Arroz con Popote

The Arroz con Popote series utilizes rice and straws as a queer medium, an innovation introduced into the art world by Vicente. In Mexican slang, the phrase "arroz con popote" is associated with male homosexuality, referring to the act of eating rice pudding through a straw, with or without offense: Andy Warhol likes arroz con popote.

The series pays homage to Vicente's Mexican roots, while addressing contemporary themes through a queer-cultural lens, in the form of installation, performance, and digital art. The work aims to promote understanding and acceptance, contributing to the development of a more inclusive society.

Arroz con Popote was inspired by the work of Cuban artist Félix González-Torres, and began in Vicente's apartment kitchen in West Philadelphia. The first three works consisted of dyed rice arranged in the colors of a watermelon wedge, the pride flag, and the US flag in mason jars with a straw. These turned to photographs, with EEUU (2018) exhibited at the National Liberty Museum. He quickly pushed the medium further, working with installation and performance art, gaining recognition for his installation, Logros (2019), which appeared on Visit Philadelphia during the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. His first performance piece, EEUU (2019), was shown internationally, earning him the Best Dance Film award from the 1st Annual Bump’n’Grind Film and Performance Fest in Toronto, Canada.

This body of work propelled him to New York City as a Social Justice and Activism Artist-in-Residence at the World Trade Center. It was during this time that he taught himself how to use 3D programming software, like Blender, to produce digital works, giving rise to the Beating Hearts collection. Beating Hearts are part of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) collection. They have been shown at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts in Omaha, at Philadelphia's City Hall, and at NFT.NYC 2024.