Tito Matos: Una Vida Plena
Photograph by Ivelisse Jimenez, Installation view of Una Vida Plena in La Goyco, 2022
Tito Matos: Una Vida Plena
Curator: Mariana Reyes in collaboration with La Goyco’s La Casa de la Plena
Artists: José Luis Gutiérrez Reyes, Ivelisse Jimenes, Noelia Quintero.
Mural unveiling by Molly Crapapple and Miguel Trelles
Dates: April 21 - June 26, 2023
Opening Reception: April 21,6:30-8pm
Members Preview: 6-6:30pm
Gallery: Abrazo Gallery at The Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural Center
New York City– The Clemente is a proud supporter and collaborator of the late Tito Matos’ last important project La Casa de la Plena: a cultural and research space dedicated to the history of Puerto Rico plena and its performance. For this exhibition we partner with longtime collaborator Mariana Reyes, as the curator of Una Vida Plan, who together with La Goyco make homage to his legacy and the arts and cultural significance of la Plena in Puerto Rico and the world. A trans-local partnership with La Casa de la plena kicking off with this exhibition in NYC April 21st and culminating in June with Tito Matos Festival in Puerto Rico.
Opening April 21, 2023, Tito Matos: Una vida plena, is an exhibition comprising a collection of everyday objects that reflects some of the life force of this important musician and multi-faceted artist, who left us in January of 2022.
From Matos’ shirts, to his instruments, and other everyday items and tools, the gallery’s narrative highlights Tito’s prodigious talent, and his many achievements including diplomas, awards, newspaper clippings, and songs.
The project, developed by José Luis Gutiérrez with the curatorial advice of Mariana Reyes, is part of the collective mourning process after Tito’s untimely passing.
The gallery will also feature a piece by the Puerto Rican artist Ivelisse Jiménez, part of a collaboration with Tito. Three video-podcast episodes of La casa de la plena Tito Matos: Gente Tropical, produced by Jonathan Vázquez and Noelia Quintero, will be recorded at The Clemente.
Tito Matos was a long-time and steadfast friend of The Clemente, and as part of this celebratory exhibition musicians from La casa de la plena Tito Matos -including Joksan Ramos, Moncho Rey and Emanuel Santana- will join us during the opening with a live performance.
¡Tito Matos presente!
This program is made possible in part by funding from the New York City Council’s Cultural Immigrant Initiative in partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs.
