Jessica Kairé
Art Basel 2024
Folding Monuments (Bitter Fruit) 2024
Installation view
Art Basel, BaselFolding Monuments (Bitter Fruit) 2024
Installation view
Art Basel, BaselFolding Monuments (Bitter Fruit) 2024
Installation view
Art Basel, BaselFolding Monuments (Bitter Fruit) 2024
Installation view
Art Basel, BaselFolding Monuments (Bitter Fruit) 2024
Installation view
Art Basel, BaselFolding Monuments (Bitter Fruit) 2024
Installation view
Art Basel, BaselFolding Monuments (Bitter Fruit) 2024
Installation view
Art Basel, BaselFolding Monument (Juan Jacobo Árbenz Guzmán Monument,
General Cemetery, Guatemala City) 2021
Cotton canvas, thread, cotton webbing,
plywood board, 2 wooden brackets, photograph
42 1/2 x 42 1/2 x 107 7/8 in.Folding Monument (The Visionary / Jorge Ubico Bust, Post Office
Building, zone 1, Guatemala City) 2024
Cotton canvas, thread, cotton webbing,
plywood board, 2 wooden brackets, photograph
54 x 26 x 26 in.Folding Monument (The Visionary / Jorge Ubico Bust, Post Office
Building, zone 1, Guatemala City) 2024
Cotton canvas, thread, cotton webbing,
plywood board, 2 wooden brackets, photograph
54 x 26 x 26 in.Folding Monument (Triptych to the Revolution Monument,
zone 12, Guatemala City) 2024
Cotton canvas, thread, cotton webbing,
plywood board, 2 wooden brackets, photograph
62 x 53 x 38 in.Folding Monument (Triptych to the Revolution Monument, zone 12, Guatemala City) 2024
Cotton canvas, thread, cotton webbing,
plywood board, 2 wooden brackets, photograph
62 x 53 x 38 in.Folding Monument (John Foster Dulles Bust, Washington Dulles
International Airport, Virginia) 2024
Cotton canvas, thread, cotton webbing,
plywood board, 2 wooden brackets, photograph
62 x 16 x 16 in.Folding Monument (John Foster Dulles Bust, Washington Dulles
International Airport, Virginia) Cutout (James Monroe Bust, Hall of Fame for Great Americans, Bronx Community College, Bronx, New York City) 2024
Toned gray and white acid free paper, framed
13 3/16 x 10 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Equestrian Statue of Theodore Roosevelt, American Museum
of Natural History, New York City / Relocated to North Dakota) 2024
Toned gray and white acid free paper, framed
10 3/16 x 13 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Temple of Minerva, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala) 2024
Toned tan and white acid free paper, framed
10 3/16 x 13 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Entrance façade, United Fruit Company Building,
New Orleans, Louisiana) 2024
Toned gray and white acid free paper, framed
13 3/16 x 10 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Army Monument to the Merchants or Star Monument, zone 10,
Guatemala City) 2024
Toned tan and white acid free paper, framed
13 3/16 x 10 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Kings Mountain Hoover Monument, South Carolina, USA) 2024
Toned gray and white acid free paper, framed
13 3/16 x 10 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Jorge Ubico / The Visionary Bust,
Post Office Building, zone 1, Guatemala City) 2024
Toned gray and white acid free paper, framed
13 3/16 x 10 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Monument to the Polytechnic School, zone 1,
Guatemala City) 2024
Toned gray and white acid free paper, framed
13 3/16 x 10 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Triptych to the Revolution Monument,
zone 12, Guatemala City) 2024
Toned blue and white acid free paper, framed
10 3/16 x 13 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Monument to the Guard of Honor,
Three Forces Square, zone 10, Guatemala City) 2024
Toned blue and white acid free paper, framed
10 3/16 x 13 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Monument to the 1944 Revolution,
Calzada San Juan, Guatemala City) 2024
Toned blue and white acid free paper, framed
13 3/16 x 10 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Monument to Francisco Javier Arana Castro, General
Cemetery, zone 3, Guatemala City) 2024
Toned blue and white acid free paper, framed
10 3/16 x 13 3/16 inCutout (Monument to Juan José Arévalo, Faculty of Humanities,
San Carlos University, zone 12, Guatemala City) 2024
Toned blue and white acid free paper, framed
13 3/16 x 10 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Juan Jacobo Árbenz Guzmán Monument,
General Cemetery, Guatemala City) 2024
Toned blue and white acid free paper, framed
13 3/16 x 10 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Harry S. Truman Statue, U. S. Capitol,
Washington, D.C.) 2024
Toned gray and white acid free paper, framed
13 3/16 x 10 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (John Foster Dulles Bust, Washington Dulles International
Airport, Virginia) 2024
Toned gray and white acid free paper, framed
