Absolut Art Bureau launched a new site-specific art bar installation by artist duo Los Carpinteros for South Beach’s vibrant Oceanfront during Art Basel Miami Beach.
Continuing the conversation outdoors, Absolut Art Bureau presented Güiro.
Absolut Art Bureau collaborated this year with the Cuban-born, Madrid-based Marco Castillo and Dagoberto Rodriguez, the artist collective known as los Carpinteros, to present an art bar installation conceived as Gesamtkunstwerk.
Güiro was located on the Oceanfront, home to art-related activities programmed by Art Basel for the past 10 years, and flanked by Art Basel Miami Beach’s Art Public featuring outdoor works and performances in Collins Park.
Los Carpinteros’ large-scale construction drew on the concept of an open-air art bar inspired by the güiro, the ubiquitous Cuban percussion instrument made from a dried hard- shell, tropical fruit, invented by the pre-Colombian Taíno inhabitants of Cuba. It is also the word used in Cuban slang to connote a party.
Oval in shape, the slatted structure was lit from within to emphasize its gridded design. Its rectangular openings will function as seating for visitors, while its centre was occupied by a round bar complete with Absolut cocktails.
Güiro was accompanied by a curated program of live music, performances and activities for an immersive experience of all senses. Distinguished Mallorcan composer Joan valent conceived a special program of music highlighting the sounds of the güiro instrument to give visitors a sense of the inspiration behind the visual artists’ creation on all fronts.
Credits:
Güiro: an art bar installation by Los Carpinteros In collaboration with Absolut Art Bureau 5 – 8 December 2012 Open daily 5pm – 2am Oceanfront, Miami Beach www.absolutartbureau.com
Live performance by Joan Valent at Güiro, 5 December 2012 © Los Carpinteros Courtesy Sean Kelly, New York/Absolut Art Bureau Photo: Roberto Chamorro
