yes, i would like to participate in art

Eduardo Sarabia, Salon Aleman [detail], installed as part of the 2008 Whitney Biennial
in the Field and Staff Room at the 7th Regiment Armory.
The blue neon reads 'Tequila Sarabia'

Eduardo Sarabia, Salon Aleman [detail]
The red neon reads 'Salon Aleman'

Sure, it looks empty and peaceful now, but what will Salon Aleman by Eduardo Sarabia be like at 10pm tonight? The artist has constructed a working bar open only on March 9, 11, 14 and 19 from 10pm to 1am where "he will serve homemade tequila and other beverages as he celebrates collaborative dialogue and community." I thought, what better way to celebrate my birthday today than to participate in art? But perhaps my plans are being foiled? Why is the 19th no longer listed? Perhaps Sarabia had his fill of dialogue and community on the 14th. I must get to the bottom of this.


About the artist:

Sarabia invents scenarios that he participates in and creates documentation for, commemorating the event’s unfolding. Handcrafted ceramic objects, drawings, paintings, photographs, and sculptures transform the exhibition space into a site for storytelling where viewers must suspend disbelief to enter the artist’s fantastic, romanticized realm. These theatrical situations revolve around Sarabia’s Latino heritage, which he both honors and mocks through his investigation of Mexican cultural clichés about drug smuggling, banditry, and the import/export of tawdry contraband. ~Whitney Biennial notes

***
Update, 5:47 pm
Sadly there will be no Salon Aleman this evening. Representatives from both the Whitney and the Armory called me back to let me know that due to the unprecedented attendance on the 14th, the supply of Sarabia's homemade tequila was basically depleted. Ah well.