Do Re Do—Alexis Martínez
Dimensions Variable (DV) presents a solo project titled Do Re Do by Alexis Martínez. The exhibition opens on March 8 and runs through May 3, 2025, in the Main Gallery.
Dealing with trauma often leads individuals to create parallel realities as a coping mechanism, allowing them to navigate their pain in a controlled environment. This subconscious creation of controlled and alternate experiences provides a way to explore feelings and emotions that may be too raw or overwhelming in the real world. Just as Do Re Do illustrates the chaotic intersection of reality and imagination, these parallel realities play a crucial role in processing trauma.
Do Re Do refers to piano keys upon which a tree branch rests in what appears to be a chaotic event. The installation creates a dialogue between the inside and the outside, outlining a path to the artist’s own psyche. While it may initially look like a ready-made—something that occurred in the physical world—the truth is that this event was constructed with great care, which distinguishes it from reality. This serves as a parallel to the random events of life. By presenting this event as if it had actually happened, Martínez builds a world of mental cause and effect that runs parallel to the real world—a way to process the rawness of reality.
Alexis Martínez
Alexis Martínez (b. Villa Clara, Cuba, 1974) began his artistic training at the Samuel Feijóo Professional School of Plastic Arts in Santa Clara, where he attended secondary school from 1996 to 1999. In 2000, he entered the Higher Institute of Art (ISA) in Havana, where he completed his higher education in 2005. He currently resides and works in Florida, United States. Notable exhibitions include Sin Patentar (2000), A.H.S. Gallery in Santa Clara, Cuba; Proyecto TEA (2000), Center for the Development of Visual Arts in Havana, Cuba; El Charco y la Curva (2024), Museum of Art Las Américas (MOCA), Miami, Florida; Siniestro (2012), Galería Havana, Cuba; the Salon Visuarte, Cienfuegos, Cuba (2009); and the exhibition Sol Luminoso II (2005), Bernau Gallery, Berlin. He has also been part of prestigious events such as the IV Salón de Arte Contemporáneo Cubano (2005) at the Fototeca de La Habana, and the traveling exhibition Cuba: The Next Generation (2005) at the Cuban Art Space in New York. Martínez has been recognized with various awards throughout his career. Among them are the Award at the 16th Provincial Salon of Plastic Arts and Design, Salon “ECO” (2000) in Santa Clara, and the Award at the 3rd Student Salon (2000) at the Abel Santamaría Gallery in Santa Clara. His work has been exhibited in important spaces and events such as the 8th Havana Biennial (2003), the 2nd Salon of Prize Winners (2001) at the Center for the Development of Visual Arts in Havana, and the National Salon of Students of Art Schools (1999) in Trinidad, Sancti Spíritus, among others.
