Double Phantom/EntroP.R.

Miguel Luciano, Double Phantom/EntroP.R., 2017, 1952 Schwinn Phantom bicycles, flags, overall: 120 × 40 × 32 in. (304.8 × 101.6 × 81.3 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible by Marianna and Juan A. Sabater, 2020.25.1, © 2017, Miguel Luciano. photo: Jason Wyche

Artwork Details

Title: Double Phantom/EntroP.R.
Artist: Miguel Luciano
Date: 2017
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum
/
3rd Floor
/
East Wing
Dimensions: overall: 120 × 40 × 32 in. (304.8 × 101.6 × 81.3 cm)
Copyright: © 2017, Miguel Luciano. photo: Jason Wyche
Credit Line: Museum purchase made possible by Marianna and Juan A. Sabater
Mediums: bicycle
Mediums Description: 1952 Schwinn Phantom bicycles, flags
Classifications: Installation Art
Highlights: Latinx Art
Subjects: Architecture — vehicle — bicycle
Object Number: 2020.25.1
Linked Open Data: https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/2020.25.1

Artwork Description

Two cherry-red Schwinn bicycles, decked out with horns and American and Puerto Rican flags, are joined to form one three-wheeled, double-headed creature.

The word pa'lante, Spanish slang meaning "forward," glows above. The term became famous as the name of a civil rights newspaper in Puerto Rico in the 1960s. In following years, it has evoked Puerto Rican independence and statehood and become a mindset of strength and resilience in the face of hurricanes and other hardships.

Paired with a bicycle that can go in two directions at once--and so goes nowhere--the word also takes on an ironic meaning. Luciano's sculpture brims with Puerto Rican pride while acknowledging the difficulties that hinder the island's forward motion.