Ana Mendieta Dies in 33-Storey Fall From Carl Andre's Apartment
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 1
Ana Mendieta Dies in 33-Storey Fall From Carl Andre's Apartment
2 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 1
Summary
5.29am on Sept. 8, 1985, Cuban American artist Ana Mendieta fell 33 storeys from husband Carl Andre’s Mercer Street apartment after a quarrel and died at 36.
Andre told 911 they had argued over their relative artistic exposure; the report says Mendieta had also recently learned of his infidelity and was gathering evidence for a divorce.
Witness and physical details deepened suspicion: a doorman heard a woman cry “No, no, no!”, police found a disordered bedroom and scratches on Andre’s face, and friends noted Mendieta’s severe fear of heights.
Andre was charged, then acquitted in a 1988 bench trial after key evidence was excluded and the defense cast Mendieta’s art as proof of suicidal tendencies, a strategy friends called racist and misogynistic.
The case still shapes how her work is received 41 years later, even as family and curators push to center Mendieta’s art ahead of a Tate Modern show and a restored 1974 film.
He was acquitted, but a witness heard her scream 'No.' What really happened in the 33-storey fall of artist Ana Mendieta?
Her art was used in court to argue she was suicidal. Was Ana Mendieta's own work twisted to absolve her accused husband?
Decades after her fatal fall, why does the ghost of Ana Mendieta still haunt the world's most prestigious art galleries?
Justice, Legacy, and Activism: The Ana Mendieta–Carl Andre Controversy and Its Impact on the Art World (1985–2026)
Overview
The passing of Carl Andre in January 2024 reignited debates about his legacy and the unresolved questions surrounding Ana Mendieta’s death. This renewed attention led to projects like the 'Death of an Artist' podcast, which revisited the controversy and highlighted Mendieta’s life and art. Curator Helen Molesworth used the podcast to encourage a fresh look at Mendieta’s work, connecting it to current issues like #MeToo, Indigeneity, and eco-feminism. Throughout, Mendieta remains a symbol of feminist art and justice, with ongoing activism and critical discussion ensuring her story and contributions are not forgotten.