Laura Anderson Barbata

While in New York, MACA was introduced to the work of Mexican artist Laura Anderson Barbata by Sabrina Dupre, a Zeitz Foundation associate.

A contemporary artist who often inhabits a realm that encompasses fine art and social anthropology, Ms. Barbata works out of Mexico City and New York City, with extensive relationships in the indigenous cultures of Mexico and Venezuela's Amazonia. With a background in fashion design, Ms. Barbata manages to weave her personal iconography, with religious and childhood references, into a body of work that encompasses an impressive range from the anthropological to the magical, without losing touch with her audience.

In explorations about the environment and our connection to it, Ms. Barbata suggests a personal relationship based on interconnectivity and our simplest, truest, needs and desires. In the face of her deep connection to the Amazon, specifically the Yanomami and Ye'kuana, Barbata presents her relationship to these cultures on a parallel platform, maintaining on an equal standing with her western heritage. In doing so, Barbata presents a picture of a globalized world without resorting to the obvious and reiterated political sloganism, but rather manages to gracefully and intelligently offer a view that positions a diversity of cultures on equal ranking.

For additional information on the artist and her work, please contact Carlos Rojas at +506 2742 5222, Rob Harley at +1 646 478 7038, or visit www.lauraandersonbarbata.com

Federico Herrero (b. 1978, Costa Rica) awarded Monte Azul Residency 2010.

Mr. Herrero is one of Latin America's leading artists with two invitations to the Venice Biennale (2000 and 2009), representation in Germany, Spain and Japan. He is Costa Rica's most widely recognized artist of his generation and will produce a series of works at Monte Azul.

In February 2010, Monte Azul hosts a limited number of collectors to participate in an intimate event featuring one-on-one studio visits, private discussions with guest curators Mark Coetzee and Silva Cubiñá, and an opportunity to experience the artist in residency program first hand at Monte Azul.

Please contact Carlos Rojas at +506 2742 5222 or +1 646 478 7038 for additional information.

Monte Azul Hotel and Center for the Arts

Monte Azul is suddenly just a 1:40 minute drive to Quepos and Manuel Antonio! Until recently, the trip was a notorious three and a half hour kidney-jiggling ordeal over a bumpy, unmarked road with dozens of one-lane, rickety and tenuous bridges. The rainy season offered swimming pool size puddles (and often as deep) while the dry season ensured an even coating of dust throughout the car and one's body. Today, zip over an even and dreamy asphalt slice of heaven. Enjoy the spectacular scenery that was once hidden behind clouds of dust! We cannot stress enough the ease of travel between the two locations.

After much incredulity about the Costa Rican government's assurance that the Costanera Highway would be completed by December of 2009, Southern Costa Rica takes our collective hats off (along with a sigh of relief) and bids welcome to this long anticipated event.

Monte Azul now boasts four national parks within just two hours of our property, two regional airports and a strategic location between the wilds of the Osa Peninsula, the Highlands of the Talamanca Mountain Range and the hot spots of the Central Pacific Coast. Guests at Monte Azul benefit from easy access to one of Costa Rica's principal attractions, Manuel Antonio National Park, and the ability to retreat to our cool mountain paradise for quiet, comfort and total relaxation.

Please contact us for specific information on how you can enjoy the best of two worlds in beautiful Costa Rica.

Pura Vida!

Café Blue Opens to the Public

On December 5, 2009, Monte Azul's own restaurant opens to the public.

Café Blue will now serve the Costa Rican and expatriate communities with elegant yet unpretentious dishes prepared with local, organic and seasonal items.

Diners will also enjoy original cocktails featuring local ingredients. Aren't you dying to see what a CosmoTico is like?! Find out at Café Blue.

For reservations and hours of business please contact us at 2742 5222.

Cafe Blue is also available for private events and catering.

Chimirol Online

Monte Azul enjoys the service of telephone lines thanks to ICE, the national communications company, and high speed internet (2 MB) via microwave technology thanks Internet 506, our service provider out of San José, Costa Rica. There was a time, very recently, until 2007, when our entire region had no telephone service whatsoever. Monte Azul was lucky enough to sit at the final reaches of the telephone cabling, which came short of servicing the rest of our village, Chimirol, with telephone service, including the local elementary school.

With private initiative and community involvement, Monte Azul and Telecom 506 together have joined to provide two computers, high speed internet service to the community as well as VOIP (voice over internet protocol) telephone service to the school.

By the end of the year, our village of Chimirol will not only have donated service, but will also have the opportunity to offer private citizens use of a community operated internet café. With the nearest internet café well over 10 miles away (and as much as 20 miles for many members of the region), Chimirol will serve as the region's internet hub. The VOIP number for the local school will finally allow parents and educators access to easy communication for education services as well as a safety line for emergencies.

Thank you Telecom 506 for taking a real interest and joining Monte Azul in helping people!

info@monteazulcr.com