Model for Fiesta”

Luis Jiménez, Model for "Fiesta", 1986, cast fiberglass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, Public Buildings Service, 1987.14.1, © 1986, Luis Jiménez
Luis Jiménez, Model for "Fiesta", 1986, cast fiberglass, 19 3420 1413 in. (50.251.433.0 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, Public Buildings Service, 1987.14.1, © 1986, Luis Jiménez

Artwork Details

Title
Model for Fiesta”
Date
1986
Dimensions
19 3420 1413 in. (50.251.433.0 cm.)
Copyright
© 1986, Luis Jiménez
Credit Line
Transfer from the General Services Administration, Public Buildings Service
Mediums
Mediums Description
cast fiberglass
Classifications
Subjects
  • Figure group
  • Mexican
  • Dress — accessory — hat
  • Recreation — dancing
  • Ceremony — dance
  • Ceremony — festival — fiesta
  • General Services Administration — Art-in-Architecture Program
Object Number
1987.14.1

Artwork Description

The General Services Administration commissioned Luis Jiménez to make Fiesta—Jarabe for the Otay Mesa border station near San Diego, California. The Mexican couple is dancing a traditional Mexican hat dance, called jarabe. The piece is typical of Jiménez's focus on the Hispanic working class. After the sculpture's installation, some viewers criticized the work for its lack of "respect for Mexican culture" (ARTnews, March 1992). They complained that the woman's dress was Spanish, not Mexican, and too tight, while the man's skin was too dark and he had rolls of fat hanging over his pants. Jiménez defended his piece, explaining that he was presenting "real people in a real situation." This piece is a model for the completed sculpture, which was installed in 1991 and stands about nine feet tall.

Works by this artist (24 items)

Luis Jiménez, Model for "Fiesta", 1986, cast fiberglass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, Public Buildings Service, 1987.14.1, © 1986, Luis Jiménez
Model for Fiesta”
Date1986
cast fiberglass
On view
Luis Jiménez, Man on Fire, 1969, fiberglass in acrylic urethane resin on painted wood fiberboard base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Philip Morris Incorporated, 1979.124, © 1969, Luis Jiménez
Man on Fire
Date1969
fiberglass in acrylic urethane resin on painted wood fiberboard base
On view
Luis Jiménez, Vaquero, modeled 1980/cast 1990, acrylic urethane, fiberglass, steel armature, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Judith and Wilbur L. Ross, Jr., Anne and Ronald Abramson, and Thelma and Melvin Lenkin, 1990.44, © 1980, Luis Jiménez
Vaquero
Datemodeled 1980/cast 1990
acrylic urethane, fiberglass, steel armature
On view
Luis Jiménez, "Patty Ann" Rodeo Queen, 1971, colored pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Patricia Wilder Croce, 2008.8
Patty Ann” Rodeo Queen
Date1971
colored pencil on paper
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Jeremy Anderson, Triumph of the Egg, 1970, assembled, painted and shellacked wood, fiberglass and sand, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak, 1983.92.1
Triumph of the Egg
Date1970
assembled, painted and shellacked wood, fiberglass and sand
On view
Maria Faedo, A Matter of Trust, 1994, paper on fiberglass screen with cotton thread, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1995.21
A Matter of Trust
Date1994
paper on fiberglass screen with cotton thread
Not on view
Rosemarie Castoro, Hexatryst, 1979, mixed media: fiberglass, plastic, copper, suede and paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1980.49.4
Hexatryst
Date1979
mixed media: fiberglass, plastic, copper, suede and paper
Not on view