José Bedia

(Cuba, 1959)

Proposal

<p>José Bedia, <em>Sails Project,</em> inSITE94 (proposal).</p> <p>José Bedia, <em>Sails Project,</em> inSITE94 (proposal).</p>

After a visit to California, Cuban artist José Bedia proposed to address the subject of cultural mythology and modes of transportation in his installation Sails Project (Proyecto de velas para navegar). Covering the entrance façade of the Santa Fe Depot in downtown San Diego with large yellow sails displaying silhouettes of mythological figures, Bedia’s piece explored issues of colonization and the subjugation and preservation of culture. Incorporating the names of Native American tribes and John Henry, it touched on California’s past and in turn brought about a consideration of the confluence of cultures between Mexico and the US.

Curator: Margaret Porter Troupe
Organizer: African American Museum of Fine Arts
Venue: Santa Fe Depot, San Diego

Acknowledgments

Additional project sponsors
Emerald Shapery Center, Joan and Irwin Jacobs, Porter Randall Gallery, Margaret and Quincy Troupe.