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GREENSBORO, N.C., June 3 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- The Weatherspoon Art Museum presents TRANSactions: Contemporary Latin American and Latino Art, an exhibition that showcases the work of forty Latin American and Latino artists and demonstrates how, despite their differences, they commonly explore questions of identity through their own cultures and life experiences.

"TRANSactions shows that artists from Latin and South America are very much a part of the global conversation in contemporary art." said Weatherspoon director Nancy Doll. "The themes and issues they explore are of timely concern to all of us-moving across borders that are cultural, geographical and personal. Art helps us to understand and transcend difference, and we are pleased to present this exhibition in Greensboro area, which has become one of the most diverse cities in North Carolina.

TRANSactions highlights artists from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, and the United States, who work in many media and artistic disciplines. Mexican video artist Gustavo Artigas studies identity and social interaction literally in The Rules of the Game, a video showing two American basketball teams and two Mexican soccer teams negotiating space on a Tijuana basketball court as they play simultaneous games. Cultural identity is explored through nostalgia by María Fernando Cardoso, for whom memory plays a large role in her installation Cemetery-Vertical Garden, based largely on the Cementerio Central in her native Bogotá.

A number of artists reconstruct common objects or cultural icons to question predetermined identities. Perry Vasquez and Victor Payan borrow from R. Crumb's iconic comic book, "Keep on Truckin'," to satirize border politics in their installation, Keep on Crossin'. In Untitled (Superama), Gabriel Kuri elevates the ephemeral to the monumental by re-creating a Wal-Mart receipt as a traditional Mexican tapestry, thereby commenting on culture and consumerism.

TRANSactions is organized by the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego (MCASD). The exhibition is made possible by the generous contributions of MCASD's International Collectors, the City of San Diego's Commission for Arts and Culture, and The James Irvine Foundation. The exhibition is accompanied by wall texts in English and Spanish and a bilingual exhibition catalogue.

TRANSactions Premiere Opening + 5th Annual Summer Solstice Party
June 20, 7-10 pm

Come toast the opening of TRANSactions and the longest day of the year in the Weatherspoon's newly remodeled sculpture garden. Enjoy Latin-inspired food and drinks (cash bar), and the music of Brazilian Soul. Free.

Latin American Film Series
Films begin at 7 pm in the Weatherspoon auditorium and include a short post-screening discussion. Seating is limited, and not all films are appropriate for young audiences. Enjoy Latin sounds by area DJs from 5:30-7 pm. Refreshments for purchase. Film admission free.

July 10: The Motorcycle Diaries

July 17: The House of Sand

July 24: Short Films: Latina Identity - Skirt Full of Butterflies, Lola, Home is Struggle

July 31: Like Water for Chocolate

Latin American Family Day
September 13, 1-4 pm
Free event for all ages celebrating Latin American and Latino art and culture. Music, performances and art-making activities.

Public museum admission and parking are free. http://weatherspoon.uncg.edu

The Weatherspoon Art Museum has one of the foremost collections of modern and contemporary art in the Southeast. Through a dynamic annual calendar of exhibitions and educational programs, the Weatherspoon provides an opportunity for audiences to consider artistic, cultural, and social issues of our time.

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