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Chiara Saldívar Promotes Unity Through Urban Art
Chiara Saldívar, the founder and driving force behind Wynwood Embassy, organizes art projects with a focus on urban art. She believes strongly that urban art can play an active role in community building and foster cultural exchange. For Miami Art Week 2014, Saldívar is working on a major group exhibition, mural project and a variety of workshops involving local nonprofit organizations.
By Heike Dempster
Heike Dempster - Where are you from, how long have you been in Miami and what do you love most about this city?
Chiara Saldívar - I was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. I have been in Miami for over 12 years. I love Miami’s contrast of cultures, the weather in the winter. Miami has been my university for the past decade. I made really good friends here who I consider family.
H.D. - When did you create Wynwood Embassy and what sparked the idea initially?
C. S. - I was always crafty and curious. Year by year I would try something new, painting, drawing, model making, photography. As I was growing up, every Christmas, my mother used to give me a blank one-year planner from UNICEF. I loved looking at the different photographs of countries and beautiful exotic faces, almost reading their soul through the image. That is where my interest for cultural diversity and unity stems from. I created World Embassy four years ago. I always supported different scenes and movements locally. My brain kept going in the direction of bringing the different creative ecosystems to one production, but a goal without a plan is just a wish. I formally registered my company in 2013 as ‘Wynwood Embassy,’ inspired by Wynwood, my new work area and living playground. The initials ‘W.E.’ reinforce the concept of collaboration and wholeness. My mission is to inspire through creativity involving different groups.
Chiara Saldívar (CHIARAPODERI), founder of Wynwood Embassy, curates street art projects worldwide. Here with a work by Canadian street artist Garbage Beauty. "Shoot for the Moon,” exhibition at Mana Wynwood Production Village. Miami Art Week, December 2013. All projects were curated by Chiara Saldívar (CHIARAPODERI). Photos: Redmund Flores, Diana Larrea and the artists. Courtesy of Wynwood Embassy.
H.D. - What was your relationship to urban art prior to starting the Wynwood Embassy project?
C.S. - For 15 years I went to a private Catholic school. I did not tag trains, and I was far from being a vandal. I knew the two main graffiti writers in Caracas. One was Ore and the other one was Hase aka Sergio Barrios, who I still remain friends with. I wanted to know where they painted the last piece, which was more risky, and if one was going to cover the other’s work. They were both very talented and even did pieces where they mentioned and thanked the cops for letting them finish the final touches a few times without taking them to jail. In 2010, I ended up working at Joey’s and then Wynwood Kitchen & Bar. I had the fortune to meet the artists while they were creating the Wynwood Walls. Seeing and witnessing what they do was delightful. I admired them and asked as many questions as possible. A year later I met a friend, Jeremiah Talor, who encouraged me to try painting walls. We painted a few murals together in Caracas and in Miami, and then I painted some on my own. Even though we painted legally, it was in a sense brave, and brave is beautiful. I would work at the restaurant and I would day dream about those brilliant creations I wanted to bring to life. Being curious and having an artistic mind in the environment I was in pushed me to follow through, until one day I decided to take the risk to quit my job and follow my passion.
Mural by Canadian street artist Omen from Canada. "Shoot for the Moon,” exhibition Miami Art Week, December 2013.
H.D. - What aspects of urban art and street art speak to you the most?
C.S. - Just walking in the streets and then spontaneously running into a new piece is amazing. You are shocked by the colors and perspective. It is there for everybody to see. It is a gift. Urban art is magical. It turns a concrete plain wall into a masterpiece that has a person’s touch and soul behind it. So much freedom, creativity, expression, excitement, rush and bravery.
German street-art duo Herakut: HERA (Jasmin) and AKUT (Falk).
H.D. - Please tell us more about the mural project and group show you organized during Miami Art Week 2013.
C.S. - For “Shoot for the Moon,” I reached out to many of my favorite street artists from all over the world. I wanted the United Nations of street art. I organized 35 wall spaces. I talked to people about my project, seeking advice and convincing business owners to lend me their walls. I told the artists they could have a wall, but they would have to bring small canvases to be shown in the pop-up gallery I was going to put together at Mana Production Village. The artists had great exposure through “Shoot for the Moon.” The lineup included over 45 artists, like Aleksey Kislow from the Ukraine, Dilak & Duek from Venezuela, Mike Maka and Cherie Strong from Australia, Leza One from Switzerland, Alex Senna from Brazil, and Miami artists like Buddha Funk, Diana Contreras and Trek Six. I am setting up a show again this year at Mana Wynwood, this time to host a solo show by German street-art duo Herakut. I named this upcoming event “Voice,” and the dates are Nov. 29 and 30 for the mural workshop and Dec. 4 to 6, 2014, for the show.
