Much has been written about the new trends in photography, and after recently experiencing an installation process, as well as an exhibition by Rafael Montilla, it can certainly be said that Montilla’s works meet all the expectations of a genuine trendy photographic artist.
While at Art Emporium Gallery, Montilla’s photo exhibit named I Love You Miami, impacted all the patrons that visited the gallery, which is located in the heart of the Little Havana Art District, where cigars, rum, salsa music, and Cuban food, are part of the local scene. The area is also frequented by numerous tourists on a daily basis. Additionally, as part of the area attractions, several galleries have been established during the past ten years.
Montilla’s 2016 I Love You Miami was displayed during the traditional heat of the summer months of July and August, which went hand-in-hand with the themed exhibition. When someone thinks of Miami, it is expected that the
person can relate to water, sun, and modern structures, which Montilla managed to blend in so well with his visuals of piers, boats, and skylines.
Montilla did not stop impressing the viewers with only a themed exhibition; he also transferred his photographs onto wood, metal, and silk in order to exploit the variety of textures and media that are so trendy in photography these days. While using the wood medium, he was able to use the natural markings of the wood to emphasize the shapes of the water of the ocean on two of his boat and pier photographs, printed on wood. Another section of Montilla’s exhibition concentrated on insects beautifully photographed. These insect photos were printed on silk, which resulted on smooth, vivid photographs with outstanding highly-defined imagery.
The book that everyone signed at the entrance of the event was filled with well-deserved compliments of the show and the artist, who, from the beginning worked on a flawless installation that produced such a successful exhibit with non-stop visitors.
Vivian Perez, Director, Art Emporium
September 7, 2016
The book that
