Flamenco visions inspire San Diego Airport art exhibit

The paintings of Madrid born graphics artist Julia San Román are on display at San Diego International Airport's (SAN) West End Galley. The "Cante Jondo" large format installation includes an audio track and evoke a metaphoric expression of birds taking flight.

According to the artist, who currently lives in the foothills of the Laguna Mountains in East San Diego County, but maintains her connections to Spain through annual visits, the romantic abstract imagery draws upon the polarity of darkness and light, rhythmic Flamenco hand clapping, and a "poetic emotion, filled with primitive and earthly intensity, an uncontrolled and pure cry free of walls."

CAPTIONS: (ABOVE LEFT) Cando Jondo exhibit poster at West End Gallery (Photo by Joel Siegfried;  (BELOW RIGHT) Julia San Román (Photo by Joel Siegfried); (BELOW LEFT) Flamenco guitarist Paco Sevilla (Photo by Joel Siegfried); (BELOW RIGHT BOTTOM) Susanna Hernandez Peredo (Photo by Joel Siegfried)

A slide show of the Julia San Román art exhibit opening follows this article.

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The hypnotic, muted colors drew viewers into the kinetic scenes with joyful vibrations. Judging from the audience reaction at the recent opening reception, the intense images were a huge success. Many of the four by four foot and larger paintings have since been sold. Viewers packed the intimate gallery space, which is tucked next to the Delta Air Lines counters just outside of the security checkpoint at the west end upper level of Terminal 2. They enjoyed a refreshment table set with Spanish tapas,  including fruits, cheeses, sliced meats, and Tortilla Espagnol, a fine selection of wines, while acoustic guitarist Paco Sevilla played background music. There was also Flamenco clapping by Marisol Fuentes and La Reyes from the "Olé Flamenco" dance school.

Ms. San Román cited influences of lemon trees from the nearby towns of Lakeside and Alpine, the strong Flamenco community in San Diego, her Spanish roots, a love of romanticism, poetic moments, and expressing feelings over thoughts. The work can indeed be enjoyed viscerally, much like a sunset, or a breeze through a fragrant meadow, for the feelings these events produce.

"Cante Jondo", the exhibition's title, is a gypsy version of the Spanish expression "cante hondo", which means deep singing, and is an ancient and austere musical form that is held to be deeper in spirituality than more recent Flamenco melodies. The free exhibit will remain at the West End Gallery until October 2010. It is available to both travelers and visitors to San Diego International Airport.

Under the direction of Art Program Manager Constance V. White, assisted by Susanna Hernandez Peredo, San Diego International Airport has a very active public arts program which includes five graphic arts display spaces and numerous free standing works throughout the airport property. The newest exhibit space is the West End Gallery in Terminal Two West, which opened in April 2009, and is dedicated to displaying the works of international talent.

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