13 3/16 x 10 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Kryptos sculpture, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Headquarters, Langley, Virginia) 2024
Toned gray and white acid free paper, framed
25.9 x 33.5 x cm
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Dwight D. Eisenhower Veterans Monument,
Denison, Texas) 2024
Toned tan and white acid free paper, framed
10 3/16 x 13 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Monument to Carlos Castillo Armas, Central Park at La Democracia, Escuintla, Guatemala) 2024
Toned gray and white acid free paper, framed
33.5 x 25.9 cm
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Monument to Juan José Arévalo, Guatemalan Institute of Social Security (IGSS), zone 1, Guatemala City) 2024
Toned blue and white acid free paper, framed
25.9 x 33.5 x cm / 10 3/16 x 13 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (John F. Kennedy Memorial, Grand Army Plaza,
Brooklyn, New York) 2024
Toned gray and white acid free paper, framed
33.5 x 25.9 cm
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (FDR Bust, Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park,
Roosevelt Island, New York City) 2024
Toned gray and white acid free paper, framed
33.5 x 25.9 cm
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Walter Bedell Smith Bust, National D-Day Memorial,
Bedford, Virginia) 2024
Toned gray and white acid free paper, framed
13 3/16 x 10 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Richard Nixon Statue, Rapid City, South Dakota) 2024
Toned gray and white acid free paper, framed
13 3/16 x 10 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutouts (Bitter Fruit) 2024
Toned gray, tan, blue and white acid free paper, framed
13 3/16 x 10 3/16 in (each)
Ed. 2/2 + 1 A.P.
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Folding Monuments (Bitter Fruit) 2024
Installation view
Art Basel, BaselFolding Monuments (Bitter Fruit) 2024
Installation view
Art Basel, BaselFolding Monuments (Bitter Fruit) 2024
Installation view
Art Basel, BaselFolding Monuments (Bitter Fruit) 2024
Installation view
Art Basel, Basel
Folding Monuments (Bitter Fruit) 2024
Installation view
Art Basel, BaselFolding Monuments (Bitter Fruit) 2024
Installation view
Art Basel, BaselFolding Monuments (Bitter Fruit) 2024
Installation view
Art Basel, BaselFolding Monument (Juan Jacobo Árbenz Guzmán Monument,
General Cemetery, Guatemala City) 2021
Cotton canvas, thread, cotton webbing,
plywood board, 2 wooden brackets, photograph
42 1/2 x 42 1/2 x 107 7/8 in.
Folding Monument (The Visionary / Jorge Ubico Bust, Post Office
Building, zone 1, Guatemala City) 2024
Cotton canvas, thread, cotton webbing,
plywood board, 2 wooden brackets, photograph
54 x 26 x 26 in.Folding Monument (The Visionary / Jorge Ubico Bust, Post Office
Building, zone 1, Guatemala City) 2024
Cotton canvas, thread, cotton webbing,
plywood board, 2 wooden brackets, photograph
54 x 26 x 26 in.Folding Monument (Triptych to the Revolution Monument,
zone 12, Guatemala City) 2024
Cotton canvas, thread, cotton webbing,
plywood board, 2 wooden brackets, photograph
62 x 53 x 38 in.Folding Monument (Triptych to the Revolution Monument, zone 12, Guatemala City) 2024
Cotton canvas, thread, cotton webbing,
plywood board, 2 wooden brackets, photograph
62 x 53 x 38 in.
Folding Monument (John Foster Dulles Bust, Washington Dulles
International Airport, Virginia) 2024
Cotton canvas, thread, cotton webbing,
plywood board, 2 wooden brackets, photograph
62 x 16 x 16 in.Folding Monument (John Foster Dulles Bust, Washington Dulles
International Airport, Virginia) Cutout (James Monroe Bust, Hall of Fame for Great Americans, Bronx Community College, Bronx, New York City) 2024
Toned gray and white acid free paper, framed
13 3/16 x 10 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Equestrian Statue of Theodore Roosevelt, American Museum
of Natural History, New York City / Relocated to North Dakota) 2024
Toned gray and white acid free paper, framed
10 3/16 x 13 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.
Cutout (Temple of Minerva, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala) 2024
Toned tan and white acid free paper, framed
10 3/16 x 13 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Entrance façade, United Fruit Company Building,
New Orleans, Louisiana) 2024
Toned gray and white acid free paper, framed
13 3/16 x 10 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Army Monument to the Merchants or Star Monument, zone 10,
Guatemala City) 2024
Toned tan and white acid free paper, framed
13 3/16 x 10 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Kings Mountain Hoover Monument, South Carolina, USA) 2024
Toned gray and white acid free paper, framed
13 3/16 x 10 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.
