Tanya Aguiñiga is a Mexican artist based in Los Angeles who makes artwork about crossing the US-Mexican border – probably the most controversial border in recent times. The art is now on view at the Museum of Art and Design in New York in Craft & Care, a solo show that runs through October 2. This exhibition features leftover bathing suits, a large umbrella-shaped sculpture made of synthetic blonde hair and photos.
It also features a postcard project, which asked: “What are your thoughts when you cross this border?” The responses ranged from anger to fear, boredom to thankfulness. Over 6,000 postcards have been collected and 96 are on view in the exhibition.
Aguiñiga also features a staircase in the exhibition which lists questions authorities ask border-crossers at the entry point to the U.S., which range from “Has anyone in your family been convicted of a crime?” to “Do you fear for your life going back to your home country?”
Aguiñiga also features a staircase in the exhibition which lists questions authorities ask border-crossers at the entry point to the U.S., which range from “Has anyone in your family been convicted of a crime?” to “Do you fear for your life going back to your home country?”
“It’s not just the reductive rhetoric we’ve seen on TV, it’s about connecting to personal stories, thinking about mothers, families and children being separated,” said the curator, Shannon R. Stratton. “That’s the important story we’re trying to tell.”
Text by Nadja Sayej
Photos via madmuseum
Photos via madmuseum
