Revitalizing the arts and cultural scene in Coral Gables
Alirio Torrealba is a true visionary. Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, he fell in love with the colonial and Mediterranean architecture of Coral Gables, a place he decided would become his new home and that of his three children and wife Doris. His Company, MG Developer, has more than four development projects under construction, but his legacy to the city of Coral Gables continues to move beyond fantastic luxury homes. As a passionate Art Philanthropist, Alirio has slowly but surely once again made art into one of the pillars of Coral Gables.”
“I learned that art humanizes spaces and is a form of enjoyment for people. For the benefit of the city of Coral Gables, we joined together with artists Roberto Behar and Rosario Marquardt, the creators of a gigantic stone bench “A Midnight’s summer dream,” a large outdoor living room that promotes a sense of society, “comments Torrealba.
The sculpture, which is a gigantic sofa with a carpet in front, served as an inaugural piece for the City’s Art in Public Places program and seeks builders to donate a percentage of the value of their projects to art for the enjoyment of Coral Gables residents. Located in Balboa Plaza, the sculpture complements Biltmore Square, an area where it stands above the park.
Torrealba, who is also a member of the board of directors of the emblematic Coral Gables Museum, was recently photographed for the exhibition “The Silence Project,” which was exhibited in the city since last July 5 and was created by the renowned Cuban dermatologist Flor Mayoral .
The artist seeks that each person identify the feeling that the photograph conveys. “When they called me, I felt grateful and privileged to participate. I did not know the scope and human depth that this would reflect in me. I would like to quote a text from Paul Goodman:
“Not speaking and speaking are both human ways of being in the world, the fertile silence of awareness, pasturing the soul, whence emerge new thoughts; the alive silence of alert perception, ready to say, “This… this…”; the musical silence that accompanies absorbed activity; the silence of listening to another speak,.”
Torrealba adds: “Silence is the mystery of life. Silence as a human attitude. These are phrases that humanize you and make you reflect. I am proud to be part of this and I admire the work of the photographer as they connect the community of Coral Gables.
MG Developer also presented three pop-up galleries throughout the city center, providing a creative refuge for local and international artists to develop and exhibit their works of art.
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