Features Overview

Dante Korda: Resiliencia y Creatividad Sin Límites
Almuden Ávalos (texto) Francesca Rinciari (realización)
ABC Cultural. 08/12/2020

Dante Korda es un artista visual multifacético cuyo trabajo trasciende fronteras tanto físicas como creativas. Con raíces en La Habana, Cuba, y una carrera que abarca múltiples continentes y disciplinas, su obra se define por la exploración de temas como la identidad, la memoria y la resiliencia humana. Desde el fotorealismo hasta el surrealismo, Korda utiliza la pintura, la fotografía y el cine documental para construir narrativas visuales que invitan a la reflexión.

“Siempre he creído que el arte tiene el poder de transformar tanto al creador como al espectador”, comenta Korda desde su estudio. Su proyecto más reciente, Echoes of Resilience, refleja esa convicción al enfocarse en la resistencia y la reconstrucción de comunidades frente a la adversidad. A través de murales colaborativos, Korda involucra a las comunidades locales, fomentando la inclusión y la participación activa.

Su compromiso con la sostenibilidad también es notable. “Cada material que uso cuenta una historia”, explica. Desde textiles reciclados hasta pinturas ecológicas, Korda busca minimizar el impacto ambiental de su obra, al tiempo que amplifica su mensaje sobre la importancia de cuidar nuestro planeta.

Entre sus proyectos destacados se encuentran Echoes of the Tides en Los Ángeles y Threads of Memory en Miami, ambos ejemplos de cómo el arte puede ser un puente entre la tradición y la innovación. Ahora, Korda se prepara para un nuevo desafío: un documental que explora la vida y legado de su padre, Alberto Korda, y que promete ser tan introspectivo como revolucionario.

Con un enfoque que combina técnica, narrativa y compromiso social, Dante Korda sigue marcando el camino para una nueva generación de artistas visuales.

Para más información, visita:
www.dantekorda.com

Interview with Dante Korda: Recipient of the 2007 Kodansha Morning International Grant
Date: 04 October 2007
By: DPI Cultural Desk

DPI: Dante, congratulations on receiving the Kodansha Morning International Grant! Can you tell us how this opportunity aligns with your artistic vision?

Dante Korda: Thank you! This grant is a significant milestone for me. It aligns perfectly with my vision of storytelling through art. My work often explores themes of identity, cultural intersections, and memory. The support from Kodansha allows me to push these ideas further while reaching an international audience.

DPI: The Kodansha Grant emphasizes innovative storytelling. How does your project embody that principle?

Dante Korda: My project combines photography and painting to create layered narratives that blur the line between reality and imagination. Using a photorealistic base, I incorporate surreal elements that represent the intangible aspects of personal and collective memory. This approach invites viewers to interpret the stories through their own experiences, making each encounter with the work unique.

DPI: Can you share the inspiration behind this project?

Dante Korda: The project draws from my Cuban heritage and the diasporic experiences of individuals navigating cultural dualities. It’s inspired by the stories of resilience and adaptation that I’ve witnessed in my family and community. Through art, I aim to honor these narratives while exploring their universal connections.

DPI: As an artist working internationally, how do you navigate cultural differences in your creative process?

Dante Korda: Cultural differences are a source of inspiration rather than a challenge. Each culture offers a unique lens through which to view the world. My process involves immersing myself in these perspectives, listening to local voices, and ensuring my work resonates respectfully within its cultural context.

DPI: The Kodansha Grant supports projects with the potential for cross-cultural impact. How do you envision your work achieving this?

Dante Korda: By blending universal themes like identity, memory, and resilience with culturally specific details, my work creates a bridge between diverse audiences. Art is a language that transcends borders, and I hope my project sparks dialogue and understanding across different communities.

DPI: What are the next steps in your journey as a Kodansha grant recipient?

Dante Korda: I’m currently in the production phase, experimenting with mixed media to refine the visual language of the project. The grant also offers opportunities for mentorship and collaboration, which I’m eager to explore. Ultimately, I aim to exhibit this work internationally, creating spaces where viewers can engage with its themes.

DPI: Any advice for artists aspiring to work on a global scale?

Dante Korda: Stay true to your voice, but remain open to learning from others. Seek opportunities that challenge you to grow, and always approach new cultures with humility and curiosity.

DPI: Thank you, Dante, and best of luck with your project!

Dante Korda: Thank you! I’m excited to share this journey and the stories that come from it.

