Curated by Marcos Dimas and Humberto Cintron

 

PHOTOGRAPHY by MÁXIMO RAFAEL COLÓN

 

Realidades produced and broadcast by WNET-Channel 13. The program combine news, entertainment and education in a magazine format that highlighted the Puerto Ricans, Chicanos and other Latinos and their contributions to the fabric of America’s cultural diversity. 

Realidades was the first national Latino television series in the history of public television in the United States of America. The groundbreaking television series highlighted a cross section of events, activities, organizations, and individuals all of which were significantly illustrating and defining our ”realities” during the 1960s and 1970s. Taller Boricua (the Puerto Rican Workshop) and its membership of artists were among the community activists that lent their energy and effort to create, sustain and develop a Latino presence in the fabric of public television in America.

The exhibition ” Realidades Remembered ” features a selection of episodes from the series. The exhibit also includes materials related to the media’s portrayal of Puerto Ricans in the U.S. 

Also included will be photographs, posters, and art from the archives of the Taller Boricua, from Marcos Dimas and Humberto Cintron and will feature a suite of photographs by Maximo Rafael Colon.

This series of television presentations originally broadcast on WNET Channel 13 from 1971 to 1977, was the result of protest and demonstrations at the offices and studios by the Puerto Rican community. This exhibition presents several of the essential episodes from the series.

This exhibition presents several of the essential episodes from the series, including the following:

 

 

 

Film screenings to be shown on request

 

 

El Baquine de Anjelitos Negros ( a Salsa Ballet)
Music, Drama, Dance, and Cultural Folklore: A black child dies. His soul goes to heaven and is transformed into an angel.

Puerto Rican Obituary
By Pedro Pietri / Director Pablo Cabrera creates a stark visual dramatization of the legendary poem.

Miguel Pinero
Mini biography of the Nuyorican poet who turned Times Square into a classroom for New York City youth.

Sonata

A classical ”Danza ” interpreted and directed by Jack Delano.

Julia de Burgos
A biopic on one of Puerto Rico’s finest poets. Born in the island of enchantment, she was found dead on 105th street and 5th avenue in El Barrio in 1954.

Puerto Rican Nationalists in the 1950s.
A U.S. government agents attack Puerto Rican nationalists in Jayuya, Puerto Rico; The nationalists respond attacking the U.S. president in Blair House. Washington D.C.

Commonwealth or Colony?
Seeking a definition for the political relationship between Puerto Rico and the U.S.

Towards a Collective Expression
Puerto Rican artists living in New York City express their art as a vehicle for social change.

Mestizaje
Exploring the ethnic diversity within the Latino community of the nation, this dramatization of the question of identity.

 

located in the Julia De Burgos Latino Cultural Center 1680 Lexington Ave. New York City 10029

 

TUESDAYS – WEDNESDAYS 12 – 6PM THURSDAYS 1-7PM FRIDAY – SATURDAYS 12-6PM Tel. (212) 828-4333 Contact: williecorrea@tallerboricua.org

This exhibit is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. It is also supported in part by public funds from New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council, Consejo Grafico and the Puerto Rican Workshop Inc.