Pa-lan-te

Miguel Luciano, Pa-lan-te, 2017, neon, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible by Marianna and Juan A. Sabater, 2020.25.2, © 2017, Miguel Luciano. photo: Jason Wyche
Miguel Luciano, Pa-lan-te, 2017, neon, overall: 120 × 24 in. (304.8 × 61 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible by Marianna and Juan A. Sabater, 2020.25.2, © 2017, Miguel Luciano. photo: Jason Wyche

Artwork Details

Title
Pa-lan-te
Artist
Date
2017
Location
Dimensions
overall: 120 × 24 in. (304.8 × 61 cm)
Copyright
© 2017, Miguel Luciano. photo: Jason Wyche
Credit Line
Museum purchase made possible by Marianna and Juan A. Sabater
Mediums
Mediums Description
neon
Classifications
Subjects
  • Object — letter
Object Number
2020.25.2
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/2020.25.2

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.

Works by this artist (4 items)

Robert Ebendorf, Off the Street, On the Beach, 1992, mixed media of found objects, mostly plastic, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Kenneth R. Trapp in honor of Robert Ebendorf, 2003.27.1
Off the Street, On the Beach
Artist
Date1992
mixed media of found objects, mostly plastic
Not on view
Robert Ebendorf, Lost Soul, Found Spirit, 1996, found materials and metal, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist in memory of Mr. Ronald H. Pearson, 1996.61
Lost Soul, Found Spirit
Artist
Date1996
found materials and metal
Not on view
Robert Ebendorf, Hair Ornament, 1960, silver and plique-à-jour enamel, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist in honor of Brittany Ebendorf, 1998.117
Hair Ornament
Artist
Date1960
silver and plique-à-jour enamel
Not on view
Robert Ebendorf, Necklace, 1972, sterling silver, 14k gold, ivory, bone, copper, amber, and ebony, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Renwick Acquisitions Fund, 1984.53
Necklace
Artist
Date1972
sterling silver, 14k gold, ivory, bone, copper, amber, and ebony
Not on view