I recently attended a fun film and art event called A Night at La Nacional at La Nacional on 239 West 14th Street in Greenwich Village. Here you can find a free monthly arthouse film show featuring art exhibitions, performances, music, dance, fashion, and more hosted by La Nacional in partnership with the Bronx World Film organization. Walter Krochmal is the director.
La Nacional is located in this spacious and vibrant private event space on the street level, up a steep set of stone stairs behind a set of double red doors — it’s a real hidden gem. I’ve walked past it along this busy street hundreds of times and never once noticed this venue. In addition, downstairs behind the stairwell, La Nacional operates a lovely bustling restaurant that serves fine Spanish cuisine.
Two Independent Films and a Venezuelan Virtuoso Bandolist
First there were two independent films which La Nacional called the “headliners.” The drama The Rise was directed by Laura Scaglia with screenplay by Christophe Amoud. The second film, ICETEA, was a drama by director and screenplay writer Alessia Buiatti.
Following these film screenings, we were entertained by Venezuelan string player and bandola virtuoso Mafer Bandola (birth name Maria Fernanda Gonzales). Mafer is a self-taught composer, producer, and community organizer. The bandola llanera is a Venezuelan stringed instrument, one of many varieties of small pear-shaped chordophones, consisting of four gut strings and up to 21 frets. Mafer performed several solo pieces with ferocity and fire.
Dr. Naregy’s Goofy Monsters Art Show!
While all of the aforementioned activities were moving along, the constant overarching highlight of the event could be seen hanging on the walls — a solo art exhibition of irresistible charm featuring the ”goofy monsters” whimsical artwork of Sara Aby, Ph.D. who goes by her artist’s name “Dr. Narengy.” Her solo show consisting of 21 of her pieces was a celebration of joy, resilience, and playful creativity. Lan Shi was the curator of the exhibition.
Before becoming a visual artist in recent years having been precipitated by her own disability, Aby had already been enriched with an impressive career; first earning her Ph.D. in electrical engineering and later working as a technology executive and a professor. Judging by the depth of field and vibrant colors of her works, I suppose one can accurately and safely say that both sides of Dr. Narengy’s brain work equally!
The show’s deeper message was anchored in the artist’s own life experience. Living with a disability can be difficult. Dr. Narengy draws from personal challenges to fuel her creative energy. Her silly monsters become metaphors—embodying fear, frustration, and complexity, but rendered in such a way that invites laughter instead of dread. She was awarded a Certificate of Recognition by special guest of the event Andy Lin, director of the United Nations Commutech Group. The show stood as a testament to the power of humor in art, inviting everyone to reconnect with their inner child and take comfort in the wonderfully weird.
According to Dr. Narengy, “In a world often weighed down by stress and uncertainty, my acrylic paintings of whimsical, silly monsters aim to bring a moment of laughter and lightness. These colorful creatures—each quirky and imperfect—represent life’s many hardships, reimagined through a joyful, childlike lens. By turning “monsters” into lovable characters, I invite viewers of all ages to celebrate life’s absurdities and find humor in the chaos. This show is a playful reminder that even in tough times, we can smile, laugh, and embrace the beautifully weird parts of ourselves and the world around us.”
Dr. Narengy’s work invites viewers of all ages to embrace their inner child and celebrate life’s unexpected quirks and to see humor in everyday happenings. Her artwork is a joyful escape from the structured realm of life to the whimsical and heartwarming world of playful monsters. In a city where art often leans cerebral or austere, Dr. Narengy’s monsters offer a rare alternative: a reason to smile.
Read this article on La Nacional Arthouse and Dr. Narengy’s scary monster art where I originally wrote it in The Village View:
To see the upcoming schedule for A Night at La Nacional:
bronxworldfilm.org/a-night-at-la-nacional
Kaju Roberto is an accomplished musician, singer/ songwriter, journalist, and an award-winning producer. He is the artist Rad Jet on Spotify.