SDPL Art Gallery presents the Occupy Thirdspace II Artist Roundtable

TL;DR

Artists navigate the impact of NAFTA and border militarization through creative responses.

Transcript

yeah in 2014 i i curated a show in east village at space for art an independent artist run space that also um is a artist in residence space where many artists were living and practicing at the time and obviously a very different space from the downtown san diego's art gallery up on the ninth floor here but in a lot of ways similar as well um in th... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑‍🎨 NAFTA and border militarization have significantly impacted artists' narratives and practices.
• 💦 Migration experiences and collective memory shape the content of artistic work in border regions.
• 🥰 The neoliberal economic context of NAFTA prompts critical responses in examining commodification and disposability in art.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the border region shape the collective memory reflected in your work?

The constant migration between border regions influenced the collective memory of my work, reflecting on the fluidity of identity and transient experiences.

Q: How has NAFTA impacted the temporality and practices of your art?

NAFTA altered the ease of crossing the border post-9/11, leading to heightened security measures and a tense border environment that influenced artistic practices and border narratives.

Q: In what ways have you responded creatively to the neoliberal economic context of NAFTA?

Artists critiqued the borderization of Mexico and border enforcement policies, exploring themes of commodification, disposability, and violence through their work.

Q: How does site-specificity and border region dynamics influence your artistic methodologies?

Artists draw from their experiences in the border region to develop artistic strategies that examine border issues, surveillance, policing, and immigration enforcement tactics applicable to broader contexts.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Artists discuss the impact of NAFTA and border militarization on their work.

• Personal experiences with migration and collective memory influence artistic practices.

• Exploration of site-specificity and anticipatory responses to border issues.