Edra Soto, a Puerto Rican artist based in Chicago, has created a series of plastic lawn chairs upholstered with the face of reggaetón superstar Bad Bunny, now on view in the exhibition "Dancing the Revolution: From Dancehall to Reggaetón" at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. The chairs, part of Soto's broader practice transforming everyday Puerto Rican objects into art, also appear at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City and were shown at EXPO Chicago. The exhibition explores the visual history and political power of Caribbean music, highlighting Bad Bunny's role in the 2019 protests that led to the resignation of Governor Ricardo Rosselló.
Soto's work matters because it elevates humble, culturally specific objects—like plastic chairs and box fans—into fine art, bridging personal memory, Puerto Rican identity, and contemporary pop culture. By incorporating Bad Bunny, a global icon who has become a symbol of Puerto Rican resistance and pride, Soto connects her intimate, home-rooted practice to larger conversations about diaspora, spirituality, and political activism. The chairs also demonstrate how contemporary artists are increasingly engaging with music and celebrity to comment on social issues, making art more accessible and resonant with broader audiences.