Coquí en un Helecho gigante, 2020
32 x 24 inches 81.28 x 60.96 cm
Archival inkjet print of spectrogram depicting visualization of Eleutherodactylus coquí on paper.
This work takes the sounds of the Eleutherodactylus coquí, a frog endemic to Puerto Rico named by the Taino. Coquí is an onomatopoeia for the loud sounds that the small frogs make. I'm interested in the way the sounds connects back to Puerto Rico and performs as a vessel that carries memories, culture and language. For some the sound may be unfamiliar and for others it may serve as a calling from a homeland.
This work was shown in Philadelphia, PA at Vox Populi, Taller Puertorriqueño and HACE Business and Visitor Center in Philadelphia, PA as well as Miami, FL.
In Miami, FL Locust Projects commissioned the mobile sound station. It visited neighborhoods broadcasting sounds of the coquí. There are QR codes and informative post cards that encourage participation for people to share their stories of how they connect with the coquí. These connections can made and heard at coquicalls.com
In Philadelphia,PA there are a series of sound sculptures functioning as base stations that transmit the sound of the coquí throughout the neighborhood. The neighborhood is called "el Centro de Oro" and is the center of the Puerto Rican and Dominican neighborhood in Philadelphia. This part of Philadelphia is rich with murals and urban gardens that continue the traditions from the Caribbean celebrating our culture.
Prints from this exhibition are available to purchase from Taller Puertorriqueño's online shop. 20% of each sale goes to Taller Puertorriqueño supporting their mission elevating and preserving Puerto Rican and Latino culture through arts and cultural programming. With its art-education programs, socially-conscious art exhibitions, book readings, and events, Taller engages the public in dynamic discussions that stimulate the mind, create opportunities and make connections between people and communities.
A vessel for infrasound: Transmission from Arecibo, 2020 Copper, wooden tripod, speaker, frog exciter, Dracaena angolensis,Quercus stump, light reflection dish, H2O, audio components
A vessel for infrasound: Transmission from Arecibo, 2020 Copper, wooden tripod, speaker, frog exciter, Dracaena angolensis,Quercus stump, light reflection dish, H2O, audio components
A vessel for infrasound: Transmission from Arecibo, 2020 Copper, wooden tripod, speaker, frog exciter, Dracaena angolensis,Quercus stump, light reflection dish, H2O, audio components
A vessel for infrasound: Transmission from Arecibo, 2020 Copper, wooden tripod, speaker, frog exciter, Dracaena angolensis,Quercus stump, light reflection dish, H2O, audio components
A vessel for infrasound: Transmission from Arecibo, 2020
Copper, wooden tripod, speaker, frog exciter, Dracaena angolensis,Quercus stump, light reflection dish, H2O, audio components
Photos by Danny Orendorff
Photos by: Zachary Balber at Locust Projects in Miami, FL
Mobile Sound Station, 2020
Photo by: Zachary Balber at Locust Projects in Miami, FL
Coquí en un puente de transmissión, 2020
Copper, LP Tito Puente signature timbale, mcalister telescoping rolling light stand
Photo By: Heather Khalifa for the Philadelphia Inquirer
Coquí Canta por la Noche, 2020
32 x 24 inches 81.28 x 60.96 cm
Archival inkjet print of spectrogram depicting visualization of Eleutherodactylus coquí on paper.