A Puerto Rican United States?

Chris S

Came across this just now:

image%2001



As you can tell it is a Puerto Rican flag with a twist....oh and there are 51 stars.

It was apparently created by Josué Pellot (a Puerto Rican) back in late 2007 as artwork meant to explore Puerto Rican identity. It's entitled Temporary Allegiance.

The image is from his home page at: http://www.josuepellot.com/imagepage01.htm

Other relevant sites actually have interviews with him and his view on the work:

http://fluxcore.org/article.php?id=69

As with Pellot’s work in previous solo exhibitions and collaborations - such as Bodega Dreams, Cultural Crossing, and Post-Colonialism and After - the flag installation explores the influence and symbolic meaning of colonialism and how it affects the national identity of Puerto Rico. As an island native from Aguadilla, Pellot has had first hand experience with the cultures of both the Caribbean and the United States.

“The flag is meant to create change, even if it’s metaphoric or symbolic. The 51 stars represent the 50 American states plus Puerto Rico – how a new star is added with each new state. The composition of the flag intends to make the colonized assume the role of the colonizers while representing the Puerto Rican Diaspora throughout the States.”

“Given its history with La Guerra de Las Banderas (War of the Flags) in 2004, the location of the flag along an expressway across from a giant mall is part of the piece – it serves as a perfect backdrop for a statement on consumerism and commercialism as newer forms of colonialism.
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.....blah, blah, blah.

http://www.artnet.com/magazineus/reviews/robinson/robinson4-14-08.asp

A second work by the artist is a large hybrid version of the Puerto Rican flag with its five alternating red and white stripes appearing as normal but its blue triangle containing not a single star but 51 in all -- an emblem, Pellot said, of the "reverse colonization" of the U.S. by Puerto Rico. Called Temporary Allegiance, it is as well a symbol of the Puerto Rican diaspora. "People do get upset when they see it," Pellot added. "Many people are ready to join ‘the war of the flags’." The two works are $10,000 and $12,000, respectively.
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Damn!:eek: $10,000 for putting 51 stars in a Puerto Rican flag instead of just 1?!!?!!?!? AH flag-makers take note! If you're ever in trouble with the bills just describe your flags as "art" and then sell them.:D

This flag also seems just set for an AH Challenge.....
 

Lord Grattan

I've often thought that many of the flags, maps and things posted here free for the taking could make some $ for their creators.
 

Chris S

Lord Grattan said:
I've often thought that many of the flags, maps and things posted here free for the taking could make some $ for their creators.
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Yes, that would be something wouldn't it? AH.com would suddenly look more like brokerage house than a forum. It's a good thing then that us forumers like things to be free as they are now - no hassle.
 
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