THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME

In association with La Escuela de Artes Plásticas, Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Loma de Los Vientos, across from the Capitol Building, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Scenario:
A beach towel displaying the Puerto Rican flag was spread at the foot of the hill across from the Capitol Building. 51 pieces of white paper sat on the ground in front of the towel. The artist emerged, skin glistening with oil, three stars painted on his back in green, red and blue, the colors of the three political parties. The artist was accompanied by a sheep, the national symbol of Puerto Rico, tied to his waist by a rope from which hung a special bell hand-made in India, used for keeping away evil spirits. His forehead was marked with a black "X."

Action:
The artist bowed his head 51 times facing northwest, towards Washington D.C. As he bowed repeatedly, each of the 51 pieces of paper on the ground were marked with a freshly painted black "X" which he applied with his index finger. This action rendered 51 drawings in the form of an "X," symbolizing the power to vote in free elections. The artist, carrying the sheep on his back, then walked down Munoz Rivera Avenue to Patos Beach, in Bajamar. There, he played two congas. The sheep dictated messages to him which he then transcribed in hieroglyphic drawings on 51 pieces of paper. The performance lasted 51 minutes. The image of the sound (the congas and the sea), the rope tied at his waist to the sheep, the sea, the clouds and the crashing waves along with the congas are the sounds of a conversation until sunset.

Intent:
The colors green, red and blue are the esthetics of the Puerto Rican performance. They are also the colors of digital technology and impressionist colors to display the performance to the public. These colors show to the audience what is happening and why, explaining the history of the performance. On the other hand the colors break the stereotype that the performance is crazy and absurd, each movement and gesture had an explanation and historic significance leaving the interpretation in the hands of the audience. The production of images through picture, video, drawings, paintings and sound is an expression of the Puerto Rican culture, including all Puerto Rican politics, creating a balance with opposing ideas. The Puerto Rican post culture art is an interpretation of the reality in which we live.

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