15. For centuries, and still…(anticipated completion) at Harlem Art Park
Kevin Quiles Bonilla and Zaq Landsberg’s For centuries, and still…(anticipated completion) at Harlem Art Park reflects on the past five years since Hurricane Maria. The installation ties together attributes of the colonial Puerto Rican landscape and the ubiquitous New York City construction. It features a 13-foot-tall dark green recreation of a guard tower (or garita, in Spanish) from the iconic colonial fortresses of Old San Juan. The tilted tower is made of New York City construction fencing material, complete with a “Post No Bills” stencil.
By melding different visual cues and physical materials, the artwork melds the history of the two locations and explores contemporary notions of colonialism “as a precarious, never-ending project that affects anyone within it.” Mixing construction with the idea of colonialism, it begs the question “What happens when the ‘anticipated completion’ never arrives?” Activities and participation from other Puerto Rican artists will take place throughout the duration of the exhibit. For centuries, and still…(anticipated completion) will be on view through November 2023.
