MUSEO DE LOS BALSEROS

1996

Franklin Furnace Archive

NYC

The "Museo de los Balseros," involved the exhibition of rafts and peripheral objects that had been found out at sea that had once belonged to Cuban rafters searching for amnesty in the U.S.† The variety of objects exhibited were: inflatable inner-tubes, wood, rope, sails, lists of phone numbers, medicine, water bottles, religious artifacts, compasses, navigational devices and personal items. During the course of the exhibit of "El Museo de los Balseros," a six-person panel discussion took place focusing on the topics of: Art, Economics and Politics. None of the objects displayed at the Franklin Furnace Archive were found to have pertained to survivors.

PANEL PARTICIPANTS

Dr.Juan Martinez - Florida International University,Miami,Fl.

Dr.Juan Clark - Miami-Dade College, Miami, Fl.

Dr.Jorge Hernandez - Dartmouth University, Hanover, NH.

Dr.Mary Anne - Staniszewski Rensselaer Institute,  N.Y.

Dr.Damian Fernandez - Florida International U, Miami, Fl.

Humberto Sanchez - Brothers to the Rescue - Founding member

DEDICATION:

To the Pilot’s that were shot down over international waters as they searched to save the lives of Cuban rafters.

A- Armando Alejandre Jr.

B-  Pablo Morales

C-  Carlos Costa

D-  Mario de la Peña

IMAGE CREDIT:

1. 1)Exhibit Invitation, Image of the Patron Saint of Cuba, La Virgen De la Caridad del Cobre
   

2. 2)Cuban Rafters found out at Sea / Miami Herald.

9) Cork board with text, three chairs.

8) Conference and opening

7) Installation Shot

6) Raft found out at Sea

5) Raft found out at Sea

4) Detail of Vetrine: / Top Row: Medicines and Water bottles Inflatable Tire repair kit / Middle Row: Papers with Home and family contact info small radio and repair kit / Bottom Row: Clothing found on rafts & religous items relating to Ellegua

3) Vetrine at the Franklin Furnace Archive, Right / Book with literature Left