SOLAR Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary with Performance Piece Set in Pinochet's Chile

Through the gallery's emphasis on exhibiting artists of Latin American descent, will premiere a short play that channels the experience of Chileans during Pinochet's reign, while also marking its 10th anniversary.

written by Andrea Goldman and presented by The Box Productions, depicts the emotional struggles of a long-time married couple as they battle for air while buried alive. The play explores memory, forgiveness and the process of rediscovering what was good after years of pain and guilt changed things, said Goldman. "La Cueca" (a native dance of Chile) was inspired by time Goldman spent in Chile in 2003. She recounted her experience of hearing people deny abuses that occurred during Pinochet's regime, she said. The play is set in Chile under his rule.

“I found it fascinating the support some people had for this gory regime even as there were mass graves unearthed in the '90s,” said Goldman, who performs in the experimental theatre piece with Abraham De Funes.

“There were people who believed media propaganda that it wasn’t true and nothing had happened and Pinochet was a good man. It was amazing to me. This is a small country that had been through so much and had to live in the same spaces that now were changed. There’s a combustible element living with a tumultuous past in the present."

Gen. Augusto Pinochet Ugarte claimed power in a military takeover in 1973. Pinochet ran Chile through 1990 and was described as a “brutal dictator who repressed and reshaped Chile for nearly two decades and became a notorious symbol of human rights abuse and corruption,” in Pinochet’s obituary published by The New York Times on Dec. 11, 2006 and written by Jonathan Kandell.

Goldman channels the experience of Chileans through the experience of a married couple. Finding themselves buried alive and facing death, they each attempt to “unbury themselves” to try to rediscover the qualities that first attracted them to each other,” Goldman said.

“Everyone can relate to the concept of a relationship,” Goldman said. “What should be so simple is so complex.” Ben Sargent directs.

This is the first time SOLAR is hosting a performance. SOLAR owner and director Esperanza Leon felt holding a performance would shake things up a bit. The gallery’s lower location will connect audiences with the actor’s underground struggle, Leon said. The gallery will be emptied of all art to enhance the experience, she said.

The play’s Chilean setting marries well with the gallery’s emphasis of exhibiting artists of Latin American descent. Leon was born in Venezuela, raised in East Hampton and attended college in Canada.  After graduating, she spent five years in Venezuela, then moved back to East Hampton in 2000. She’s always had an affinity for art made by Latin American artists, Leon said. She kept true to her passion when she opened SOLAR in 2001 in East Hampton Village, she said. After a few years, SOLAR moved into the Davis Lane location.

“I love what I do and it’s almost never occurred to me to stop doing it,” she said about her gallery’s longevity.”

SOLAR also holds exhibitions in other spaces including in a New York City gallery and at , where the exhibition, "Aurelio Torres: East End" is currently on view.

Other plans are in the works to mark the gallery’s milestone. They include a Cuban art show featuring the private collection of an international art collector, which is still in development.

“La Cueca” will be performed on Feb. 18, 19, 25 and 26 at 7 p.m. Space is limited and reservations are required.