“Te quiero, Madrid” (I love you Madrid) is an artwork consisting of three gunpowder drawings on the wall. The first one is composed of five stars which, if at first sight seem an allusion to Madrid’s flag, actually refer to the corporate symbol of Madrid’s official beer, Mahou. The slogan of the company, Mahoudrid, seems to be particularly accurate as the beer is consumed equally by the homeless and is served in the poshest bars and restaurants of the Spanish capital. The other two drawings are inspired by graffiti that read “BIBA ESPAÑA”, a recurring view in Madrid’s streets. If the expression was first employed to make fun of the ignorance and the lack of culture of right-wing groups and fascists, it then was reappropriated by these same groups to vandalize anti-fascists monuments such as the one dedicated to the International Brigades. The phrase seems to have lost its political and moral compass, becoming an ambiguous symbol in Madrid’s landscape. On the opposite wall we find a mirroring version of the slogan written in neutral language, which changes it to “BIBE ESPAÑE”. These drawings were activated on October 12th, Spain’s National Holiday. The date, also known as Día de la Raza during the Franco regime, celebrates Christopher Columbus’ arrival to the Americas in 1492. The piece was ignited and activated in the barrio of Usera while the annual military pared was held in Madrid’s Paseo de la Castellana. 



Te quiero, Madrid (Madrid, I love you)

The porject consist in one painting, a video, 12 drawings and an installation. Jaguar skin has been used as a currency since ancient Mesoamerican societies in wich this skin was used to cover the price of military and magical activities or to pay significant part of their taxes to their oppressors.

Tributary faults

270 bullet casings were used to plant marijuana, onion and tomatoes in a box with earth. This piece is activated one week before of the exhibition start. Everyday the seeds have to be watered in order to grow the plants. The work lasts till every plants die because lack of space.

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Rubén Ojeda Guzmán

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