The small desert town of Marfa, Texas, renowned for its vibrant art scene, celebrated the arrival of acclaimed artist Miguel Valverde’s masterpiece, “Latido de Luz,” last night. The much-anticipated event was hosted at the Glitch Gallery, a unique space where the physical and digital art realms seamlessly intermingle. Valverde’s creation, which had previously adorned the Ruidosa Church, now illuminates the Other Side, Glitch Gallery’s dedicated exhibition room.
The Glitch Gallery, established in 2022, quickly found its niche as an analog space for digital objects at the crossroads of Marfa, Texas, and the digital world. Stephen McKeon, founder of the gallery, hosted the event. As a Partner at Collab+Currency and an Associate Professor of Finance at the University of Oregon, McKeon’s interests in crypto are echoed in his gallery’s innovative blend of physical and digital art.
Valverde’s “Latido de Luz” is a large-scale, site-specific work that had been commissioned for the Ruidosa Church Community Day. It features an anatomically-correct heart crafted from neon, steel, and wood. The name, translating to “pulse of light,” refers to the heartbeat, according to Valverde. He told Big Bend Sentinel, “It goes back to the origin of the human body. It’s trying to reconnect with that, to find a new beginning.”
The event was catered by Big Buddha Bakery, which operates in The Other Side space at Glitch Gallery where Latido De Luz is installed.
The artist, originally from Cuahtémoc, Chihuahua, operates out of a studio in Chihuahua City and has a significant body of work featuring diverse local themes, such as lucha libre wrestling and Mennonite culture. Valverde’s art has also enjoyed a global reach, having been commissioned to create and exhibit works across Europe and the southwestern United States. He has a strong belief in public art, stating that “Sharing art is part of my philosophy.”
The event in Marfa began at 6:15 PM, with Valverde delivering an engrossing talk that guided the audience through the journey of “Latido de Luz,” its relationship with the restoration of the Ruidosa Church, and its resonance with the church’s original name—El Corazón Sagrado de la Iglesia de Jesus, or The Sacred Heart of the Church of Jesus. This was followed by an intimate viewing of the masterpiece in the Other Side.
The church in Ruidosa, a distinctive adobe structure dating back to the early 20th century, had seen significant decay before it was deeded to Presidio County in 2019. Ownership was later transferred to the Friends of the Ruidosa Church, a non-profit dedicated to restoring and maintaining the building. The church holds architectural significance with what many believe to be the largest adobe arches in Texas. The arrival of “Latido de Luz” in Marfa signals not only the town’s commitment to diverse artistic expression but also serves as a tribute to the historical and architectural legacy of the Ruidosa Church.
Valverde’s work, from large-scale murals to illuminated sculptures, reflects a commitment to public art and community engagement. “Latido de Luz,” now nestled in the Glitch Gallery, serves as a beacon for Marfa’s innovative integration of physical and digital art, illustrating the town’s fervor for hosting diverse works of art and preserving cultural history.
For more information on Miguel Valverde’s work, please visit www.miguelvalverde.com/eng. To learn about the history and restoration of the Ruidosa Church, visit www.ruidosachurch.org/history.
