Music and Art Meet at Club B.E.D.

Cuban American painter, Kiki Valdes, 25, is busy with his brush against a large canvas blurring browns, blues, blacks and greens while hip hop rhythms thump in the background.
This scene is repeated every Monday night at Club B.E.D in South Beach.

Painting live in top notch clubs has become Valdes’ trademark. For the last 11 years, Valdes has painted everywhere from mansion parties, to South Beach celebrity watering holes, to the SoulFrito stage at Calle Ocho (2005) – the world’s largest Cuban American festival that takes place here in Miami.

“I want mass appeal and respect by people who know art,” said Valdes who describes his style as a mix of old Cuba and new Miami. He wants his work to be considered both fine art and commercial.

The buzz about Valdes started to take root when he began to display his art non-conventionally, in South Beach nightclubs. The idea of mixing art and live shows happened when Valdes saw artwork displayed on the walls at nightclubs. At first, he didn’t like the idea. He thought art went unappreciated. “I'm kind of old fashion. I like the gallery,” said Valdes.

He approached his friend, also club promoter, and pitched an idea that was a little different: Paint live to the rhythm of the music. Painting in front of people requires concentration and focus.

"I almost have to paint without thinking. The pressure puts you to work," said Valdes. He confidently painted in front of people and received a bigger response than he had expected.

While painting in clubs amongst the rich and the famous appears to be glamorous, it does have its downside. "Sometimes people disrespect me. They touch me when I'm painting. They jump and say the stupidest things and are obnoxious,” said Valdes.

Once, a drunken man kept randomly touching the artist. The first five times, Valdes tried to ignore the party-goers. But then the guy touched Valdes’ head. Valdes called club security and the man was thrown out. But Valdes says it’s an experience he “asks for.”

For Valdes, painting is his life and with it come pros and cons. He always has paint on his fingers and on his car. Even a friendly hug can get a little messy too. "People think artists love having paint on them. I don't," Valdes said.

And then there’s the idea of having a wife and kids. With so much focused on his passion, he wonders if there will ever be room for a little normalcy. "I have a complex life, but I would choose this over anything," Valdes said.

Valdes has high aspirations for his work.
"I want to see my art in the National Museum of Cuba. I'm an American, but eventually I'll belong in there."
Valdes also wants to be in the Whitney Museum of American Arts. "I don't say I would like to be there. I say, I will be in the Whitney Museum and all the really important museums," said Valdes.

Here's a part of the interview where he talks about the difference of painting live and in his studio:

For more information on Valdes, visit his webpage at: http://www.kikivaldes.com/kikivaldes/

Club B.E.D. is located at:

929 Washington AveMiami Beach, FL 33139

(305) 532-9070