Trópico es Político: Arte Caribeño Bajo el Régimen De La Economía Del Visitante

Trópico es político is a group exhibition that investigates the ideas of paradise and fiscal paradise in the work produced by contemporary artists in the Caribbean sphere. This show approaches the Caribbean as a region subject to a set of particular structural circumstances, a product of the visitor economy regime. The term “visitor economy” denotes the economic activity by the people who visit a place, and can permeate all aspects of life, transforming a society into one that serves the tourist or visitor experience, while the term “regime” emphasizes the hierarchical economic, cultural, and social structures that reproduce these ideas. These themes are intertwined with the successive colonial histories, as well as the identity and nation-building processes of the Caribbean’s so-called post-colonial present. Centered around three main axes, the body, territory, and finances, the works that make up the exhibition delve into the effects of tourism on artists. There are 19 artists from 11 different countries, including Puerto Rico, participating in Trópico es político.

Through their works, and the way in which they develop their lives and careers, the artists that make up the exhibition propose ways of seeing and reinterpreting life in the Caribbean; not merely pointing out flaws but also the opportunities to transform ourselves and our future. Trópico es político features works by artists Allora & Calzadilla, Dionne Benjamin-Smith, Ricardo Cabret, Carolina Caycedo, Donna Conlon, Jonathan Harker, Blue Curry, Gwladys Gambie, Sofía Gallisá Muriente, Dalton Gata, Abigail Hadeed, Joiri Minaya, Darién Montañez, José Morbán, nibia pastrana santiago, Oneika Russell, Dave Smith, Yiyo Tirado, Viveca Vázquez, and Averia Wright.

Curated by MAC Curator Marina Reyes Franco.

Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Puerto Rico

Rafael M. Labra building

Ponce de León Ave. #1220, Stop 18,

Santurce, Puerto Rico