Next week, there will be a new addition to Miami's underground multicultural scene in Little Havana with the inauguration of Mercenary Square on Friday, February 17th, 2012 from 7 to 11PM on SW 12 Avenue.
An off-the-grid forum space, Mercenary Square will inaugurate with a solo exhibition entitled "Ahol: Full-Time, " by South Florida-based artist Alouishous San Gomma also known as Ahol Sniffs Glue.
Ahol is known by his popular murals covered with drowsy eyes in the walls and street corridors of Miami in places such as The Margulies Collection, Butter Gallery but most recently his inclusion of his iconic "eyes" chosen as the symbol for the Wynwood Art Fair in October 2011.
His works are the product of his reflection about the difficulties of the urban Miami working class community trying to make ends meet and questioning the current urban environment which deprives the good and positive qualities of its people.
In this inaugural "Full-Time" exhibition, the Hialeah talent will focus on the harsh necessity of working in two jobs trying to earn a decent living.
"Ahol’s solo show marks a striking departure for the artist," said art critic Carlos Suarez de Jesus.
"For the past few years, Ahol has been working with at least two jobs including his Thursday night famous party Shake at the Vagabond but at the same time he has been feeling crushed by cubicle life far from the urban walls he prefers to paint," added Suarez de Jesus.
Suarez de Jesus also said that Ahol has been feeling drained by demands of producing regularly and routinely panels of his "eyes" like if he was on "an assembly line at a chorizo factory."
"His works are considerably more complex, varied in execution and of a much more profound conceptual nature," said Suarez de Jesus.
In "Full-Time" Ahol will be exhibiting a multi-media installation created in collaboration with Julian Yuri Rodriguez, sound sculpture works, some drawings and photos.
The site-specific video work skews consumerism, mass media marketing strategies and the evaporating boundaries between highbrow and lowbrow culture. It also references the performative nature of street mural painting within the office-like confines of a storefront in the migrant neighborhood.
Mercenary Square was initiated by artist and critic Carlos Suarez De Jesus with the hopes of introducing emerging and underrepresented artists to Little Havana and South Florida audiences in an unexpected venue with a distinct urban barrio flavor.
For the inaugural evening soiree, complimentary cocktails will be served courtesy of Don Abuelo Rum from Panama. The event will be capped by live performances by Sound Selectors: Otto Von Bass Warrior, Mr. Feathers and Jose Blue Jeans.
An After Party following the reception beginning at 11PM will continue the celebration for Mercenary Square Opening at The Vagabond located at 30 NE 14th Street, Downtown Miami.
This event is made possible thanks to Don Abuelo Rum, The Vagabond, The Barlington Group, Artdealermiami.com, Artspace MAGQ and Irreversible Magazine.
Mercenary Square, 537 SW 12th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33130.
Free Admission. Exhibit runs through March 11, 2012.
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