By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

This weekend the Melico Salazar Theater* presents the musical "Frida Libre" (Free Frida). The musical is a monologue played by the Canadian artist of Colombian origin Flora Martínez, who plays the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo (1907-1954), born to a German father and a Mexican mestiza mother, was a Mexican painter inspired by native folk art.

According to website fkahlo.com*, Kahlo's interests in politics began when she joined the Mexican Communist Party in 1927, through which she met fellow Mexican artist Diego Rivera.

The couple married in 1928 and they spent the late 1920s and early 1930s traveling through Mexico and the United States.

"During this time, she developed her artistic style, drew her main inspiration from Mexican folk culture, and painted mostly small self-portraits which mixed elements from pre-Columbian and Catholic beliefs," said the site in her biography. "Her paintings raised the interest of Surrealist artist André Breton, who arranged for Kahlo's first solo exhibition at the Julien Levy Gallery in New York in 1938."

Kahlo's work as an artist remained relatively unknown until the late 1970s when her work was rediscovered by art historians and political activists.

By the early 1990s, she had become not only a recognized figure in art history but also considered as an icon for Chicanos, the feminism movement and the LGBT movement.

Kahlo's work has been celebrated internationally as emblematic of Mexican national and indigenous traditions and by feminists for what is seen as its uncompromising depiction of the female experience and form.

"The musical offer a reflection with a historical perspective about forgiveness, art, sex, love, freedom, and political thought," says the theater in its statement.

The musical presented at the Melico Salazar Theater, has been seen by more than 130,000 spectators in Colombia, New York, Miami, Toronto, and Guatemala.

After the presentation in Costa Rica, the musical continues with its tour to the U.S., Mexico, Spain, and Chile.

"Frida Libre is the best theatrical montage ever written about the painter, and the masterful interpretation of Flora Martínez is an almost miraculous act of love and magic," said the theater in its statement.

The musical will be presented today Friday at 8 p.m. at the theater in San Jose downtown. Tickets can be purchased at the theater box office, priced between $29 and $70, depending on the seat selected. For more information call 4000-1090.



 

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Do you think Frida Kahlo lived ahead of her time? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com

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