This is a relatively small piece; about 6 inches long. It’s called Centralista, Federalista in reference to the two opposing factions that came about after Colombia gained its first independance, which was taken away again by Spain’s “reconquering” forces after only five years. This five-year period was know as ” la Patria Boba”; directly translated would probably mean “The Silly Nation”. There are two plasticine heads; one of Antonio Nariño, leader of the Centralists, who believed in having a centralized government and Camilo Torres who believed in a Federal State. I’ve used two symbols: the diamond and the club from the deck of cards to represent these two sides, whose idiologies I believe have transformed through history to : Conservatives and Liberals, the church and “no” church, right wing and left wing/ socialism, paramilitary versus guerilla, etc.
I suppose I could give it a second title in English “What side are you on?”
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Centralista, Federalista- What side are you on?- mixed media- 2007
