BLOOD KISSES

2006, The Armory Show, New York City

In a 3 ft sq space
One on one, eye to eye
Papo Colo, bare-chested
Asked:
Do you believe in God?
With a knife in hand
He made an incision above his heart
And with a piece of cotton fabric
Collected the blood.
He signed it, framed it, and kissed you,
Making a print from his body for 500 dollars to benefit Exit Art.

"The reason for this cutting performance was The Armory Show and the metaphor of the artist in the art market.
As a Latino artist, it represents another layer of meaning - the low wages for migrant laborers. And as a printmaker it is the blood of a poet as the ink of a print."