Ropa dope (2019)

Ropa Dope plays off of the boxing term "rope-a-dope"; a word meaning to be trapped against a boxing ring's ropes and dodging ineffective punches thrown by the opposer. artists Karla Arrucha and Steven Montinar "dodge the blows" of oppressive histories, institutionalization, and last resort solutions for Black and Hispanic communities by creating 9 alternative fashionable uses with associated items. These alternatives twist the negative into a positive ownership of obstructive histories. The play on words come from the Spanish word for "clothes" (ropa) and an Ebonics euphanism driven hip hop culture detonating "cool" (dope [informal]). Ropa Dope creates a reclamation of culture, history, and fashion while also showcasing the similarities between the two cultural groups.

Exhibited at Late Space Gallery in Pittsburgh, PA