Created by
Luciano, Miguel, born 1972
Date
2006
Medium
polyurethane encased in platinum with sterling silver in Plexiglas with synthetic fiber
Dimensions
H x W x D (pendant and chain): 16 × 12 × 3 in. (40.6 × 30.5 × 7.6 cm)
H x W x D (plexiglass vitrine): 20 × 16 × 6 in. (50.8 × 40.6 × 15.2 cm)
Caption
This plantain sculpture is a casing of a plantain made with urethane (or polyurethane) resin which is then casted in platinum for durability, differing from other sculptures in Miguel Luciano's series Pure Plantainum that encase real plantains. With its metallic tint of silver, the sculpture has preserved the curves and details of the fruit.
The thick, silver curb chain necklace was added to create an interactive art piece, as seen in the image Platáno Pride (NMAAHC 2021.70.2). Serving as a jewelry piece, it is reflective of hip-hop fashion, hip-hop culture as Latinx-inclusive, and a visible, conspicuous way to hold pride of Caribbean Latinx identity. Plátano, or plantain, is a fruit commonly consumed in the Caribbean but has historically also been tied to derogatory terms regarding immigration, race, and class. Caribbean Latinx communities have since reclaimed the word.
Description
A plantain sculpture cast in platinum and presented as a pendant on a sterling silver curb chain.
Cultural Place
Caribbean, Latin America
Place depicted
Brooklyn, New York City, Kings County, New York, United States, North and Central America
Portfolio/Series
Pure Plantainium
Classification
Visual Arts
Movement
Nuyorican Movement
Type
necklaces
pendants (jewelry)
sculpture
Topic
African diaspora
Art
Foodways
Hip-hop (Music)
Identity
Immigration
Migrations
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture purchased with funds provided by the Smithsonian Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Latino Center
Object number
2021.70.1
Restrictions & Rights
© Miguel Luciano
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd54f7b27a8-4875-4c35-9b22-57d79336e1c7

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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