As a self-imposed thesis to her degree, Lucía independently researched, organized, funded, and curated a multicultural undergraduate group exhibition in June of 2016. The project stirred from a deep concern over the political climate at the time. This page contains her call to artists, the piece she made exclusively for the show, and the work featured at the exhibition.
You may also visit the exhibition's website: nepantlaexhibit.wordpress.com
Facebook: facebook.com/nepantlaexhibit
NEPANTLA: a space in between
A call to artists
The scope of the exhibition addresses the globally widespread concerns about immigration, identity, displacement, and segregation that converge upon our contemporary moment. It seeks to assess the boundaries- or borders- of political, social, and cultural dichotomies that affect our everyday lives. The use of social media is our generation’s primary platform for social engagement- our own version of modern activism. It is at once a vehicle for globalization, and an enabler of detached communication. The goal of this exhibition is to provide a platform where social engagement can exist, encouraging a critical discourse within art students of diverse nationalities, ethnicities, ages, and vocations.
Nepantla is a Nahuatl term— the ancient language of Aztec origin still used today by several native populations of Mexico. It indicates a concept of being “in the middle of” (different cultures, as traditionally meant by colonized Aztecs). In the arts, nepantla encompasses historical and spiritual aspects of life when being caught between literal or metaphorical crossroads. Historically, it has also been identified with painful experiences, relating to a personal state of invisibility and displacement. Understanding nepantla as a space of “in-between-ness”- where opposing ideas are viewed at the same time- we must question where boundaries within ourselves can be found, and how our personal borders interact with our surrounding environments.
As potential global leaders, we must find and promote an understanding of the diaspora of people, cultures, and ideas that is being felt worldwide. With nepantla in mind, this show seeks to bring collaborative efforts together to showcase how today’s art students are working in the midst of a disrupted socio-political sphere. If we dissect who we are now, where we come from, and where we are going, we can begin to expunge societal boundaries and emerge as a unified, human community.
THE PIECE
This work represents Lucía's own contribution to the exhibition. Accompanying images include a side view and several detail shots.
This piece now forms part of the SCAD Permanent Collection.
the exhibition
This section includes the documentation of the exhibition, including shots from the opening night and the mounted work, as well as the individual pieces themselves.
To view each exhibited artist's background, social media, and statement of intent regarding their work please click here.
