(OUT)CAST: Pickaxe by Claes Oldenburg at Fulda River (Kassel); Driftwood at the edge of Paria River (Brasso Seco),

“There is always a city. There is always a civilization. There is always a barbarian with a pickaxe. Sometimes you are the city, sometimes you are the civilization, but to become that city, that civilization, you once took a pickaxe and destroyed what you hated, and what you hated is what you did not understand.” (Jeanette Winterson)

Documenta 15, Kassel, Germany, 2022

I created a poster that was site-specific to two locales— Kassel, Germany, and one of my favorite places in Trinidad—Brasso Seco. I reflected on Claes Oldenburg’s recent passing and his contribution to Documenta from 40 years ago. And I thought of this year’s iteration, filled with mostly with Brown and Black artists, wondering what its legacy will be beyond the controversy coverage.

My poster was simultaneously installed at two sites—1. Exterior wall of Trafo Haus (in Kassel), which houses an independent radio station/multi space 2. Exterior wall of Granderson Lab, a cultural center in Belmont, Trinidad