After obtaining a Ph.D. of Sociology in 1986, specializing in Sociology of Art, preceded by a French Master Degree in Art History (1986) and a French Master Degree in Social Sciences (1984) at Sorbonne University, in Paris, France, I have applied my knowledge of both art and sociology to various fields, the academic environment, as museum curator of the visual arts, as art couch to artists, as art consultant to collectors and galleries, as senior editor in art magazines as well and an art writer.

I studied my doctorate under the supervision and tutoring of a well known French sociologist Jean Duvignaud at Sorbonne University (Universite de Paris VII, Jussieu) in Paris.  My doctoral thesis in Sociology of Art focused on the emergence of New Figurative painting in Latin America and Venezuela.  I examined the social context and the cultural aspects of this unique genre and its impact over the aesthetic phenomenon and focused in the visual characteristics of the figurative paintings.  I also conducted interviews and passed structured questionnaires to members of cultural institutions and to other active participants in this cultural phenomenon in order to reveal the multifarious social and cultural aspects involved in the figurative Latin American painting.

In order to keep current, I am conducting a research for a postdoctoral thesis in Aesthetics at the Aesthetic Institute in Sorbonne University, Paris, France.

Regarding my academic activities; I have been teaching in several universities.  Currently I am teaching at Florida Atlantic University, Dpt. of Art History and Visual Arts, History of Graphic Design.  At the Florida International University, Dept. of Art History in 2000 for courses such as, Critical Contemporary Theories and Methodology of Art for under-graduate and graduate levels contracted by former Chairperson, Dr. Carol Damian; at the American InterContinental University, School of Design from 2003 to present, on courses such as, Art History, Freehand Drawing, Art Appreciation, History of Cinema, History of Fashion as well as courses in Sociology; at the Central University of Venezuela, School of Arts from 1987 to 1993 the following courses,  History of Art, Cultural Sociology, Methodology of Art and its Theoretical Approaches, History, Culture and Art of Latin America as well as tutoring Thesis in Visual Arts.

About my activities as a curator, I was the Guest Curator in 2004 at the Jewish Museum of  Florida under  the directorship of Marzia Zerivitz, for the show “El Viaje. The Latin American Families and Artists”; Chief Curator since 2005 to present at the Hardcore Art Contemporary Space in Miami curating, among many exhibits, the group shows “Happily Ever After” during Art Basel Miami Beach 2006, “Hardcore Menu.

 

Samples and Dishes” during Art Basel Miami Beach 2005, “International New Media Festival” first and second editions, 2006 and 2007 respectively; curator at Merrill Lynch Arteamericas Art Fair in Miami for six editions, from 2002 to 2007 for the show “Trends: Aspects of Latin American Art; curator in 2005 at the KLIMA building in Chicago for the show “Occurrences: Latin American at the Crossroads”.

Regarding my activities as an editor, I was the Senior Editor from 2001 to 2007 of the art magazine “Arte al Dia International” coordinating writings and editing content and layout.  This art magazine is sold for the international art community in Europe, North America and Latin America.  Currently, I am the Art Consultant for this magazine together with Julian Zuzagoitia, director for the Museo del Barrio in New York, Irma Arestizabal curator of Latin America section at the 2007 Venice Biennale.

In addition to the above application of my knowledge, I was the Docent Coordinator at the Miami Art Museum from 2003 to 2004 under the museum Senior Curator Peter Boswell and former museum director Suzanne Delahanty. I have also provided art lectures and talks to museums and art institutions, such as the Miami Art Museum, Museum of Latin American Art, among others.

As an art coach for artists I conduct assessments, evaluations and individual artistic orientation to artists. I facilitate the creative process and review the obstacles and the individual needs in their creative situation.  I work along with them in their studios to produce a coherent and valuable body of work.

As an art consultant I conduct assessments and orientation to constitute and to organize Art Collections.

I have acquired a body of knowledge and experience that has greatly benefited academics, art literature, artists, collectors and institutions of visual arts.  My goal is to continue in providing benefit by applying this body of knowledge to museums, universities and related art environments.