Justicia, 2003

VCS Atari 2600 Jr., Atari Cartridge, 19 TV sets
Dimensions Variable


Justicia (Justice)  is an installation conformed by 19 television sets, an Atari 2600 Jr (belonged to Jesus Mohamad, my cousin, who was killed in the tragedy of April 11, 2002, happened in the city of Caracas), and an Atari cartridge.  All the TV sets are connected among each other and these are connected to the Atari.  Therefore, the content is transmitted simultaneously to each one of the monitors.  In the screens there is a word that continuously it changes of color.  This word, generated by the Atari in real time, is the word "JUSTICE".  

Each television set corresponds to each one of the victims killed on April 11, 2002.  In this sense, all the machines are interconnected to each other, in order to amplify simultaneously a precise message, clean of artifices and political reasons.  The 19 TV monitors are arranged in relation to the planimetry of the people who died during April 11, 2002, building a route that emulates the geographic space where the bloody shooting happened.

The use of the Atari in this work is fundamental, not only because of its historical value (universal and personal), but, also, for what it represents; that is to say, the game, the childhood, the past.  

Also, the project approaches fundamental antecedents and properties that define the media and political behavior in Venezuela.  Television, besides to serve as a battlefield between the President and its opponents, has been a key element in the success and failure of the so badly called "revolution".  Let us remember that Lieutenant Colonel, Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías, managed to get himself known as a result of a televised appearance he made in February 4, 1992.  That same day, and as a result of the failed coup led by Chávez 19 people died, just like April 11, 2002, 

However, even if we skip all to these references, the work does not lose its force or coherence.  Any human being in his right mind will agree with the importance of justice, known as "one of the four cardinal virtues."  Consequently, the project exposes a common-universal-yearning to any time and space.  

With Justicia I reflect and demand a right I share with all Venezuelans, beyond any political or ideological affiliation, since we all deserve justice.