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Yes, technically, I left Puerto Rico and am back here in NYC, at least I think so. As my husband so eloquently put it when he arrived home from work the other day “I’m not back yet”.  So basically my Colombiano partner had the same response to my patria as Nuyorican Poet, Pedro Pietri (que en paz descanse) described when he sang, to the tune of Mi Viejo San Juan:

Becossss,

I’m still in Puerto Rico

Only my body came

My strong spirit remains

Everything’s still de same

Thus, I’ve been laying low since being (physically) “back”.  It’s to recover from my zombie-like state. Guess I’m waiting for my spirit to board a Jet Blue flight and come meet me over here and make me whole again, if that’s possible.  

Among what I left behind, well Yemaya.  Remember that exhibit she had packed her bags for? I’ll report on the African Traditions Symposium, the accompanying exhibition and other Boriken experiences in my next several posts, as they deserve their own.  Just thought I’d pay tribute to Yemaya who unlike me, who will be swimming in the murky greenish, brown waters of Rockaway beach, she is still chillin in sunny Boriken, swimming in its turquoise waters. Wish I were still there with her. 

After 7 years of creating/ exhibiting this very installation, as it’s been requested often, I’m thinking of “retiring” this Yemaya piece and developing another that is more connected to Vieques. More on that later, when the piece comes. 

Here is Yemaya (possibly the last time this installation will be exhibited) en el Museo de la Casa Escuté in Carolina, PR, a beautiful museum en la Plaza. 

For those of you who will be in Puerto Rico before August 10 (the day the show ends), feel free to pay her a visit and check out the other incredible artwork all dedicated to the lovely African Cultural and Spiritual traditions of Puerto Rico and the Diaspora.  Take la carretera no. 3 to Carolina Centro. Casa Escuté is across from the Alcadía. 

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Playa Tamarindo and others in Culebra, PR is the place I gathered sea glass, sea stones and conch shells for the altar.

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Yaz installing Yemaya

  
Yaz arranging sea offerings

Completed Installation

Me and Yemaya

Lovely architectural details of Casa Escute

Here's a detail of some of those amazing stones that glistened green and blue with the sun in the waters of Playa Tamarindo.  Not quite the same effect indoors, but a stunning sight on a beach of black rocks and white coral.  Anyhow, Yemaya still likes them and is appreciative to have them before her altar……..

 Peace+blessings,
Yaz