Energias Cosmicas
Energias Cosmicas, 2017. Mixed media, acrylic on panel, casted aluminum, audio, dimensions variable.
For this piece I have casted a sculpture out of aluminum. Some of the aluminum material being used for the cast is from beer cans that were consumed by myself, family, and friends while engaging in conversations. This is an important element of my project as I feel that the interactions and conversations are carried conceptually through the material used in the piece. I recorded some of the conversations and, after listening to them, was inspired to sculpt what I would be casting. In this case, it was an anatomical heart. One of the conversations I listened to a few times was my mom’s story in which she was re-telling us about her upbringing within poverty in rural Mexico and her long journey to the United States. Thinking about the sacrifices she and women specifically in my family continue to take inspired the imagery for the mural component of my piece. The nopales (cacti) depicted relate to survival in a harsh environment and have also been the food and medicine of many indigenous peoples including my family. The mobility of this double-sided wall, which is able to roll on wheels, represents the migration and sacrifices that people have taken on to create opportunities for survival. These investigations and the ongoing longing to connect and know more about my ancestral cultural practices inspired the overall piece.