The Naum Knop Foundation (Buenos Aires, Argentina) has announced its upcoming and much-awaited show, the Legacy Exhibition. The project, curated by Eugenia Garay Basualdo, will showcase the works of seventeen distinguished representatives of 20th-century Argentine art. It will open for the general public on Saturday, September 23 at 7:00 p.m. as part of the Buenos Aires Night of Museums 2023. The VIP preview for press and special guests will take place on September 22.
The exhibition will feature the art of Magda Frank, Jose Fioravanti, Miguel Angel Vidal, Ary Brizzi, Pascual Buigues, Pablo Curatella Manes, Eduardo Mac Entyre, Martin Blaszko, Ruben Locaso, Carmelo Arden Quin, Juan Del Prete, Eugenia (Yente) Crenovich, Naum Knop, Libero Badii, Jorge Dermijian, Germanie Dercbecq, Walter Gavito.
The Legacy Exhibition is conceived by the heirs and legatees of the artists, who have come together with a common goal of preserving and promoting their predecessors’ artistic legacy through exhibitions, research, and dissemination.
The central idea around which the exhibition is built is that a substantial part of the art world consists of the collections bequeathed by artists after their passing. The heirs who safeguard these collections, often encounter the challenge of upholding the ongoing recognition of these artists within the art system and institutional frameworks.
Eugenia Garay Basualdo’s curatorial approach takes a historical perspective on contemporary art, offering fresh interpretations and connections that enable the continued appreciation and study of long-overlooked treasures.
The selection of works presents an anthology that spans pivotal moments in Argentine art history, allowing for a deep exploration of individual artistic trajectories as well as the emergence of distinctive stylistic trends and avant-garde movements.
This comprehensive analysis also illuminates the conceptual and visual reverberations of these works in contemporary art expressions, emphasizing the enduring relevance and significance of these visionary artists.
The Legacy Exhibition will be accompanied by a diverse public program featuring discussion tables that will shed light on the activities of the heirs and legatees to promote the artworks in their possession.
The first Discussion Table, scheduled for September 28 at 6:30 pm, will explore the dissemination of the legacy. This event will bring to the forefront the efforts made by the heirs in preserving and promoting artistic heritage.
The second Discussion Table, on October 26 at 6:30 pm, is titled “The History of Art and the Problem of the Validity of Artists Through Studies and Exhibitions.” Prominent art historians will come together to engage in a conversation about the impact of research, exhibitions, and studies on artists’ reputations. The participation of different heirs in these discussions will add a unique perspective to the dialogue.
For those interested in gaining deeper insights into the works of each artist, guided tours have been planned. Led by curator Eugenia Garay Basualdo and artistic director Florencia Martínez, these tours will allow participants to closely analyze the artworks and understand their significance. The guided tours are scheduled on, October 12, November 7, and November 16, all starting at 6:30 pm.
The exhibition will run through December 15, 2023.
Photo courtesy of The Naum Knop Foundation
Featured image: Martin Blaszko. Dinámica espacial, 2004
Image 2: Eduardo Mac Entyre. Ritmos sobre azul, 2000