Chévere Salsa’s Golden Era, a Visual Language

The late 1960s through the mid-’70s was a period of renaissance for the Puerto Rican community of New York City. The era saw the birth of numerous critical movements which, in spite of their global impact, have largely gone unexplored. The soundtrack to that time 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. Chévere features artwork by Adrian “Viajero” Roman and Christian Mártir.

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 to collaborations 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. In 2014, Mártir founded Sociedad Records, through which he has released a strong catalog including a series of rare recordings from the golden era of salsa and the emerging sounds of Latinx NY. Mártir launched sociedad.life in 2018, forming a group of handpicked creative curators who highlight the emerging artists and cultures of tomorrow.

Mártir’s work with El Museo del Barrio forged an ongoing partnership with the iconic Latinx cultural institution. Most recently, he debuted a video/radio show on Vans’ Channel 66 platform called “Sociedad Nueva York.” 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 he 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 – from salvaged wood and window frames to historic artifacts and vintage photographs – collected from different communities. 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 displayed objects. He is interested in the continuity of time, and in how these interventions may bring these living histories forward to the present

On view through March 6th.