Africa in the Americas
By Margaret Failoni, Nov 10, 2006

Photography Slideshow, “Africa in the Americas” By Sebastián Beláustegui, Tuesday, November 14, 7:30pm Galería Le Noir, Jesús 2ª, 50 pesos, reservations 152-3191

Once again, Galería Le Noir brings us an exhibition of superb images by the photographer Sebastián Beláustegui. The gallery presents an evening showing a beautiful slide show: a visual exploration of the African roots and influence in the various cultures of Latin America. 

Beláustegui is an independent documentary photographer, and since 1991 has dedicated his activity to the native world of Latin America. His best-selling book of magnificent photographs—Guardians of Time: Portraits of the Spirit of Latin America—is now followed by a new editorial project that studies the African influence on this continent. From the magical Candomble of Brazil and the Santería in Cuba to the Yungas in Bolivia and much more, Beláustegui weaves a spell as he describes with words and, better yet, with magnificent photography the importance of the African culture to this continent. The cultural heritage the African slaves brought to Latin America—their cultural and spiritual diversity, their traditions, stories, and their present—are vividly chronicled by these images that include carnivals, rituals, traditional music and dance, as well as the everyday life scenes and portraits of its people.

In this era of globalization, the traditions of the ethnic minority groups are disappearing. So the main objective of this documentary photography exhibit is to give these cultures a platform for themselves, to awaken respect for these peoples and a consciousness of the value of their presence as a treasure of the continent and humanity. 

This evening at Galería LeNoir will enable us to touch lightly the colorful, creative and inventive world of the African cultures in the Americas.

Mujeres Fuertes 

Art Opening, Works by Sallie Latch, Music by Ballet Folklorico

Saturday, November 11, 6pm, Villas de Allende 

Libramiento a Dolores Hidalgo, Km 3

Sallie Latch shows work featuring paintings created during the past six years while living in India as well as in Mexico. The show, "Mujeres Fuertes" (Strong Women), spans not only two distinct continents but covers great social distances as well.