About the project · Informal Public School

I find myself in front of the statue of Christopher Colom- bus. I’m wearing a white tunic I brought from the Bolivian Amazon region and I’m blindfolded. I remain still, waiting for the reaction of passers-by and of those participating in my action. Beside me, there is a recipient with red ink and a slender jute cord, waiting to be used by people to tie me up. I wait. I don’t know how much time has gone by, but su- ddenly, I feel my body being cut into pieces due to the for- ce they have begun to use, tugging and binding me. While they are at it, the cord gets wet, dying my tunic red. I don’t see my body, but I do realize that there must be people all around. The strength with which they pull on the cord that entwines me varies from one to the next. I can feel it on my torso, my legs and even my head. When I feel like they can’t pull any tighter, I begin to cut the hard cord with a small kni- fe. It’s an arduous task, and it takes some time. I fight to free myself and I hurt myself trying. I finally manage to break free from the cord and proceed to take off the blindfold. I open my eyes; the Southern sun is strong and indicates midday. I look and point to the statue of Columbus for a long time. Slowly, I lower my hand. I begin to recognize the territory, the hidden times of colonization and I attack the processes of harassment in the presence of the so-called ‘discoverer of the New World’. I finish my action and leave, my body marked by time.

— Héctor Canonge