The University Art Gallery at New Mexico State University opens its doors for its fall exhibition opening, “Between Here and There,” at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3.
In this two-person exhibition, nationally renowned artists Paul Turounet and Terri Warpinski confront the complexities surrounding borders as junctions that designate the present and future for many migrants in transition, as well as the effects of these built boundaries on existing communities in border regions.
“With our close geographic proximity to the U.S./Mexico border, understanding immigration issues is essential to gaining a broader understanding of our area and our neighbors,” said Marisa Sage, director of the gallery, which is part of the College of Arts and Sciences. “This exhibition poses the question: Are the arts capable of answering important questions related to the border, sparking critical thinking and problem solving for border issues, and igniting critical conversation in this area?”
In his “Estamos Buscando A” installation, Paul Turounet creates a border wall, constructed in the gallery space from actual pieces of the border salvaged at Border State Park between San Diego, Calif., and Tijuana, Mexico.
The wall is comprised of commemorative aluminum portraits of migrants who have attempted the journey of leaving Mexico to enter the United States. Turounet’s aluminum depictions are modeled after retablos, which are paintings on tin. For inclusion in this exhibition, the artist will curate a selection of three retablos from the UAG’s world-renowned collection.
Oregon-based artist Terri Warpinski explores the border not only at the threshold of the United States and Mexico, but also the border in occupied Palestinian territories. The artist’s work investigates the abuse of power and consequences when national desires for security dominate social and geopolitical concerns.
“Between Here and There” will run through Oct. 3. There will be a number of events happening in conjunction with this exhibition, all of which are free and open to the public.
12-2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, the UAG will host a workshop with Paul Turounet, “Making Photographic Ex-Votos.” Terri Warpinski will host an artist lecture from 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, at the UAG.
At 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, the UAG will host a discussion panel, “Borderlands as Negotiated through the Arts.” For this event, a scholarly panel will consider the topic of visual and performance arts as creative catalysts that spark critical conversations among audiences about the complex global issues of border governance.
The UAG received a grant from the Southwest and Border Cultures Institute of NMSU to assist with the production of this show. The mission of the SBCI is to fund on- and off-campus public programs that relate to the issues in southwestern culture around the state of New Mexico.
The University Art Gallery at NMSU is located in D.W. Williams Hall, at the intersection of University and Solano Avenues. The UAG is open 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Designated gallery parking is available, and general parking on the NMSU campus is free on weekends and after 5 p.m. on weekdays.
For more information, or to arrange a group visit, visit the gallery website at uag.nmsu.edu, or contact the UAG administrator Jasmine Woodul directly at 575-646-2545 orartglry@nmsu.edu.
Information from NMSU