From 2 to 7 of December 2014, Miami was the world’s capital of Art. Art Basel was the place to be and many people were there just for the Art. I must say that Miami, which is more of a Latin than an American city, is the right place for such an event.
Just imagine a city of Caribbean, Latin American and Haitian people who are known for their artistic and intellectual affinity. The Magic City reminds me of a Haitian city called Jacmel, which is an “open sky art exhibit.” In this Haiti’s southern touristic city, art is everywhere and galleries are as common as barbershops. For the Art Basel week, Miami was Jacmel. Many places were set up for art shows and every common object looked like artwork.
On December 5th, I’ve been to Art Basel and the first museum I visited was MOCA in North Miami. Personally, I like to go to Art Basel. Because I am very curious to see what human mind can create, invent. I want to be wowed, surprised, amazed; I want to see something I’ve never seen before. That’s how the human spirit is. I can tell that I was very surprised by the artworks I have seen this year. I have seen many artworks before and I like to say that nothing can impress me anymore in this area. Art Basel always proves me wrong. The artists are always pushing the limit of human spirit and creativity.
However, each time I go to MOCA for an exhibit, I am somehow disappointed to see that Haitian art is not on display. Haitian art is as good and famous as Cuban, African or European art. I have been living in Miami for three years and I have never seen a Haitian art exhibition showcased in this museum that is located in a city controlled by Haitians! I have seen all kinds of artworks in MOCA except Haiti’s art.
During Art Basel, there was an African art exhibit. Although African art is closer to Haiti than German or Japanese, but still. In Little Havana, most of the art exhibits are Cuban or Latin American. Why should it be different in Little Haiti or North Miami where there is a concentration of Haitians? Same thing with Little Haiti Cultural Center. The only thing Haitian in this center is probably the name. Though it is called “Little Haiti Cultural Center”, you will not find anybody speaking Creole at the front desk, for example. It would be unthinkable not to find anyone speaking Spanish in a cultural center in Little Havana. However, contrary to MOCA Museum, they sometimes have some Haitian art exhibits, and every third Friday of the month Haiti is in the spotlight in the “Big Night in Little Haiti” event.
Jonel Juste
jonelblog 
This was a lovely blog postt
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