Sociedad Social Club Presents: Chevére, an exhibition

Chevére, an exhibition
Salsa’s golden era, a visual language

The late 1960’s up through the mid 1970’s was a renaissance period for the Puerto Rican community of New York City. This period saw the birth of a number of critical movements which, in spite of their global impact, have largely gone unexplored. The soundtrack to that era was undoubtedly salsa, a genre and culture birthed in New York City.

This exhibition pays homage to the visual language used  in record designs, posters, and other cultural artifacts developed during Salsa’s golden era. Chevére features artwork by Adrian “Viajero” Roman and Christian Mártir.

About:

Over the last decade, Christian Mártir has spread his love for his culture everywhere from Madison Square Garden to Mexico City. His work as a DJ has led him to collaborate with a number of labels including the iconic Fania Records, Daptone, Fat Beats, and Big Crown. He holds court, along with his partners, at his monthly “A Party Called Rosie Perez” in Brooklyn, which has been featured in various publications including The New York Time, The Village Voice, and Remezcla.

In 2014 he founded Sociedad Records through which he has released a strong catalog that includes a series of rare recordings from the golden era of salsa and the emerging sounds of Latinx NY.

In 2018 he launched Sociedad.life, a creative group of handpicked curators that highlight the emerging artists and cultures of tomorrow. Sociedad has partnered and consulted with various brands including HBO Latino, Nike, and Reebok. His work with El Museo del Barrio was highlighted in the New York Times and forged an ongoing partnership with the iconic Latinx cultural institution. Most recently, he debuted a video/radio show on Vans’ Channel 66 platform.

Adrian “Viajero” Roman‘s work is informed by issues of race, migration and identity while exploring both the personal and historical memory of the two disparate worlds inhabits: the tropical landscape of Puerto Rico and the overpopulated cityscape of New York. His practice combines drawing, painting and sculpture within immersive installation environments composed of objects collected from different communities, from salvaged wood and window frames to historic artifacts and vintage photographs. The resulting environments can fill an entire wall or an entire room, and often incorporate sound and aromatics that draw upon the history and memory embedded in the objects. He is interested in the continuity of time, and in how these interventions may bring these living histories forward to the present.