Deborah Castillo: Political Iconoclasm and Other Forms of Civil Disobedience

Curated by Sara Garzón, the exhibition titled "Deborah Castillo: Political Iconoclasm and Other Forms of Civil Disobedience" examines Castillo's political dissent and the manner in which she answers to the repressive Venezuelan government. Taking the iconic figure of Simón Bolivar—liberator of a large part of South America—as point of departure, Castillo investigates this national myth through the construction of political and military heroes. Confronting the regime of already deceased Hugo Chávez, the artist questions the growing nationalist sentiment created by the former Venezuelan president who centered his political campaign on a cult to Simón Bolivar. In a series of interventions to the classic bust of "The Liberator," Castillo reveals the failures of the state and its utopic promises. Despite being aware of Chávez's efforts to crush any opposition, Castillo promulgated her first act of civil disobedience in a public performance in which she leaked the trunk of a military official. As result of this dangerous action, Castillo was persecuted by the government after Chávez declared her enemy of the state on national TV. The artist protests by playing with the notions of adoration and hate, construction and destruction. The works by Castillo propose a critical look into the social and political history of Venezuela, through a series of iconoclastic gestures that attempt to deconstruct the symbol of Simón Bolivar, with the goal of uncovering the fictional elements, question its legitimacy and ultimately eliminate its power. The exhibition will remain open until April 22 at the Bibliowicz Gallery of Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.