For more information on Dante Korda’s work, visit:
www.dantekorda.com

Solo Exhibition: Dante Korda at Gallery Stephan Stumpf

Exhibition Dates: November 8 to December 21, 2022

Location: Gallery Stephan Stumpf, Schleißheimer Str. 44, 80333 Munich

Opening Hours: Thursday to Saturday, 15:00 - 19:00

Press Release: Solo Exhibition ‘Murmuring Lines’ by Dante Korda

Gallery Stephan Stumpf proudly presented ‘Murmuring Lines,’ a solo exhibition by internationally acclaimed artist Dante Korda, dedicated to the sublime language of images. The exhibition ran from November 8 to December 21, 2022, offering visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Korda’s evocative exploration of memory, dreams, and the intricate interplay of sense and nonsense.

Exhibition Concept

In ‘Murmuring Lines,’ Dante Korda delves into the profound and often elusive nature of images. Through drawing, he weaves together inner impulses, fragments of past memories, and scraps of dreams, creating a murmuring, inner-pictorial dialogue. This dialogue invites viewers to engage their own associations and experience fleeting fragments of the murmurs—only for them to dissolve again within the graphic fusion of contrasts: sense and nonsense, reality and absurdity, comedy and tragedy.

Artistic Exploration

The exhibition juxtaposes a variety of drawing styles, from sketchy and expressive to detailed and delicate. Despite these visual contrasts, the works maintain an underlying cohesion, prompting questions about comprehensibility. Does everything coalesce into a unified narrative, or does it remain diffuse, oscillating between mute emotions and a realm of murmuring, speaking images?

Korda’s artistry lies in this tension—his ability to evoke a visceral response while leaving room for ambiguity and interpretation.

Visitor Experience

Visitors were encouraged to let their imaginations flow, engaging with the layers of associations, fleeting impressions, and the rhythm of the drawings’ lines. Each piece acted as an entry point to a dialogue between the artist’s inner world and the viewer’s personal perspective, blurring boundaries between the two.

‘Murmuring Lines’ reaffirmed Dante Korda’s reputation as a master of visual storytelling, inviting audiences into a space where memories, dreams, and emotions intertwine, forming a symphony of images that resonate on deeply personal levels.

About Dante Korda

Dante Korda is a multifaceted and internationally acclaimed visual artist known for seamlessly blending photorealism with surrealism to create powerful, multi-dimensional works of art. Born in Havana, Cuba, Korda studied media and communication at the prestigious Academia Nacional de Bellas Artes San Alejandro, where he developed a profound appreciation for storytelling and its visual manifestations. His artistic journey spans diverse mediums, including photography, painting, sculpture, and documentary filmmaking, making him a versatile and innovative figure in the contemporary art world.

Korda’s work is deeply rooted in themes of identity, memory, cultural heritage, and the human condition. Through his art, he transforms fragments of personal experiences, dreams, and collective narratives into vibrant, thought-provoking visual stories. His compositions often juxtapose the real and the surreal, evoking a sense of tension and introspection that resonates with viewers on a deeply emotional level. Bold color palettes, intricate detailing, and an underlying sense of ambiguity define his unique aesthetic, inviting audiences to engage in a dialogue about the complexities of existence.

Community engagement is a cornerstone of Korda’s practice. He has led numerous public art projects, collaborating with local artists, educators, and residents to create works that reflect and celebrate the cultural diversity and resilience of the communities he serves. Notable projects include Echoes of the Tides in Los Angeles, a series of large-scale installations promoting environmental sustainability, Mending the Fabric of Community in Houston, which highlighted the city’s cultural richness, and Threads of Memory in Miami, an exploration of migration and shared histories.

Korda’s exhibitions, such as Murmuring Lines at Gallery Stephan Stumpf in Munich, showcase his ability to craft immersive experiences. This exhibition, dedicated to the “sublime language of images,” invited viewers to explore the interplay between memory, reality, and imagination through a series of intricate drawings and visual narratives. His works have been widely praised for their ability to evoke deep reflection while fostering meaningful connections between individuals and their shared cultural histories.

Beyond public art and exhibitions, Korda is committed to sustainable art practices, often utilizing reclaimed materials and eco-friendly techniques in his projects. His environmental consciousness is woven into his creative process, amplifying his message of responsibility and resilience in the face of global challenges.

Currently, Korda is working on a multidisciplinary documentary exploring the life and legacy of his father, renowned photographer Alberto Korda. This deeply personal project seeks to uncover untold stories, bridging art, history, and familial bonds.

With his innovative approach, technical mastery, and dedication to storytelling, Dante Korda continues to push the boundaries of visual art. His work not only captures the imagination but also serves as a platform for introspection, dialogue, and transformation, making him one of the most compelling artists of his generation.