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Today, I celebrate a year since the inauguration of my exhibition FASE UNO, a milestone that has marked a before and after in my journey as an artist and in the artistic community of Santo Domingo. Reflecting on that November 3rd last year, I feel profoundly grateful for the opportunity to have shared this transformative journey, which culminated in the exhibition of my works in Salem, Massachusetts.
FASE UNO was more than just a simple exhibition; it was a call to action and an invitation to reflect on the plastic crisis affecting our coasts. I presented over 20 miniature pieces, mostly created with recycled materials collected from the beaches of our country. Each work was conceived not only to be visually striking but also to convey a deep message about our relationship with the environment.
I want to start by thanking the Centro Cultural de España, and especially its director, Jesús Oyamburu, as well as Cristina and all the staff who made this dream possible, a dream that took more than six years to come to fruition. The list of acknowledgments is extensive, and each one played a crucial role in this project.
To my friend and brother Andrés Mate Dfa, for accompanying me on this wonderful journey, and to Sir Plastic Drake, who was one of the first to join this cause. From the moment I wrote the script for the video about the journey of waste from the Isabela River to Playa Montesinos, he offered to lend his talent. Through his animation, he was able to raise awareness about the plastic problem affecting our island, an urgent message that needed to be conveyed.
I also want to thank my friends Alexander and Isaías. In their studio, where we spent hours listening to music, their enthusiasm and support were vital. I would talk nonstop about the project, and each conversation made the journey lighter. A special thank you goes to my son Mike, who composed and performed the background music for the exhibition.
I am grateful to my friend Joselo, who has been by my side for so many years, and to my family, as well as to each of the graffiti writers who inspired me to name this exhibition FASE UNO. This name echoes my adolescence, a memory of my time in the underground scene of the city and other provinces, where I left my mark on the walls. FASE UNO is how I was known, and even though I stopped doing it in 1994, that essence remains alive in my work.
I also thank those who placed obstacles in my path and made this project seem impossible. The setbacks became barriers that my love for art managed to overcome. To those who underestimated me for coming from a neighborhood and to those who looked down on me, thanks to you, I was able to exceed all the expectations that some had about me, not out of a desire for satisfaction, but out of love for art.
I will continue in my world, in my bubble, creating art. I hope no artist from my country faces the adversities that I and my project, FASE UNO, had to overcome. This is just the beginning of a new phase, driven by the love and passion for what I do. The urgency of this message became palpable as I delved into the warnings about the future of our oceans, where it is predicted that by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish. My intention was for the exhibition to serve as a mirror reflecting our realities, reminding us of the fragility of our environment and the need to act before it is too late.
I also thank everyone who attended the guided tours I conducted with the public. I learned that artists give what we have inside, and then we feel empty, but the love from the audience fills us in a wonderful way. I received so many hugs, made many friends, learned countless stories, and gained so much insight. Through my works, I aimed to show that art can be a vehicle for social consciousness. Each piece, crafted from materials that could have become waste, invites us to reflect on the potential for reimagination and transformation. This concept of reuse and recycling is not only crucial for the well-being of our planet but also invites us to find beauty and meaning in our own experiences. I learned so much from the audience that I ended up being another spectator myself.
I recall with emotion the many reactions from the audience that I got to know, both in Santo Domingo and in Salem, and later in a talk at Montserrat College of Art, a prestigious university in Massachusetts, where I could feel and see how my works resonated with different audiences. The reception from these diverse publics has been overwhelming, and I was thrilled to see that art can cross borders and connect with people from various cultures.
As I reflect on this year since the inauguration of FASE UNO, I cannot help but feel grateful. Grateful for each person who has felt touched by my work and for the opportunity to shed light on such an urgent issue. This exhibition has not only been a meeting point between art and ecology but also a reminder that each of us has the power to make a difference.
I hope that the message of this exhibition continues to resonate in our hearts and actions. I celebrate this first year with the conviction that art is a vital tool for change and reflection. I am thankful for the opportunity to inspire others and to remind everyone that art has the power to transform lives, starting with my own.
