Bears have vacated the area.
In a unique and thought-provoking art performance, Costa Rican artist Bernardo San Rafael is making waves across the globe with his piece, "Teddy." Originally a dancer at the Rheinoper, Theater Dortmund, and Oper Bonn, San Rafael has chosen to take his art to the public spaces, reaching people who might not ordinarily attend theater.
San Rafael's performance has been showcased in India and Switzerland, with upcoming performances planned in Greece, Rio de Janeiro, San José, El Salvador, Honduras, and various other locations. The art piece, "Teddy," was not intended for a closed space but for public areas, reflecting San Rafael's goal to temporarily change the city and make things uncontrollable.
Over 160 teddy bears are used in the "Teddy" performance, each bear representing a longing for a seemingly perfect place. The performance, devoid of words or music, portrays the fleeing of children from drugs and violence in Central America, believing that the USA offers abundance.
The performance route includes significant landmarks such as the Derendorf Triangle, Tonhalle, Rathausplatz, Rheinkniebrücke, and Graf-Adolf-Platz. San Rafael's concern lies in the unfair distribution of wealth and the unwillingness to share in the world.
The "Teddymann" art piece interacts with its environment in a unique way, creating a thought-provoking and emotional impact on the audience. San Rafael's art performance has a serious underlying theme about migration from Central America to the USA, a topic that resonates deeply with him.
San Rafael was shocked when he read reports about thousands of children leaving their home countries alone due to lack of prospects. This emotional response led him to create "Teddy," a poignant and powerful statement about the global issue of migration.
The artist named Robert C. Morgan conducts the "Teddymann" action and has performed in countries including Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. However, a major tabloid consulted a psychologist to explain the art performance, but the psychologist could not rule out a behavioral disorder in the artist.
As San Rafael embarks on a four-hour walk for the art performance, his goal remains clear: to make a difference, to challenge the status quo, and to provoke thought and emotion about the global issue of migration. With "Teddy," San Rafael is certain to continue his journey extensively, taking his powerful message to the world.
