Arthouses in Kaya Kaya Festival 2023
The ultra-popular Kaya Kaya Festival in Curaçao is taking place on Saturday, September 2, 2023, and is celebrating its 5th anniversary. Fine art by local artists has always been a big part of the festival.
Local and international artists are commissioned for large murals, and empty properties are transformed by the artists and used for art exhibitions. However, this is the first time these pop-up galleries are opening their doors before the big festival and can be visited the entire week, starting Monday, August 28, between 5 and 9 PM.
The festival occurs in Otrobanda, and the art houses are at different locations. We have seen them among others in Quintastraat and Keizershof in Hoogstraat, but there should be many more. Over 50 local artists, youngsters, and creatives are participating.
Next to the new murals, the ‘colorful steps ‘-stairs by Avantia Damberg has been redone with colored tiles.
Galeria 7 is located in Quintastraat, and the 7 participants are Zarja Garmers-Rojer, Quirine Guato, Olinda Hartogh-Gonesh, Rochelle Monte, Alexine Tjon and Channon Toulon.
Quintastraat has several arthouses, and we saw artworks by teenager Kaïah Maduro. Youngster Raïm Phelipa is participating with paintings in the same arthouse as established visual artist Suzet Rosaria.
Multi-talented Aemy Niafeliz made the mural in Quintastraat of musician and singer-songwriter Kimu Candelaria (1915-1994) with the lyrics of his song ‘Para Pretu’. The inauguration took place on Monday, August 28, with Cola Debrot recipient Harry Moen performing Kimu’s song Para Pretu. Patrick Martijn of Biblioteka Nashonal researched Kimu Candelaria.
The buildings of Keizershof are filled with exhibitions by, among others, sculptors Sedney Felisie and Angelique Felisie. Photographer Hubert de Palm is exhibiting in the adjacent room. His impressive pictures and joyful personality are a rare delight.
Other artists at Keizershof are painter Hilma Koelman and photographer Monique Harbers. Monique Harbers is surprising visitors with a new black-and-white series, shot in Brazil, and … beautiful new sculptures in soapstone and Curaçao limestone.
Another newcomer is the 16-year-old Jillian Sparen, who is self-taught, and his work is filled with personal symbols, ideas, and experiences.
Havenstraat 13-15, ‘Delft-blue building’, has announced an exhibition by Ron Rijks.
Fans of Rose Ann Ignacio can find her in Art House 17 (Emmastraat), together with Island Digger.
The Kaya Kaya Festival is on Saturday, September 2, 2023. On that date, the entrance to the area is only possible with a festival ticket.
The Art Houses in Otrobanda are open from Monday afternoon, August 28, till Friday, September 1, 2023.
Also on Sunday, September 3, 2023.
Between 5 – 9 PM.
The location at the viaduct (Breedestraat) is announced for September 1, between 5 and 10 PM.
You can click here for a previous post on the festival in 2019.
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