Taking public transit is traumatizing enough without having to watch a man dismembered on the tracks. But in Puerto Rican artist Teo Freytes's comic book Estampa Niuyorquina (Image of New York), a blue-collar laborer finishes work for the day, only to have his subway ride interrupted by a suicidal jumper. "All of a sudden, he hears a thump and screaming," Freytes explains. "He looks around, and he sees the place scattered with sausages and ketchup. Then he notices something on the floor that looks like a pumpkin, but he realizes it's a man's head." The artist continues, "He gets a taxi, thinking about how New York has this horrible smell of work, blood, and guts. And he leaves crying."
See the jump for excerpts from the Estampa Niuyorquina, a link to an online ebook, and exhibition details.
As part of the split show "A Fragmented Anomaly," Freytes has reprinted pages from his book and produced a $200 limited-edition version, packaged with three signed miniposters. You can also check out Estampa Niuyorquina online.
"A Fragmented Anomaly." Edge Zones, 180 NE 39th St., Miami. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Call 305-303-8852 or visit edgezones.org.
