By Vanessa Lantos Daly (Spicy Melon)
Sometimes, when an artistic collective joins their talents to put together an exhibition, it’s difficult to predict the end result. There are so many personalities and inspirations to consider.
On this occasion, the result is something remarkable.
Cielo y Tierra, which translates to Sky and Earth, is a collaboration by 20 Latin and Native American artists. These artists are part of the Savannah art collective named SoyxSoy.
Let’s get real for a quick minute: This exhibition is amazing.
It’s not only beautiful; there are pieces hanging from the ceiling: clouds, sparkling rain, paintings, and “Chaotic Arrows,” which evoke the energy of lightning. There’s a weaving of textures and sculptural earth elements, like mushrooms, in every corner. The artists not only brought their own pieces but also created an interwoven sculptural installation representing the sky and the earth. The background sounds, inspired by a rainy tropical forest, were produced by Manni Simon.
Just in time to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place yearly from September 15th to October 15th, this show is FREE and open to the public until November 9th! So come downtown, grab yourself a lunch or coffee, and let yourself be amazed by some wonderful art.
SoyxSoy translates to “I am as I am” in Spanish and currently has nearly 30 members. This collective started in 2022 and has since become a wonderful community for these artists.
I had the pleasure of meeting Alexis Javier and chatting about the exhibit: “Adriana Iris Boatwright was the one who presented the idea of an immersive experience to the group. She also came up with the name Cielo y Tierra back in January. The seed was planted in everyone’s head then, but the first official meeting happened in July because of other art exhibits in progress at the Jepson Center.”
Alexis Javier, known locally as AJ, is the lead curator for the exhibit at the Savannah Cultural Arts Center. He’s also a good friend, always involved in local art projects and exhibits. He even filmed this video with a short walk-through of the exhibition!
This exhibit has been on display since its opening reception on Friday the 13th and has received nothing but praise. After hearing AJ mention Adriana so much as the mastermind behind the show, I asked her to tell me more about it:
“Creating Cielo y Tierra was an immersive journey that brought together the diverse talents of the SoyxSoy collective. From conceptualizing the theme to the hands-on process of transforming the gallery space, each step was a blend of creativity and collaboration,” she shares.
I was also impressed with the beautiful use of repurposed materials.
Adriana explained, “We used recycled materials from the former Savannah Repertory Theater to build many of the installations, giving new life to these elements. Setting up clouds, raindrops, and art pieces, we worked tirelessly for 30 days to craft an environment that reflects the connection between sky and earth. This experience was not just about the art itself but about the community and the shared passion that brought the exhibition to life.”
When I asked AJ about the mushroom sculptures around the gallery, his face lit up as he mentioned Jessica Salaverria, one of the artists.
When I spoke with her, she shared: “When Adriana Iris Boatwright invited me to the Cielo y Tierra exhibition, mushrooms were my first thought! Their whimsical presence above ground and intricate mycelial networks below symbolizes a connection between realms, much like ancient cultures saw them. Collaborating with other talented artists, we brought our diverse ideas to life, growing and evolving together through this shared journey.”
I also spoke about the show with Jose Ray, one of the artists and a good friend. I’ve been a fan of his work for years, and his involvement in this exhibition is palpable.
He shared: “We left a fair bit of room for interpretation in the title of the show. This way, we could all play with the idea and craft it through our own hands. We’d throw ideas out, brainstorm, get to work, check back in, make adjustments—and as we worked, the connective tissue started to really develop. New layers of the concept would reveal themselves, and we would excitedly stir them into the mix!”
I can only imagine how getting everyone organized and blending their ideas together must have been a great experience with its own challenges.
Jose explained: “Working on an installation is always a fun and engaging experience. I’ve done a good handful of them over the years, but the Cielo y Tierra installation was the first time I had worked with a collective in this manner. It was a fun exercise in taking a concept and identifying the aesthetic needs, then seeing which artist(s) were best suited to fulfill those needs. It was gratifying to recognize strengths among the SoyxSoy members and let those talents shine. We all do our best work when we lean into our interests.
There was also room to grow—it was great to see fellow members offering guidance and support in areas others were interested in exploring and learning. Just being in the space together and working in such a creative manner was great. I feel that a lot of information and skill were gleaned through the process.”
Finally, when I asked AJ about the sculptural arrows, he explained that this was the creation of Nico Moscosa, one of the youngest members of SoyxSoy. Nico was particularly excited and nervous about this show, as it was his very first.
I asked Nico to share a bit about his experience: “The significance of the exhibit was that it was my first show. It was amazing to do it with such incredible and friendly artists. When we were working on it, we became almost like a family.”
Then, he told me a bit about the arrows: “My process with chaotic arrows was honestly just putting the work in. When I was little, I loved making arrows and geometric shapes. So, when the gallery show was happening, I started small with just a couple of arrows. We wanted these arrows to act as guides, but also to be interpreted as maybe lightning strikes or worms in the ground. But it quickly became more, as AJ and Jose were saying it would be cool to see them as knots. As we noticed when I was completing the arrows, one by one, it was almost a piece of its own when they were piled together. It was almost as if we were letting the universe decide the piece.”
Other SoyxSoy artists who didn’t interview with me, but are equally part of this marvel, include lé dieguê, Tafy LaPlanche, Nancy Acosta, Lórien Gascon, Lusiana Morales, Manni Simon, Leah Theresa Nieves, Adolfo Alvarado, Autumn Gary, Claudia Nicole Oñate, Samantha Salas, Julio Cotto Rivera, Marcela Sinnet, Michelle Pérez, and Alexander Nathan Soto.
This show is open to the public until November 9th at The Savannah Cultural Arts Center Gallery, located at 201 Montgomery Street.
You can enjoy this exhibit Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed on Sundays.
There are so many beautiful and intricate details—I feel like I might need to visit a couple more times while I still have the chance. Enjoy!
All the love,
Vanessa
If you find value in this website, please consider contributing via Paypal to help cover the costs. You can also send contributions via Venmo @Savannah_Agenda. Your support, no matter how much you give, is appreciated and will help ensure the future viability of this community resource. You can also show your support by sharing Savannah Agenda with others via email or social media. Increasing readership is critical to the long-term success of this site.
More columns by Vanessa Lantos Daly (Spicy Melon)
