DE LA CRUZ COLLECTION CONTEMPORARY ART SPACE SHARES A MESSAGE OF HOPE AND ITS ONLINE COLLECTION
Due to events of public knowledge, the de la Cruz Collection had to close their doors, but their commitment to the arts and sharing of knowledge is a strong, or stronger, than ever. Here’s their statement:
“Dear Friends,
Over 15 years ago, we took on what many considered an unconventional initiative. Recognizing the unique potential of sharing our collection, we opened our home. Blurring the line between public and private, we wanted to bring people together and foster a space for education and dialogue. In 2009, we built our museum in the Design District, the de la Cruz Collection.
Now, more than ever, we remain committed to fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas. In these challenging times, communication is vital in bringing us together. While we may be more aware of the distance between us, it does not mean we are alone. Art has and will always be a gracious companion in dark times.
In 1993, Félix González-Torres sent us a photograph of the sky. Enclosed in the envelope was a sheet of light blue paper where he had written his wishes for that summer in pencil. Félix's letter came to us at a time of fear and uncertainty, as the AIDS epidemic had devastated the New York art scene and weighed heavily on his own mortality. It reads:
A possible horizon
Light blue balmy skies
Blue warm light waters
This simple gesture was a powerful expression of hope; a wish for the summer - a reminder of the sun that continues to rise on new horizons.
While the de la Cruz Collection remains closed until further notice, we encourage you to visit our website and various social platforms to learn more about our current exhibition, From Day to Day, as well as our educational initiatives and programming. Art is a symptom of its time. We hope that in sharing our collection it may cast a light and inspire many possible bright futures.
We look forward to a new day and to welcoming you back to the de la Cruz Collection.
-Rosa and Carlos de la Cruz, 2020”
CURRENT EXHIBITION:
From Day to Day
2019-2020
Grown up?- Never-never-!
Like existence itself
which never matures
staying always green
from splendid day to splendid day -
I can only stay true
to the stupendous monotony
of the mystery.
That’s why I’ve never abandoned myself
to happiness,
that’s why
in the anxiety of my sins
I’ve never been touched
by real remorse.
Equal, always equal,
to the inexpressible
at the very source
of what I am.
—Pier Paolo Pasolini, Diary, 1957
Félix González-Torres gave us Pier Paolo Pasolini’s book Roman Poems, which is as relevant today as it was at the time it was written. Pasolini’s work challenges socially constructed norms of identity, class, race, and intellectualism. He rejected narrow interpretations of the status quo for his earnest love of reality. He believed in the ‘anarchy of power’ and that politicians should turn to artists for guidance. Ligon's neon work is the first of a series of works inspired by Pasolini’s project that was unrealized, Notes for a Poem on the Third World. Much like Pasolini, Ligon is interested in what lies in the margins of Western culture, creating gestural work which ambiguously expresses protest and plea. These passages speak to the spirit of many of the artists within the collection whose work transcends categorization. We focus on art which questions issues that are relevant today and establish relationships which give preference to the voice of the artists.
—Rosa and Carlos de la Cruz, 2019
Artists in the Exhibition
Tauba Auerbach, Hernan Bas, Walead Beshty, Mark Bradford, Joe Bradley, Dan Colen, Martin Creed, Aaron Curry, Salvador Dalí, Peter Doig,Tomm El-Saieh, Isa Genzken, Félix González-Torres, Mark Grotjahn, Jennifer Guidi, Wade Guyton, Guyton/Walker, Rachel Harrison, Arturo Herrera, Jim Hodges, Thomas Houseago, Alex Israel, Israel/Smith, Rashid Johnson, Alex Katz, Martin Kippenberger, Wifredo Lam, Glenn Ligon, Michael Linares, Nate Lowman, Adam McEwen, Ana Mendieta, Albert Oehlen, Paulina Olowska, Gabriel Orozco, Laura Owens, Jorge Pardo, Seth Price, Rob Pruitt, Sterling Ruby, Dana Schutz, Josh Smith, Reena Spaulings, Rudolf Stingel, Rufino Tamayo, Cosima von Bonin, Kelley Walker, Christopher Wool.
