La Balsa (2023)

This work, part of a series of 20 pieces, invites reflection on the plastic crisis on our island and its future impact—an urgent concern given warnings that there may be more plastic than fish in our oceans. The piece is made from solid waste collected from Playa Montesino, Juan Dolio, and Boca Chica. The project took around five years to complete. 2023
“La Balsa” is a floating piece featuring 13 constructions with various uses: residential, commercial, and mixed. It forms a complete corner that could be found in any “hood”* of this city, with a communal courtyard where daily activities take place, and the objects left behind indicate the rhythm of everyday life. These structures are modeled after neighborhoods like Villa Francisca, Villa Duarte, and San Carlos, among others. Their colors suggest that the inhabitants migrated from the countryside to the city to start families and find ways to survive, often running small businesses such as colmados, hardware shops, and building second-floor rentals.