BIENNALS:SITElines -New Perspectives on Art of the Americas
The primary mission of the SITE Santa Fe Biennial is to give independent curators the freedom to present unique international exhibitions within the context of the museum that incorporate site-specific projects that may otherwise be difficult to execute in larger institutions. In 2014 SITE launched “SITElines: New Perspectives on Art of the Americas”. It is a six-year commitment to a series of linked exhibitions with a focus on contemporary art and cultural production of the Americas.
By Efi Michalarou
Photo: SITE Archive
Featuring over 35 artists from 16 countries within the Americas and 11 new commissioned works “SITElines.2016: much wider than a line”, the 2nd Edition of “SITElines”, is based around three main themes that serve as points ofconnection between the participating artists and the works being presented. These themes include: Vernacular Strategies: the importance of design, architecture and craft, Indigenous Understandings: the influence of performance, ritual, and other Indigenous traditions and Shared Territories: the connectivity and affinities shared in the Americas. A selection of the commissioned works include: “A Study of Race and Class: Bahia >< Santa Fe”, by Jonathas de Andrade, a project inspired by the homonymous 1952 study conducted by Columbia University in which participants were shown photographs of individuals from different racial backgrounds and asked to rate their physical and moral attributes. De Andrade draws from the original study as he works with his subjects to create dialogues around contemporary race relations. Francesca Benitez has developed a new work that engages directly with the public through programming and presentations in collaboration with the Deaf community of Santa Fe. The genesis of the project is a walk, organized by Benitez,between the Centennial Museum at the New Mexico School for the Deaf and SITE Santa Fe. Designed to connect the Deaf community with the contemporary art world, the act of simply walking together creates a viscerally felt connection on all sides. Maria Hupfield’s installation and performance “It is Never Just about Sustenance or Pleasure”, looks at the artist’s own Indigenous cultural references to create a work that questions our adaptability in the face of rapid environmental change. Santa Fe-based architect and writer Conrad Skinner’s contribution to the exhibition includes an installation that pays homage to the architecture, history, and impact of the Paolo Soleri Amphitheater and the Indian Theater movement at the Institute of American Indian Arts. Featured in this installation is a selection of Soleri’s drawings for his theater design, images of the constructions techniques used to build the theater, and many. A special feature of this installation is a model of the Amphitheater sculpted in wood and clay by Eliza Naranjo Morse. Participating Artist: Jonathas de Andrade, Xenobia Bailey, Lina Bo Bardi, Francisca Benitez, Anna Boghiguian, Margarita Cabrera, Raven Chacon, Benvenuto Chavajay, Mariana Castillo Deball, William Cordova, Lewis de Soto, Aaron Dysart, Carla Fernández, Miguel Gandert, Jeffrey Gibson, Jorge González, Pablo Helguera, Maria Hupfield, Graciela Iturbide, Sonya Kelliher-Combs, Zacharias Kunuk, Cildo Meireles, Marta Minujiin, Paulo Nazareth, Margaret Randall, Rometti & Costales, Conrad Skinner with Eliza Naranjo Morse, Javier Téllez, Juana Valdes and Erika Verzutti.
Info: Curatorial Team: Rocío Aranda-Alvarado, Kathleen Ash-Milby, Pip Day, Pablo Léon de la Barra and Kiki Mazzuchelli, SITE Santa Fe, 1606 Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe, Duration: 16/7/16-8/1/17, Days & Hours: Tue-Sat 10:00-17:00, https://sitesantafe.org
