From Night to Day: Concordia Studio Explores the Passage of Time Through Landscape
Installation view of 05:59. Photography by Cary Whittier. Courtesy of Concordia Studio.
Concordia Studio is a pop-up gallery and exhibition space that promotes emerging and mid-career Latin American artists internationally. Through curated shows and interdisciplinary experiences within exhibits, Concordia acts as a platform to create new opportunities for collectors and artists in New York City.
Founded by Danielle Juliao in 2023, Concordia opened its second group exhibition 05:59 at the New Art Dealers Alliance Exhibition Space on October 17th, and the exhibition will run through November 7th. Curated by Juliao and Martin Isaza, the show explores the passage of time, highlighting subtle changes in light and landscape.
In this exclusive with IMPULSE Magazine, Juliao and Isaza talk about the mission of Concordia, the process of curating this new show, and the importance of innovative spaces within the art scene.
Installation view of 05:59. Photography by Cary Whittier. Courtesy of Concordia Studio.
Montserrat Miranda Ayejes: When and how was Concordia Studio founded?
Danielle Juliao: Concordia was founded in April 2023, during a pivotal moment in my career. At the time, I was working as a freelance fashion producer and brand consultant, and my business was growing rapidly. To develop it further, I needed to either establish my own agency or focus on a project that truly reflected my interests and passions. I recognized the need for pop-up exhibition spaces that primarily showcase emerging and mid-career Latin American artists who are not based in New York City. That’s how Concordia emerged.
Our first major exhibition took place in September 2023, featuring a group show of artists from various cities in Latin America, each working in different mediums. 05:59 is Concordia’s second exhibition, curated by Martin and me.
MMA: Why did you name this project Concordia?
DJ: Concordia means harmony in Latin, and our mission is to collaborate harmoniously with curators, artists, and professionals from other creative industries. Through a bespoke program of activities that includes wine tasting and writing workshops, among others, we welcome a new audience that might not come to the show otherwise. We want Concordia to be a place where everyone can come and feel welcome.
Installation view of 05:59. Photography by Cary Whittier. Courtesy of Concordia Studio.
MMA: Can you tell us more about the process of curating 05:59?
Martin Isaza: We began working on the exhibition in April. Danielle and I have known each other for a few years; we studied together at Parsons, and this was our first collaboration.
The show features six Colombian artists who explore landscape themes through various perspectives and mediums: Margarita Gutierrez, Teresa Sánchez, Ana Mosseri, Juan Rodríguez Varón, Alejandro Sintura, and Luisa Montoya. The title symbolizes the moment when night transitions to day, capturing the interplay of light and color in the landscape. The show reflects the passage of time and offers a reimagined vision of the traditional landscape genre.
MMA: How was the process of selecting the pieces?
MI: While we primarily focus on painting, the exhibition also includes sculptures and drawings. The palette of color was very important to us when selecting the pieces, as the color in the landscape changes throughout the day. Each of the pieces captures the essence of time.
Installation view of 05:59. Photography by Cary Whittier. Courtesy of Concordia Studio.
MMA: The show features artists from different generations. How did you balance contemporary artists with more established ones?
DJ: All the works in the exhibition are connected; they engage in a dialogue with one another. Some of the older artists are professors and colleagues of the younger generation, and you can see their influence on these emerging artists. They all have built a community in Bogotá.
MI: The youngest artist in the show is 24, while Margarita Gutierrez and Teresa Sanchez are in their seventies. Both were pioneers of the Geometric Abstraction movement in Colombia. Today, they have a renewed interest in nature and landscape, yet you can always find geometric lines in their pieces. Their work transcends any single genre, which is why they are included in the show. The exhibition's theme allows us to showcase artists from various generations, and it's also a depiction of the current art landscape in Bogotá.
MMA: As dealers, how do you view the market for contemporary emerging Latin American artists?
DJ: There’s definitely interest in this market, especially since we are showcasing pieces and artists new to the city. Collectors who focus on Latin American art and are familiar with the market recognize the significance of promoting these artists. We are very pleased with the turnout of the exhibition and the interest it received from local collectors. The support of NADA has been invaluable and helped us expand our audience as well.
MMA: What other projects are on the horizon for Concordia?
DJ: We are currently working on new projects with artists from other countries in Latin America, and we would like to expand Concordia to new countries.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
05:59 is on view at 311 E Broadway, 2nd Fl, New York from October 17th to November 7th, 2024. Concordia Studio can be found on Instagram @concordia.nyc.
