Eulogy to Ana Mendieta / Elogio para Ana Mendieta (1986)

Welded metal, black feathers / metal soldado, plumas negras

〰

Eulogy to Ana Mendieta / Elogio para Ana Mendieta (1986) Welded metal, black feathers / metal soldado, plumas negras

Eulogy to Ana Mendieta is modeled after the loutrophoros, a type of amphora used in ancient Greece for funeral rites. It is dedicated to the memory of the Cuban artist, whom Jorge Luis had met in 1982. Both were among the fifteen artists invited to design site-specific installations for “Art Across the Park.” Three years later, her promising career was tragically cut short when she fell from a 34th floor penthouse apartment in Greenwich Village. Her husband, the minimalist sculptor Carl Andre, was alleged to have pushed his wife to her death during an argument. Much like the scenes and characters depicted on Greek amphorae, the two roosters and two hens are a decorative allusion to this version of events. Moreover, a kinetic effect is activated by the viewer as they walk around the sculpture, simulating a fight and more broadly, the couple’s tumultuous relationship. This optical illusion was inspired by the work of 19th century English photographer Eadweard Muybridge, famous for his photographic studies in motion. Andre was subsequently arrested on second degree murder charges, though his case would be acquitted. A reproduction of one of his minimalist installations is included as the flooring of the sculpture. In addition, the laurel wreath placed atop the six-foot sculpture is an homage to the work of Mendieta. It is an ancient Greek symbol of triumph, later adopted by the Romans, which Jorge Luis uses to “crown” her achievements. Decades later, it can also be considered a reference to her enduring legacy and influence. Eulogy was exhibited in 1986 at a gallery in SoHo, NYC.

Elogio para Ana Mendieta se base en el loutrophoros, un tipo de anfora usado en Grecia antigua para los ritos funerarios. Se dedica a la memoria de la artista cubana, quien Jorge Luis conocio en 1982. Ambos se encontraban entre los quince artistas invitados a disenar instalaciones de sitio especifico para „Art Across the Park“. Tres anos mas tarde, su carrera prometedora fue interrumpida tragicamente cuando cayo de un apartamento del piso 34 en Greenwich Village. Su marido, el escultor minimalista Carl Andre, presuntamente habia empujado a su esposa a su muerte durante una rina. Al igual que las escenas y personajes representados en anforas griegas, los dos gallos y las dos gallinas son una alusion decorativa a esta version de los acontecimientos. Por otra parte, un efecto cinetico es activado por el espectador mientras camina alrededor de la escultura, simulando una lucha y mas ampliamente, la tumultuosa relacion de la pareja. Esta ilusion optica se inspiro en la obra del fotografo ingles del siglo XIX Eadweard Muybridge, famoso por sus estudios fotograficos en movimiento. Luego, Andre fue detenido por cargos de asesinato de segundo grado, aunque su caso seria absuelto. Una reproduccion de una serie de sus instalaciones minimalistas se incluye como el piso de la escultura. Ademas, la corona de laurel colocada encima de la escultura de seis pies es un homenaje a la obra de Mendieta. Es un simbolo griego antiguo del triunfo, adoptado mas adelante por los romanos, que Jorge Luis utiliza para „coronar“ los logros de ella. Decadas mas tarde, tambien puede considerarse una referencia a su legado perdurable e influyente. Eulogio fue exhibido en 1986 en una galeria en SoHo.