The Blessing / La Bendicíon
“The Blessing” called into question the goals of modernism by juxtaposing a reproduction in eighty percent scale of the Villa Savoye by Le Corbusier with the harsh realities of the blight-ridden area underneath interstate I-395. “La Bendición / the Blessing” experienced various stages of repair during the three years it was exhibited (2001-2003) and always remained free and open for the public. Originally sponsored by the City of Miami and the C.R.A. “The Blessing / La Bendición” was first installed during the year Art Basel / Miami Beach 2001 when it was postponed due to the 9-11 attacks in 2001. “The Blessing / La Bendicíon” was reconstructed and stayed open through Art Basel Miami Beach 2003. As of 2017, I-395 being construction and is being replaced by a new highway that is taller and allows for more light to flow underneath the freeway where there will also a world class park connecting Overtown to Museum Park. By 2020 there were twenty new high-rises in the surrounding area which is a far cry from the blight ridden context that existed when the exhibit took place.
Reflections on a Blessing
2020-2023 / Carlos & Rosa de la Cruz Collection, Miami, FL
A sixteen-foot lightbox was created and exhibited at the Carlos & Rosa de la Cruz collection in 2020 the year Art Basel Miami Beach was cancelled due to the pandemic. The objects exhibited on the lightbox were: slides, transparencies, sketches and photographs that all pertained to documentation, construction and creation of “La Bendición / the Blessing” 2001-2003.
Rosa de la Cruz was a dear friend of mine and I am honored to have exhibited at her collection in the Miami Design District. The analog objects exhibited were neither altered or manipulated by modern technological means thereby illustrating a certain truth regarding the efforts involved in realizing the above-mentioned project.
