This past weekend, in the middle of the year’s biggest game, we were entranced by the half time show by Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, known professionally as Bad Bunny. Fresh off his historic Grammy win the weekend prior, the artist brought together his Puerto Rican heritage, impeccable storytelling, and dynamic visuals to create a stunning performance we will not soon forget. Infusing every second of the show with Puerto Rican culture and messages of unity and love triumphing over hate, the performance inspired us through recognizing the complex network of identities and backgrounds that make up our country. Closing out the set with the title track of his most recent album Debí Tirar Más Fotos, Bad Bunny recited the names of the many countries that make up the Americas urging us to reconsider the borders that divide us and to see them instead as threads connecting us to a larger, shared whole.

video credits: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2U96VNSDMJw

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2U96VNSDMJw

For decades New York based artist Glenn Ligon has explored issues of race, sexuality, and identity in his art through a historical lens, drawing on literature and sources from the past. Using text in his work, he plays with language to make us think about shifting meanings in different contexts. Now, Ligon has once again drawn attention to what America means as our nation struggles to maintain unity.

“Untitled (America/Me),” is a new 25 x 75 foot billboard viewable from the High Line at 10th Avenue and 18th Street. The installation revisits Ligon’s iconic 2008 neon sculpture, “Untitled,” which featured the word AMERICA in bold neon caps that flickered on and off. Ligon has modified his original piece by crossing out most letters in AMERICA, leaving behind only the word “ME.” As the artist explains, “The word ‘America’ is eclipsed, and the blackening of the letters adds a layer of ambiguity… It’s timely as we reflect on our purpose as a nation and as individuals.” Timely indeed as we ponder the election this coming November 5th and what America means to each of us.