Pulse Orlando Memorial by Rolando Chang Barrero

ActivistArtistA project …for the birds?

ActivistArtistA has been Rolando Chang Barrero street moniker since the AIDS epidemic. The activist artist that created thousands of crying “pajaros” (birds in Spanish) as iconic epitaphs for those who died for the disease in the 80’s and 90’s. The “Pajaro” icon has been his signature for over 30 years, for the last 10 years the dripping red teardrop had faded away as the bird symbol took on various incarnations. This week, however the “pajaros” are crying again in the 1 year memorial anniversary of the Orlando Pulse shooting.

“Pajero” is a Spanish language derogatory for “gay”- akin to the English language “Fairy.”

“I don’t want the memory of all the innocent men and women who died to forgotten or overshadowed during the Equality Marches throughout the country this Sunday which is the anniversary eve of the shootings, so I’m doing my part to keep it alive.”

The work which is being painted on front windows of The Box Gallery located at 811 Belvedere Road in West Palm Beach has already cause much attention on the busy commuter street just off the I95 exit. The project will be completed this Sunday and remain for one or two weeks. A total of 108 birds will be displayed: 49 crying birds, 58 sans tears for the wounded, a single black bird located at the far left window stands alone as  reminder that systemic hate still exist and that unfortunately stills kills, yet we must not let hate win.

The community is invited to add the names of the victims to the commemorative piece on Sunday at 5 PM.