The tragic fate of Atlas, the Titan condemned to hold up the sky on his shoulders for eternity, has been the subject of numerous artistic rende- rings, the Farnese Atlas, being the oldest (150 A.D.) and most famous example. The original design of this interpretation by Jorge Luis dates back to a sketch completed in 1999. From there, six steel modules were produced, each contain 52 stars. They were then welded together into a 500 lb. celestial sphere with a total of 312 stars. Atlas, however, is only a figurative depiction of the Greek myth. It was designed as a public in- stallation at the lower level of the Marcus Garvey Acropolis. There, it will provide an abstract representation of the multicultural patrimony of Har- lem, specifically the individuals, or “stars”, past and present, who have contributed to its cultural vibrancy. For Jorge Luis, their creative and cul- tural legacy constitute a “universe” whose origins are concentrated within the neighborhood. The term ‚atlas‘ also refers to first cervical vertebrae of the spine which is responsible for supporting the head. The steel orb can therefore be construed as the “head” of the sculpture, and an allusion to the brilliant thinkers and intellectual capital of Harlem.

El destino tragico de Atlas, el Titan condenado a mantener el cielo sobre sus hombros por la eternidad, ha sido objeto de numerosas representaci- ones artisticas, el Atlas Farnese, siendo el mas antiguo (150 A.D.), es el ejemplo mas famoso. El diseno original de esta interpretacion de Jorge Luis se remonta a un dibujo completado en 1999. De alli, se produjeron seis modulos de acero, cada consiste de 52 estrellas. Entonces fueron soldadas juntas para formar una esfera celestial de 500 libras con un total de 312 estrellas. Atlas, sin embargo, es solo una representacion figurativa del mito griego. Fue disenado para una instalacion publica en el nivel inferior de la Acropolis Marcus Garvey. Alli, proporcionara una represen- tacion abstracta del patrimonio multicultural de Harlem, especificamente los individuos, o „estrellas“, pasados y presentes, que han contribuido a su vitalidad cultural. Para Jorge Luis, el legado creativo y cultural de ellos constituye un „universo“ cuyos origenes se concentran en la comunidad. El termino atlas tambien se refiere a las primeras vertebras cervicales de la columna vertebral que es responsable de sostener la cabeza. La esfera de acero puede, por lo tanto, ser interpretado como la „cabeza“ de la escultura, una alusion a los pensadores brillantes y la sede intelectual de Harlem.