Desde de San Juan Bautista…

Consolato Rem Brega!!! proudly presents its landmark exhibition, “Desde San Juan Bautista…” as Collateral Event of the 60th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia. Since its inception in 1895, this is the first time that a Puerto Rico entity, Consolato REM Brega!!!, Inc., attains an official Collateral Event at Biennale Arte. This historic event showcases the visionary efforts of Puerto Rico’s finest interdisciplinary artists and marks a pivotal moment in the global recognition of Puerto Rican visual artistry.

At the heart of the exhibition stands Celso González’ monumental Yola Sculpture, “San Juan Bautista,” a powerful symbol of Puerto Rico’s enduring spirit. This site-specific installation challenges the constraints of its political status, while honoring the Island’s rich maritime heritage. The exhibition also features two performative interventions by Awilda Sterling-Duprey, including the mesmerizing portrayal of her iconic character, Vejigante Decrépito. The polyvalent symbolism of the Puerto Rican vejigante stands for the surreal elements of the masquerades in Loíza and Ponce, whose colorful lore and traditions have transcended generations triumphantly for the character continues to be a symbol of political and cultural resistance not only within Puerto Rico, but also in its diaspora. Sterling-Duprey’s innovative approach to performance art underscores the resilience and political significance of Puerto Rican cultural traditions. Daniel Lind-Ramos’s evocative site-specific installation, “El Viejo Griot: Talegas de la Memoria” confronts environmental injustice and urban encroachment, offering a poignant commentary on the challenges facing contemporary Puerto Rican society. Chemi Rosado-Seijo’s documentation of community-based interventions at El Cerro in Naranjito highlights the transformative power of art in fostering social and ecological change.