El Museo del Barrio is turning 50 this year, and it's kicking off the celebrations with an exhibit that takes a deep dive into its permanent collection.
"Culture and the People: El Museo del Barrio, 1969-2019," from April 11 to September 29, features more than 120 artworks by nearly 80 artists reflecting the museum's core mission to promote Latinx and Latin American art and culture.
The show is divided into three themes: Roots, Resistance and Resilience. Although work from the last 50 years dominates the galleries, visitors will encounter everything from ancient Taino treasures (carved bone vomiting stick, anyone?) to a contemporary vibrating robot by Arnaldo Morales.
And while the political art–like the costume of Queen Isabella of Spain used as part of a commentary on territorial expansion–is sure to leave an impact, work that celebrates cultural traditions is just as powerful. This includes the life-size homage to the piragua cart by Puerto Rican artist Edgar Ruiz Zapata.
