Conquistadors at It Again, this Time in Neon

an interesting project my friend Josue Pellot has been working on for some time opened this week. if your in chicago, check it out.......
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Conquistadors at It Again, this Time in Neon!!!

For the second time in 500 years, a conquering European Armada has landed
on the shores of this continent to disrupt the activities of the
unassuming natives.  Only this time, they are 48 inches tall and filled
with neon gas.

Chicago-based artist Josue Pellot has crafted three whimsical yet
invective sculptural neon pieces to be displayed in the windows of La
Municipal Supermarket (2559 West Division st., Chi. Il. ) in Humboldt
Park, just in time for the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade and Festival.
To the passing pedestrian or float-rider offering only a cursory glance,
these pieces may be mistaken for signs advertising liquor or a sale.  But
upon closer examination these works actually depict storied events at the
onset of the culture clash that began when Columbus landed, sticking his
sword both in the sand and in the ribs of a native.

“While the people of Humboldt Park celebrate their culture and symbols,
there is an ironic embracement of a dubious colonial history,” Pellot says
as a Taino Indian drowns a Conqistador in bright colors behind him.  It’s
quite a sight!

Josue Pellot received his MA in Art Theory and Practice from Northwestern
University in 2006 .  He was featured artist with the Chicago Cultural
Center for Chicago artists month (06’) and recently completed an
installation project titled ‘Temporary Allegiance’ on the Expresso de Las
Americas (Dec. 2007) in San Juan, PR. Upcoming solo exhibitions at
Elmhurst college, Northeastern university, Vane gallery (U.K) and the
Chicago Cultural Center.

Posted on June 12, 2008 at 09:27 PM   |   Comment  (1 comments)