"Burn your Ships" is a theatrical installation set on the Stone Barge at Vizcaya Museum. This idea came to me around Valentine's Day 2021, reflecting on a muse who had rejected me the previous year. Inspired by the story of General Hernan Cortes, a Spanish conquistador, who burned his fleet's ships to leave his crew no option of escape and force them to face their fears. This night was known as the "Noche Triste," and the gesture was so powerful that it ultimately led to the fall of the Aztec Empire, despite his crew's initial fear.
This installation aims to be less violent and more intentional for me. The metaphorical burning serves as a reminder to confront your fears and wholeheartedly pursue your endeavors, relationships, and work. It urges you to commit and pursue with unwavering passion and focus.
This would be constructed on a thin metal scaffold frame to minimize attachment points to the barge and make the installation and breakdown more delicate. It would then be draped with red, yellow, and orange tulle, which would flutter in the wind.
Shown here are a photo collage and the original sketch collage where the fire was painted on several layers of translucent paper and stacked on the sketch.
