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Statute

Carlos Martiel (Cuba)

Description

Title: Statute
Artist: Carlos Martiel (1989, Cuba)
Medium: a performance that included a stainless steel mesh structure
Dimensions (H x W): 7 by 4 feet (2.13 by 1.22 metres) 
Location:
šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énk Square (north of the Vancouver Art Gallery) at 800 West Georgia Street in Vancouver
Performance Date: September 7, 2019

During his six-week Vancouver Biennale residency in 2019, Carlos Martiel created a series of performance works, each confronting the ongoing perpetuation of colonial violence in Canada against Indigenous people. Using the body as both a site and a source, the first performance, Under Occupation, addressed the colour of the Canadian flag while the second, Statute, used the silhouette of local Indigenous artist Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun and referenced the limitations of the Indian Act.

For his third performance work, entitled Agony, Martiel had intended to focus on the effect of Canada’s Residential School System. This work currently remains unrealized.

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Special thanks to the following:  

Marcon Metal Fabricator, Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun, Tonel, Manuel Piña, TransLink, City of Vancouver, Vancouver Park Board, Neekoo Philanthropic Society, Buschlen Mowatt Nichol Foundation, and Member of Parliament Dr. Hedy Fry and office.

Photo credits: roaming-the-planet, Svava Tergesen, and Tonel.

Video credit: Svava Tergesen and Moncif.

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