Something to do with crossing…
2014 -
Photographic installation + exchange system
In the 1980s the Arteaga Family lived a block away from the border fence in Calexico, CA. Their proximity to the fence separating their neighborhood from Mexicali, B.C., imbricated them in a system of informal exchange: blouses, shoes, bedding and a slew of other items left unattended on the family clothesline were taken by migrants who had just crossed the border illegally. In their place, migrants would leave soiled t-shirts, boots, or other items.
This informal object exchange system is replicated in the gallery as visitors are encouraged to take a photograph depicting an item of clothing that is hung from the clothesline, and in its place leave behind an actual article of clothing. The clothes collected at the end of the show are photographed to recreate the installation at a later date, and donated subsequently to the Hotel del Migrante, a migrant shelter in Mexicali, B.C and the Casa Madre Asunta, a migrant shelter in Tijuana, B.C.
The original installation was accompanied by testimonies of migrants who had crossed the border “illegally”, juxtaposed with the accounts of the Arteaga Family.