Mihaela Ion talks with Carlos Acero Ruiz about his diverse cultural career, highlighting his experience working in various places and his role in curating exhibitions, which showcases his extensive involvement in the cultural sector. Carlos has served as the Chair of the Statutes and Regulations Committee of AICA since 2021 and received the Award for Excellence from the International Association of Art Critics (AICA) at the XLIX Congress in Havana, Cuba, in 2016.
The episode features a dynamic exchange of questions and answers, exploring topics such as curatorship, AICA, the use of AI in art, and writing about art, offering insightful perspectives on these interconnected subjects. During the discussion, they also address essential tips for a successful portfolio review, emphasizing key strategies such as selecting your best work, presenting a cohesive and well-organized portfolio, tailoring it to the reviewer’s interests, and confidently articulating your creative process and concepts.
About the speaker
Carlos Acero Ruiz is a Dominican visual artist, art critic, researcher, and curator known for his contributions to the art world through his creative work, critical insights, and curatorial projects. He is currently the Director of the Centro de la Imagen de Santo Domingo, a position he has held since 2011, and has served as the Artistic Director and Curator of the International Festival of Photography and Video PHOTOIMAGEN since 2007.
He is a former Vice President of the International Association of Art Critics (AICA) (2011–2014, 2016–2019), former President of AICA’s Congress Committee (2015–2018), and former President of the Dominican Association of Art Critics (ADCA/AICA) (2012–2015). He is also a member of the International Council of Museums (ICOM)and of the Organizing Committee of the National Biennial of Visual Arts of Santo Domingo.
Carlos was Guest Curator of the Karachi Biennial in Pakistan in 2017 and has published several books, essays, and numerous texts for catalogues, newspapers, and specialist magazines. He has received multiple awards in recognition of his curatorial work.
About the moderator
Mihaela Ion holds a Ph.D. in History and is a curator, cultural manager, and art researcher based in Bucharest. Since 2021, she has been a member of AICA and has served as an International Board Member since 2022, as well as a member of the Digital Strategies Committee. Over the past 18 years, she has presented papers on Communist art, cultural wars, and contemporary artwork at leading conferences across Europe. Mihaela collaborates with several art galleries and museums throughout the continent. Her Ph.D. thesis focuses on the heritage of Communist-era artworks.
Mihaela has also worked as a cultural manager in London with body>data>space, and in Paris, Sélestat, Strasbourg, and Nancy during her Courants du Monde grant from the French Ministry of Culture. In 2010, she co-founded Atelierul Magazine, an active international online and offline platform that fosters intercultural dialogue between design creators and the public. Her recent cultural expertise in project evaluation was demonstrated through her work with Apexart in New York.