Binh Danh @ Intersections: Reflections of Home & Migration

MACLA presents: Intersections: Reflections of Home & Migration
November 11 – December 31, 2005
@ MACLA 510 S First St, San José
Opening Reception: Friday, November 11, 2005 6-8pm

MACLA is pleased to present Intersections: Reflections of Home & Migration featuring newly commissioned work by Hector Dio Mendoza, with assistance provided by Binh Danh, Badi Malik, Angelica Muro, Juan Carlos Santos and Theresa Santos.

This exhibition is a glimpse into MACLA’s ongoing community development through the arts in our neighborhood, the William/Reed Corridor. A stark contrast to the downtown core, the William/Reed Corridor is a microcosm of the future with its dynamic mix of university students, young families, halfway house residents, Latino and Vietnamese immigrants, long-time homeowners and small businesses. Using an ethnographic approach to art making, Hector Dio Mendoza has collected the stories, sounds and images of the neighborhood. The new work in this exhibition examines issues of home, migration and cultural citizenship.

Specific artwork includes: Two larger-than-life Kaleidoscopes (12” x 5) hang from the ceiling in the center of the gallery, along with 3 smaller, standing kaleidoscopes. The kaleidoscopes are filled with random objects such as toothbrushes, herbs, pens, Tupperware lids, hair bands, and other knick-knacks that neighborhood residents & businesses gave Hector for inclusion in the project. The kaleidoscopes also contain mass produced plastic objects (cell phone covers, fluorescent brushes, plastic toys) from Mexico and Vietnam to reflect issues of globalization. The objects are reflected by the glass at the end of the kaleidoscope address the concept of “illusion” as in the “illusions immigrants have about coming to the United States.”

This summer, MACLA did a “Family Portraits” project open to all residents and small businesses located in the William/Reed Corridor. Photo shoots occurred at MACLA, outside of Bicycle Express and at individual businesses; residents were invited to invite their friends, family members, co-workers and neighbors to have their photo taken for free. San Jose-based artists Angelica Muro & Binh Danh took photographs of community members. Several of these portraits are featured in the exhibition along with a metal Family Tree comprised of small photographs.

In the center of the gallery is a large, (10 feet high x 8 feet diameter) Fountain filled with bright, fluorescent soda and is reminiscent of a wedding cake. The fountain is comprised of objects found on the neighborhood streets– an old tire, the side of a chair, etc. This utopian fountain reflects the preconceived idea that many immigrants had about the United States before they came here. In interviews, the phrase “money grows on trees in the U.S.” came up repeatedly. The cake shape references a comment by a Vietnamese immigrant whose analysis on the quality of life in the U.S. was surmised by the statement “everyone eats cake here, in my country we didn’t have birthday cakes.”

In the corner of the gallery is a Video Installation featuring edited excerpts of interviews with neighborhood residents and small business owners. The interviews explore where people are from, how long they’ve lived in the neighborhood, their preconceived ideas about life in the U.S., and what it means to live the “American dream” while struggling to pay rent and the difficulties they encounter here.

Public Program:
Saturday, November 19, 2005 12-4pm
Community Celebration Day
This is a perfect opportunity to see the exhibition and meet your neighbors. Enjoy performances by local cultural groups, browse the resource tables, and work with local artists to create your own art project. Activities for children and refreshments will be provided.

Artists’ Talk:
Wednesday, December 7, 2005 6:30pm
Join Hector Dio Mendoza for a gallery walk through and a conversation about his work in the William/Reed Corridor.

Gallery Hours:
Wednesday & Thursday, 12:00- 7:00pm
Friday & Saturday, 12:00- 5:00pm & by special appointment.