He Ka‘ili Pu‘e o Puna (The Forced Rape of Puna)

He Ka‘ili Pu‘e o Puna (The Forced Rape of Puna)

1982

Commercial reproduction of a Varez linocut print with 3 connecting scenes. Left panel: workers drill into the earth amid dying taro plants, while heavy machinery operated by "Puna Geo. Co." [a geothermal energy power plant] fills the air with smoke; lava and fire underground. Center panel: Aloha Tower and city traffic, while machinery operated by "Oahu Elec. Co." fills the air with smoke; missiles, barrels, and bombs marked with the letters A, H, or N are stored underground. Right panel: five influential figures sit together beneath a large umbrella, one with a briefcase of money, while a CIA microphone records from beneath the table. The White House, Washington Monument, and a tree with a snake (temptation and deceit) are in the background. A vault and money-printing machine are hidden underground. Black on goldenrod paper, with the title and artist's name printed below the image. Signed and dated "D Varez 1982" in pencil.

11 1/2" x 25" (image)

2020.014.2

Dietrich Varez Collection

© Dietrich Varez Estate