jorge rodriguez-gerada sets terrestrial interventions from buenos aires to san antonio

jorge rodriguez-gerada sets terrestrial interventions from buenos aires to san antonio
all images courtesy of jorge rodriguez-gerada

cuban american artist jorge rodríguez-gerada shares his latest works — a series of three portraits set within geographically diverse locations and using various artistic techniques. san antonio, texas — paris, france — and buenos aires, argentina are the home to rodríguez-gerada’s new works for his ‘terrestrail series’ and urban mural.

‘nyssa’ is a 10 year old girl who became the model of rodríguez-gerada’s latest terrestrial intervention in san antonio, texas. the portrait — spanning 100 x 150 feet (30 x 46 meters) has been painted directly onto the christopher columbus italian society parking lot, next to the inlet structure of san pedro creek. the specific site, one that for many years was a racial dividing line, addresses the diverse populations of the city and marks an important recreational area for social cohesion and cultural exchange.

‘I want you to take away that this portrait can be any little girl…’ the artist explains ‘anyone from san antonio. enjoy her content gaze, its intent and the possibilities for the city’s future’.

‘nyssa’ is painted directly onto the christopher columbus italian society parking lot in san antonio, texas

the 10 year old girl became the model of rodríguez-gerada’s latest intervention

google maps has recently updated a satellite image of the aubervilliers section of paris, which now includes rodriguez-gerada’s ‘grounded gratitude‘ work. the image displays the portrait of an unsung hero, a woman named ‘mrs. picquart’ who has worked for many years creating cultural links in the area. it is through her commitment for social integration of the poorest residents, particularly women and young people, that she has created such a positive impact in her community.

rodriguez-gerada pays homage to the figure through one his largest and realistic portraits to date — a 4000 sq.ft (1200m2) image visible from sky, earth, through its virtual documentation and at the location where visitors experience walking through it.

rodriguez-gerada pays homage to ‘mrs. picquart’ through one his largest and realistic portraits to date

‘grounded gratitude’ can be viewed through a satellite image on google maps

although rodriguez-gerada’s best known works are typically inscribed into the earth, his hand-painted murals carry the same weight and message as his terrestrial series. ‘david’ is an 11 year old boy studying at the isauro arancibia education center in the san telmo district of buenos aires. this school provides education to more than two hundred youth who live on the streets or are in danger of becoming homeless. now, the building that houses the institution is threatened by possible demolition to make way for a bus route.

rodriguez-gerada’s intricately-painted mural intends to raise awareness to the problems of the school by revealing the image of a student who relies on its presence for support and care.

the portrait of ‘david’ a student at the isauro arancibia education center in buenos aires

the mural intends to raise awareness to the problems of the school ‘david’ attends

the mural is located in  san telmo, on the corner of tacuari and venezuela streets