the caf, mercury, and an ode to hartford
I remember walking into The CAF in February, and seeing the impressive yet curious installation. A dissected street lamp sat in the corner of the multi-brand boutique, with fabric “cables” weaving through the store, connected to block letters placed in various parts of the room. It was all a bit surreal, to see a genuine, weather-beaten, nails-everywhere lamppost, inside, disconnected from its natural habitat! The intrigue of the out-of-place object engaged the audience, piquing an immediate curiosity regarding its origin, and its journey into this space.
The installation is the creation of Mercury, a multidisciplinary artist rooted in Hartford, Connecticut, with Puerto Rican heritage. His artistic journey has been deeply influenced by his diverse experiences, which have shaped his unique approach to art-making. Over the years, Mercury has been a part of many community based events and creative projects, including his involvement with First Night Hartford and Hartford Bonanza, just to name a few. His work emphasizes inclusivity, drawing inspiration from various cultural and aesthetic viewpoints.
The CAF was no stranger to installations like this. As an intentional boutique carrying a variety of clothing items, accessories, and other wares from innovative, curated brands, it is only natural for the space to be on the forefront of the art scene in the Greater Hartford area. From launch celebrations to listening parties, wine tastings to vinyl sets, the space was more than just a storefront, but rather, an intimate third space where cool people with common interests meet and gather. The showroom goes beyond traditional retail, rather, it invites its visitors to participate in the appreciation of purpose driven items, intentionally designed pieces, and art. As opposed to an austere, carefully protected painting, pieces of clothing are often hung on the pegs extending from the lamp post. The interactive nature of the installation works in perfect harmony with the creative playfulness of the space, dispelling the stuffiness traditionally associated with conceptual art, as well as some of the exclusivity associated with the clothing sold in the store.
I’m sure at this point, y’all are wondering, just what is the story behind the installation? And where the hell did the lamp post come from? Those were the very same questions I asked Mercury in a phone interview, and boy am I glad I did.
The story starts with big hunks of metal. The original idea for the installation was to make The CAF into what could resemble a laundromat, with machines that open, revealing merchandise and clothing inside. But when the materials for the pieces were delivered, the management company of the property had it hauled away as scrap within the hour, unbeknownst to the artist or The CAF. With this loss came inspiration. As the deadline shifted and drew closer, Mercury played with some ideas in his head. He thought, wouldn’t it be funny if an object was completely removed from its environment, completely out of context? He imagined the ridiculousness of fitting a massive street lamp post inside of the store, and decided to pursue that vision. As he told me, “We don’t always realize the size and scale of the things around us … the highway signs, the lamp posts … I wanted to put things into perspective”.
With this idea in mind, Mercury got to work. Through various ways and methods I’ll refer to as “somehow” (redacted for legal purposes), which may or may not have involved powertools and a van at 2AM, the artist, by himself, procured the necessary materials. While the process was not documented, one can imagine the planning that went into it, the video would have certainly been an entertaining piece of art in its own right.
In the final piece, a hospital wrist tag can be seen stapled to the pole. During the construction and installation of the piece, Mercury pulled multiple all nighters. As he worked to finish up the piece, the artist felt ill, with heavy congestion and what he had described as heart palpitations. A visit to the hospital was needed, and with a heavy dose of medical grade Sudafed and some bedrest, Mercury pulled through. Immediately following his discharge, he visited The CAF, and put the finishing touch of ripping off the hospital tag, and stapling it into the installation, labeling it as complete. This experience gave him perspective, and further clarity on exactly what he wanted to do with his life. “Creating art is what I live and die for, and even if this wasn’t my profession, and I don’t get paid for what I do, I would continue to create and share my art and experiences with people”.
The lamp post metaphorically illuminates the shop, just as art illuminates ideas. The “wires” symbolizes the connections between things and people, and gives the idea of communication and exchange. The block letters, a word puzzle, spells out the title of one of Mercury’s favorite books - On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, by Hartford native, Ocean Vuong, which the artist believes to be “...easily the best work of art to come out of Hartford”. These individual components together creates an absurd yet perfectly harmonious piece of work, a wonderfully cohesive assemblage of unexpected objects, likely reflective of Mercury’s upbringing and life experiences.
Having spent part of his life in various other places, upon his return to Hartford, Mercury shares that he has experienced a profound sense of support from the community. His first collaboration with First Night Hartford, "Ancestor In Progress," reflects this bond. The 5-foot pedestal, reminiscent of the empty Christopher Columbus pedestal in front of the State Capitol building, serves as a symbol of possibility and community responsibility. “Through this piece, I empower my community to fill historical vacuums with new, inclusive narratives. Our successful past working relationship has demonstrated the power of collaboration in creating works that resonate deeply with the community, fostering a sense of shared ownership and pride”, states Mercury.
example of an ofrenda, not one referred to in story
Mercury’s life experiences, unique background, creativity, and understanding of Hartford's cultural landscape continues to bring him new opportunities to showcase his brilliance. Most recently, Mercury collaborated with Hartford-area artist Carlos Hernández Chávez on an ofrenda, a traditional Mexican memorial altar to celebrate Día de Muertos, the Day of the Dead. The ofrenda, which incorporates personal photographs and other remembrances of the departed, is presented with the Entre Mundos: Art of Abiayala exhibition. The piece is now on view.
As many of you know, The CAF’s physical showroom on Trumbull Street has shuttered its doors. However, the space and its ideals live on in the virtual space, as the brand continues to offer unique products and clothing in its online store.
