Nicolás Dumit Estévez, Orange Alert, 2004

Nicolás Dumit Estévez, Nicolás Dumit Estévez, Orange Alert, 2004

Nicolás Dumit Estévez, Orange Alert, 2004

A 15 minutes deactivation procedure developed by the Department of Fruitland Security

How to deactivate a Fruta Bomba, Papaya or Lechosa

Tools and materials: A cardboard box / A large sharp knife / A 6’ long folding table / A plastic tablecloth with felt backing / Two plastic bags / A pack of disposal plates / A pack of white plastic forks / A pack of napkins (any brand) / A smock / A pair of powder-free latex gloves / A roll of Bounty paper towels / A roll of “DO NOT CROSS” tape / A timer / A PA system / A red permanent marker

Procedure developed by the Department of Fruitland Security:

1. Purchase or otherwise obtain five medium/large frutas bombas or papayas

2. Make sure each fruta bomba is wrapped individually in soft paper. This minimizes contact and possible damage to the delicate surface of the fruit. Dark green or brown splotches tend to appear where the surface of this item has experienced pressure, heat or cold. Do not worry too much about small spots of mold. White clusters of cotton-like growth are actually an indicator that the fruta bomba is reaching its ripe stage.

3. When the fruta bomba is uniformly orange and soft to the touch, transport it in a cardboard box or padded container. Set this on the floor. Be as gentle as possible. Keep one hand under the container and one hand wrapped around. When ready to set the cargo on the floor slide the hand that is under the container towards you and keep the hand that is wrapped around it in place until the container is no longer in motion.

4. Unfold the 6' long table. Make sure that legs are properly locked into place. This avoids possible accidents during the deactivation procedure. Cover the table with the white tablecloth.

5. Connect the timer to the PA system. Set the alarm to twenty-five minutes.

6. Unroll the “DO NOT CROSS” tape. Separate the work area from the public access area by three feet in each direction.

7. Don a pair of latex gloves to avoid contact with the skin.

8. Unwrap the frutas bombas and place them on the surface of the table. Save the wrapping paper in a clear plastic bag. Using the red permanent marker, label it with its use and contents. i.e. paper used for wrapping papaya. Include the date, time and your signature.

9. Proceed to deactivate the frutas bombas individually, completing the full deactivation procedure on one before moving to next one. This is important in case you do not have enough time to work on all of them. In the event that you are short of time, place all the remaining fruits in a clear plastic bag and run out of the building before the timer goes off.

The deactivation procedure is as it follows:

Hold the fruta bomba in the middle with one hand. Use the free hand to maneuver the knife. Peel off all of the skin. Cut the fruit in half horizontally and remove its seeds. Save these in a lidded plastic container. These seeds are beneficial in ridding the human body of harmful parasites. Slice the pulp in pieces of approximately 2" x 2." Serve on individual plates. Provide each plate with a fork and a paper napkin.

10. Turn the timer off.

11. Disconnect the PA system.

12. Clean the work surface.

13. Remove the “DO NOT CROSS” tape.

13. Invite everyone present to the table.

14. Leave the room. Carry all of the debris from the process with you.

Presented as part of Rehearsed, a solo exhibition of Nicolás Dumit Estévez’s work curated by Edwin Ramoran at Longwood Art Gallery/Bronx Council on the Arts