The dates for limiting the period of works on display were not chosen randomly. The first is the year of the final return of the Uruguayan artist Joaquin Torres-García in Montevideo, after his years spent in Europe and North America. And the second, coincides with the visit of Venezuelan Jesus Rafael Soto Bolívar to attend the inauguration of the museum bears his name. Between this two years, this art, after feeling flu European artists engaged in the same experience, breaks it and creates its own style. 

They have gathered some 300 works by 64 artists from seven countries: Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela, plus the small contribution of Mexico —represented by drawings Germain Cueto—, and Colombia, with photographs of Leo Matiz. In Cuba, whose abstract art is perhaps the least known, yet comes, the work of three artists of international fame: the versatile Sandu Darie (sculptor, ceramicist, designer, painter and illustrator) and two women: Lolo Soldevilla and Carmen Herrera. Both show a knack for choosing forms, bodies, lines and colors to take them to their jobs.

It is easy to note the influence exerted by European authors in their Latin American counterparts. Abstraction originated in Europe and many Latin authors lived in the Old Continent for many years. No wonder, then, to find echoes of Malevich, Rothko, Klee, Braque, Mondrian and Calder. And of course also a Spanish group: Team 57, Pijuan Juan José Guerrero, Millares and Sempere. 

In the first room of the exhibition have come together four works by Joaquin Torres-García. It is perhaps one of the most influential and popular artists of this movement (it is curious to find the handwritten letter addressed to Benjamin Palencia to ask him to join other painters -Ortiz, Albert Climent, Castellanos- to exhibit at the Salon d'Automne of year 33). No shortage of other writings, manifestos and magazine covers designed by him. Follow "compositions" of the Argentine Esteban Lisa, Juan del Prete, Rod Rothfuss and Carmelo Arden, along with sculptures and Enio Kosice Gyula lommi, evoking a Calder. Tomás Maldonado include oil paintings on canvas. Are compositions in which the lines sent in surprising harmony and balance.  

From Brazil comes a picture of Josef Albers and two Mondrian-inspired Waldemar Cordeiro, and Antonio Maluf, posters announcing the Sao Paulo Biennial. They could not miss Amílcar de Castro with a small iron sculpture Untitled-or Judith Lauandos their spatial constructions. Then there's Venezuela, Alejandro Otero and Carlos Cruz Díez, among others.

This is the third exhibition at the Juan March Foundation dedicated to modern and contemporary art in Latin America in three years. Will be open until May 15. MPR

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