IV. SURRENDER

Image description: A series of 5 predominately text filled images with black backgrounds and white Arial letters.  The letters and images all together make 3 poems with 3 inserted photos. 
CONTENT WARNING: Parts of this multimedia piece contain themes of substance abuse and suicidal ideation.

On a black background to the right of the page are white, slender Arial letters coming together to create a loose column of short paragraphs, single lines, and rhythms. On the left sits a photo of a 2-D fabric altar. The altar is 3 tall, tan arches on a blue green background. The center arch is fully visible. The other 2 peek out from the edges. They are filled with black and gold patterned fabric pieces that make their own pattern. The arches have white round beading on top of shiny blue green ruffled ribbon edging. A small colorful patterned fabric box sits on a blue green shelf at the bottom of the center arch.

On a black background to the left of the page are white, bold Arial letters coming together to create a loose column of short paragraphs and rhythms. On the right, a night time photo is immersed into the black ground, losing all its edges except the bottom one. Its bottom edge is sharp and filled with textured grass greens and flashlight halo white blues. At the photo’s center, surrounded by a circular glow is a standing abstracted figure caught in motion. A dense crescent shaped light glows from the figure’s head.

On a black background to the right of the page are white, bold Arial letters coming together to create a loose column of short paragraphs, single lines, and rhythms. The text sits intentionally to the right, leaving the left side blank and open.

On a black background to the left of the page are white, bold Arial letters coming together to create a loose column of short paragraphs, single lines, and rhythms. The text sits intentionally to the left, leaving the RIGHT side blank and open.

On a black background to the right of the page are white, bold Arial letters coming together to create a loose column of short paragraphs and rhythms. On the left side of the black ground, sitting close to the poem is a black and white photo of a young light skinned boy with short dark hair. He has a large grin. The boy’s hands are behind their back. They stand in front of a white wall in a lush garden. At the center front of the photo is a large tree-like perch with a long tailed parrot sitting on an upper limb. Its head is turned in a ¾ pose towards the camera.

 
 

About the Author

GABRIEL TORRES

Culture Push Associated Artist

Gabriel Torres is a multidisciplinary artist from Colombia and New York. Gabriel’s work deals in the conversations between community engagement, creative placemaking, civic practice, theater making and film. Gabriel has worked in Hong Kong, NYC and Colombia as an educator, documentarian, theater director and community engagement consultant.

Gabriel is currently working in Haus of Dust, a campaign to bring awareness about substance use in latinx queer communities from his personal experience. Haus of Dust is successfully created as a collaboration between Gabriel, Aaron Salazar (Producer) and Kristen Kelso (Marketing and Development director), additionally a collective of 10+ artists and institutions working to bring forth the project. To learn more, visit iamdust.org