“Fata Morgana” is a type of illusion that occurs on the coasts of Italy and China, reflecting an entire city on the horizon, where in reality there is nothing but sea.
I found that expression ideal to describe how the history of the region has unfolded, where decisions have been made based on what seems to be there and to be attainable, but then there is nothing.
In Fata Morgana, the alliance Central America has recently signed with China through a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), I point out the immense differences between our cultures, the fact that in all reality we don’t know Chinese culture at all. The promise of progress attached to this agreement is probably a mirage – a Fata Morgana of sorts- as similar agreements with world powers like the USA have yielded very little profit in the past.
The work consists of a room painted in red (a traditional Chinese color), with traditional ceramic pots placed upside down on the ceiling of the gallery. In addition, there is salt on the ground as a symbol of what is spilled from the relationship with China. This element represents something that at some point in history had great value, but has now lost it. In another version, executed in Panamá, for the Bienal del Sur 2013, I didn’t use salt: instead, I smashed some of the porcelain, thus giving the impression of the vases falling off. This reinforces the uncertainty of the whole situation, as nothing seems to be securely “attached” and things could suddenly fall on top of us.