Cutout (Jorge Ubico / The Visionary Bust,
Post Office Building, zone 1, Guatemala City) 2024
Toned gray and white acid free paper, framed
13 3/16 x 10 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Monument to the Polytechnic School, zone 1,
Guatemala City) 2024
Toned gray and white acid free paper, framed
13 3/16 x 10 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Triptych to the Revolution Monument,
zone 12, Guatemala City) 2024
Toned blue and white acid free paper, framed
10 3/16 x 13 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Monument to the Guard of Honor,
Three Forces Square, zone 10, Guatemala City) 2024
Toned blue and white acid free paper, framed
10 3/16 x 13 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.
Cutout (Monument to the 1944 Revolution,
Calzada San Juan, Guatemala City) 2024
Toned blue and white acid free paper, framed
13 3/16 x 10 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Monument to Francisco Javier Arana Castro, General
Cemetery, zone 3, Guatemala City) 2024
Toned blue and white acid free paper, framed
10 3/16 x 13 3/16 inCutout (Monument to Juan José Arévalo, Faculty of Humanities,
San Carlos University, zone 12, Guatemala City) 2024
Toned blue and white acid free paper, framed
13 3/16 x 10 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Juan Jacobo Árbenz Guzmán Monument,
General Cemetery, Guatemala City) 2024
Toned blue and white acid free paper, framed
13 3/16 x 10 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.
Cutout (Harry S. Truman Statue, U. S. Capitol,
Washington, D.C.) 2024
Toned gray and white acid free paper, framed
13 3/16 x 10 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (John Foster Dulles Bust, Washington Dulles International
Airport, Virginia) 2024
Toned gray and white acid free paper, framed
13 3/16 x 10 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Kryptos sculpture, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Headquarters, Langley, Virginia) 2024
Toned gray and white acid free paper, framed
25.9 x 33.5 x cm
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Dwight D. Eisenhower Veterans Monument,
Denison, Texas) 2024
Toned tan and white acid free paper, framed
10 3/16 x 13 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.
Cutout (Monument to Carlos Castillo Armas, Central Park at La Democracia, Escuintla, Guatemala) 2024
Toned gray and white acid free paper, framed
33.5 x 25.9 cm
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Monument to Juan José Arévalo, Guatemalan Institute of Social Security (IGSS), zone 1, Guatemala City) 2024
Toned blue and white acid free paper, framed
25.9 x 33.5 x cm / 10 3/16 x 13 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (John F. Kennedy Memorial, Grand Army Plaza,
Brooklyn, New York) 2024
Toned gray and white acid free paper, framed
33.5 x 25.9 cm
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (FDR Bust, Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park,
Roosevelt Island, New York City) 2024
Toned gray and white acid free paper, framed
33.5 x 25.9 cm
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.
Cutout (Walter Bedell Smith Bust, National D-Day Memorial,
Bedford, Virginia) 2024
Toned gray and white acid free paper, framed
13 3/16 x 10 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutout (Richard Nixon Statue, Rapid City, South Dakota) 2024
Toned gray and white acid free paper, framed
13 3/16 x 10 3/16 in
Ed. 1/2 + 1 A.P.Cutouts (Bitter Fruit) 2024
Toned gray, tan, blue and white acid free paper, framed
13 3/16 x 10 3/16 in (each)
Ed. 2/2 + 1 A.P.
Proyectos Ultravioleta is proud to present the Folding Monuments (Bitter Fruit) of Jessica Kairé (Guatemala City / New York) in the artist’s first solo presentation at Art Basel. Here, a collection of textile monuments, which can be manually lifted and lowered, sit alongside cut paper drawings. Together, the works weave a story of U.S. intervention in Guatemala and, by extension, the world. By tracing the public commemoration of presidents, businessmen, and corporations, Kairé teases out the ways that U.S. power and American business interests have contributed to conflict, corruption, and poverty in her home country. Her elegant material decisions—woven cotton fabric upcycled from used denim or cut paper—in their modest associations and streamlined constructions, also dismantle the historical representations of such power. That is, by taking the bronze sculptures off their marble pedestals and presenting them in soft cloth, or by imagining granite architecture into scissors cutting paper, she makes explicit a radical gesture that centers softness against violence, repair against forgetting, and accessibility against monumentality. The materiality of the work insists upon its democratic nature. Kairé’s Folding Monuments can be simply placed onto a shelf—shelved , as it were—to make space for alternative futures: indeed, they invite you to do exactly that.
Laura Augusta