Tropical is Political, contemporary caribbean artists at Americas Society

Image: Yiyo Tirado, Caribe Hostil, 2020. Blue glass neon. Dimensions variable. 

Courtesy of the artist and Km 0.2

Americas Society presents Tropical is Political: Caribbean Art Under The Visitor Economy Regime, curated by Marina Reyes Franco. The show investigates the ideas of natural and fiscal paradise, and the geographical coincidence of these concepts within the Caribbean region, where tourism and finance form the “visitor economy regime.” Tropical is Political features works by 19 contemporary artists from the Caribbean and its diasporas, including Allora & Calzadilla, Sofía Gallisá Muriente, Gwladys Gambie, Abigail Hadeed, Joiri Minaya, José Morbán, Dave Smith, Yiyo Tirado, Oneika Russell, among others. Through video, installation, painting, and sculpture, the exhibition will underline the effects of tourism and finance on subjects including economic policy, self-image, and artistic production.

Image: Ricardo Cabret, Guión criptográfico (Ofuscación costera) [Cryptographic Script (Coastal Obfuscation)], 2022. Software (JavaScript) on browser installation, poplar wood, Mac mini, two 32" displays, HDMI cables, dimensions variable. Courtesy of the artist.

Opening reception to celebrate on Wednesday, September 7 from 6:00 to 8:00pm. The exhibition will be on display from September 7 to December 17, 2022.

View gallery and visitors information here.

This exhibition is curated by Marina Reyes Franco, curator at the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Puerto Rico. Tropical is Political is presented in collaboration with Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Puerto Rico, San Juan where the exhibition will be on view in spring 2023.