The Orgullo Nacional [National Pride] exhibition showcases recent works by José Morbán and challenges the Dominican national ego and the ways in which history and identity are “constructed” or “erected” from positions of power.
Installation view “Orgullo Nacional” by José Morbán at CCESD, 2024. Foto: José Rozón.
As mentioned in the curatorial text signed by Laura Castro, José Morbán’s Orgullo Nacional exhibition seeks to “de-solidify” Dominican “History” by interrogating patriotic imagery and commemorative culture through an investigation of key historical events and landmarks. The artist reveals the dissonance between national symbols of freedom and state practices of dispossession, pointing out that such actions—alongside the fear of the “other”—are ingrained in cultural heritage. His works focus on two central themes: the border as a marker of identity, and the history of CORDE (Corporación Dominicana de Empresas Estatales, 1966-2017) as a reflection of systemic corruption and dispossession. Through this lens, the exhibition exposes the gap between the national narrative and lived experiences.
Centro Cultural de España en Santo Domingo July 26, 2024 – September 1, 2024 Arzobispo Meriño #2, Ciudad Colonial, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
www.ccesd.org
Installation view “Orgullo Nacional” by José Morbán at CCESD, 2024. Foto: José Rozón
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