“Aizan” by Edouard Duval-Carrié What is the purpose of art? Is it to inspire? Is it meant to make us think? Is art creation anything other than the artist’s need to express herself? Is seeking out art in galleries, museums, and artist studios a way for us to process ideas that may be too complicated to express in words? Is art a way for artists to earn a living, regardless of how meager or plentiful? For art collectors to make Read More…

Recovering drought-resistant succulent by Pascal Giacomini Sometimes you feel like you can’t bear another day—of the crazy-making combination of hopelessness and outrage over the near-constant “breaking news” stories that feel like hammer blows to every last speck of decency left on this earth; of the universal horror experienced by usually-decent citizens upon learning that a building in their neighborhood will be transformed into permanent housing for the homeless; of watching the poorest among us having to put up with extreme Read More…

 On a recent trip to Paris, I had the good fortune to visit the Fondation Louis Vuitton (FLV), which describes itself as “a private cultural initiative”. In essence, it is a private museum housed in a dynamic and formidable Frank Gehry construction apparently inspired by an ice glacier. (Mission accomplished!) FLV is currently hosting an awe-inspiring exhibition of contemporary African art titled Art/Afrique, Le Nouvel Atelier or Art/Africa, The New Atelier. This exhibit is a destination point affair; in other words, Read More…

As Valentine’s Day approaches, our minds turn to love. For some of us that means What am I going to get him for Valentine’s Day? For others, it’s I wonder if he’s going to remember to get me something? Me? This year I’ve been thinking about love in Haiti, where I come from, the land of Vodou (aka Voodoo). Did you just get a chill up your spine at the mention of the word? Like maybe someone sticking pins in dolls? Just to Read More…

The New York Times recently reported on the incidence of artists and dealers taking their galleries to the streets in vans, RVs and trucks. Why? For the obvious reasons–sky-piercing rents in New York City; artists sick of waiting for a gallery invitation; renegades wanting to turn convention on its head; mooning the establishment is fun! The democratization of the creative is in full bloom. Unknown and über-famous artists in the literary, cinematic and musical realms are no longer waiting around Read More…