simon bolivar steps by mimmo rubino

simon bolivar steps by mimmo rubinoall images courtesy of mimmo rubino

using the principals of anamorphosis, a monument to venezuelan politician and emancipator simon bolivar is given a reframed approach. mimmo rubino uses the vocabulary of space to address the social by filling the voids of a stair to resemble pyramidal form, a traditional symbol of power and marker of conquest-tinged victory. the steps are rendered unusable and need be traversed in a way that ruptures the original circulation of the space. while the work was presented as part of the biennial del sur in panama, the intervention feels like an unsanctioned reclamation of public space, a fitting tribute a sculptural glorification of the revolutionary liberator of latin america from imperial spain, a man that later declared himself a dictator. the dichotomy of the independence leader-turned-despot is reflected in the unabashed occupation of the plaza.    

from a specific perspective, the slanted blocks come together to form a triangular form 

alternative point of view breaks the illusion 

the project is arguably a reclamation of public space

detail view 

fly-by-night installation process 

in progress view 

installation view 

individual block components

drawing shows different block modules