Who do they think they are fooling? You? Mural by Dustin SPAGNOLA (Asheville NC). "Shoot for the Moon,” exhibition Miami Art Week, December 2013. Building at 2060 NW 1st Avenue Miami, Florida.
H.D. - What does the “Voice” project entail?
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C.S. - Herakut will produce one giant solo mural, and they will be sharing photographs of their traveling book. They have taught art to refugees in Jordan and children in many other countries with the help of AptART. Herakut are keen on leading workshops. Wynwood Embassy will be hosting a separate mural workshop with the students of ‘Here’s Help,’ and their life coach, Jodie González, who runs their recovery through cultural-education program. David McCauley, founder of Rise Up, will be collaborating in the workshop and production of this program. “Voice” will also feature an installation by ‘Found & Lost’ with Michelle Woodey and Nerea Martínez de Lecea, Herakut live painting, installations, lectures, a book and poster signing, and many more stunning surprises we have for our community and international guests.
Together Guilty, by German street artist Dome. "Shoot for the Moon,” exhibition Miami Art Week, December 2013. Wall at Mana Wynwood Production Village, 318 NW 23rd Street. Miami Florida.
H.D. - What attracted you to the work of Herakut?
C.S. - Feeling. There are really no words to describe their work. I saw their mural in Downtown Miami a couple of years ago, and I continued to follow their work and their travels. It is infatuating. They are unique in style and extremely talented. They transmit a great message through their work. They travel from country to country, where they not only paint, but teach and collaborate with communities that need it the most. In all of their work stages, I see truth.
Migration, by Kislow (Ukraine). "Shoot for the Moon,” exhibition Miami Art Week, December 2013. Miami Ad School’s wall at 571 NW 28th Street. Wynwood Art District, Miami.
H.D. - The Herakut aesthetic is slightly dark, haunting and driven by narrative. How do you see their work connecting with Miami, and what makes that connection significant?
C.S. - Herakut’s works express reality and boldness through their fantasy characters. The artists have traveled, and they have seen beauty and grief in many forms. They have brought hope and color to where hope and color had been abandoned. Miami Art Week welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors, and we have the tools to use this opportunity as a microphone. To me, it is about the encouragement to unite and to acknowledge the mission of spreading a positive message together, consciously or subconsciously. What else can you do for anyone but to inspire them?
Mural by French street artist Seth. "Shoot for the Moon,” exhibition Miami Art Week, December 2013. Wall at Mana Wynwood Production Village, 318 NW 23rd Street. Miami Florida.
H.D. - What narrative do you envision for this project?
C.S. - We are the voice of our children, we are the voice of our planet, we are the voice of the fire within, we are the voice of peace, we together are the voice of the power of human kindness, we are the voice of truth.
H.D. - How do you observe the changes and developments in the neighborhood, and what do you predict for the future of Wynwood?
C.S. - The neighborhood evolved dramatically fast in a very short period of time, not only culturally but commercially. It’s exploited. I have heard and experienced critiques about drunken crowds on the weekends, the traffic and expensive real state. Even the term ‘street art’ sounds a little generic nowadays. It’s not about the neighborhood so much anymore, and that is frustrating. There are many debates and ongoing controversy about this subject. There are also ironies like the middle school in Wynwood, Jose De Diego Middle School, which has no art program. Luckily, Patrick Walsh, president of the Wynwood Arts District Association, and Wynwood Map developer Robert de los Ríos are doing a great project. They will host a fundraiser reception to kick-start funding to reestablish an art program at the school, and they will work with over 30 artists to paint the entire school. I am impressed and excited about what they are doing. It is already a success. Wynwood has made Miami one of the street-art meccas, recognized worldwide, but at the same time we should continue the movement in places where it is not so overdone, cherish other lands. There have been many street-art festivals everywhere lately. Leaders utilize murals to revive areas. There are more politics than I thought in this field, but overall I think it is great that more and more individuals are being encouraged to be part of this revolutionary movement.
Mural by Steep (Ecuador). "Shoot for the Moon,” exhibition Miami Art Week, December 2013.
H.D. - What do you want to achieve going forward with Wynwood Embassy projects?
C.S. - My goal is to produce one or two events a year. My mission will always be to bring creative groups together, highlight in the remembrance that we should not compete, we should unite. To anyone who is reading this, pursue the fire within. You can achieve anything with faith, courage and action. If you are on the path of bringing your dreams to life, don’t get discouraged if you stumble. Stay optimistic and stay powerful. Realize that taking a step backward after taking two steps forward is not a disaster. It is more like you are dancing the cha-cha.
“Voice”, by German street-art duo Herakut will be on view at Mana Wynwood Production Village, located at 318 NW 23rd Street. Miami Florida. “Voice” opens with a mural workshop on November 29 and 30. The show runs from December 4 to 6, 2014.
