Pure Plantainum

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

This plantain sculpture is a casing of a plantain made with urethane (or polyurethane) resin which is then casted in platinum for durability, differing from other sculptures in Miguel Luciano's series Pure Plantainum that encase real plantains. With its metallic tint of silver, the sculpture has preserved the curves and details of the fruit. The thick, silver curb chain necklace was added to create an interactive art piece, as seen in the image Platáno Pride (NMAAHC 2021.70.2). Serving as a jewelry piece, it is reflective of hip-hop fashion, hip-hop culture as Latinx-inclusive, and a visible, conspicuous way to hold pride of Caribbean Latinx identity. Plátano, or plantain, is a fruit commonly consumed in the Caribbean but has historically also been tied to derogatory terms regarding immigration, race, and class. Caribbean Latinx communities have since reclaimed the word. A plantain sculpture cast in platinum and presented as a pendant on a sterling silver curb chain.

Catalog date

2006

Recorded places

Caribbean, Latin America; Brooklyn, New York City, Kings County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Recorded subjects

African American; African diaspora; Art; Foodways; Hip-hop (Music); Identity; Immigration; Migrations

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