The Cloud video here
Valle Del Matador
Tijuana-San Diego
Mexico-USA Border
October 14, 2000
The US-Mexican border embodies an enormous social inequality and an astounding disequilibrium of political and economic power.
As economic globalization is being celebrated as the triumph of international capitalism across frontiers, the border between Mexico and the United States has seen implemented the most draconian military measures in its history designed to prevent immigrant workers from crossing those newly "open frontiers".
An obscene amount of resources has been poured in recent years in an effort to stem the flow of undocumented immigrants. More than 3,000 Border Patrol agents are patrolling today the 66-mile border in San Diego County alone. They have implemented military-style tactics to seal the border and erected miles of high-security fencing, buried thousands of motion sensors along border trails and deployed dozens of helicopters equipped with infrared detectors.
In the last decade alone, it is estimated that more than three thousand people have died trying to cross the border. These deaths have been the result of shootings by US Immigration Officials, drowning, extreme climatic conditions, and automobile accidents, some of them caused by high-speed chases by the Border Patrol.
In repeated visits to the area and in numerous interviews and discussions with activists working on both sides of the border, I discovered an intolerable situation and an unacceptable tragedy: in the 21st Century people still die trying to simply cross a border between two countries.
I created The Cloud as an ephemeral monument in the memory of those who lost their lives trying to cross the border. The Cloud lasted 45 minutes in which we offered a space and time of mourning. Music was played on both sides of the border, symbolically uniting a divided land and people. Poetry was read and a moment of silence was observed.
Then the balloons were released. Contrary to normal wind conditions, the wind that morning took an unexpected turn and pushed the balloons towards Mexico. Catalina Enriquez, Felix Zavala, Guadalupe Romero, Trinidad Santiago, Aureliano Cabrera and the others went back home.
Alfredo Jaar
Notes on The Cloud, 2000
alfredojaar.net
The use of balloons was an interesting choice for this project. Balloons are a product of capitalism, a product made in large quantities and often shipped from other countries. The balloons are migrants themselves celebrated. They are the perfect monument to celebrate the lives lost.
ReplyDeleteRight and they don't recognize borders and float freely. Good.
DeleteI cannot hear any sound from the video. Is it what it should be?? But anyways, I'm a big fan of balloons artwork and absolutely, this is amazing. It's amazing that small balloons can be one big format and bring us so much feelings. It brings me the celebration, happiness, and freedom. Very peaceful artwork.
ReplyDeleteI definitely enjoyed the symbolism of the balloons representing those who lost their lives trying to cross the border. I think the piece was very strong, especially as the balloons were released and free flowing in the wind, allowing them to travel freely. I really liked how they were able to unite the land for the duration of the piece by having music played on both sides of the border.
ReplyDeleteI forget if I mentioned Cassagrande's Poetry Bombing project. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/poetry-bombing-casagrande-london-rain-poems_n_1627951
DeleteI was very drawn to this piece and how the monument concept was used to be a memorial for those that have lost their lives crossing the border. The environment and the cloud were directly intertwined in representing a memorial for those that lost their lives. The use of balloons was interesting in that many memorials have balloons that individuals release in remembrance of that individual. I also liked that there was performance with the monument sculpture, creating an environment that sets the tone of a memorial.
ReplyDeleteYes. And it is ephemeral as is the music.
DeleteThis piece is monumental in size as it is in impact. For me this piece enforces my own personal views towards patrolled borders in that they are illogical and dangerous. Uniting the divided land and people with music was very thought provoking and moving. This piece reached all the criteria of what a monument should/can be.
ReplyDeleteYes and it is important to think (of all the solutions Jaar could come up with)... how/why are these elements and this performance successful in terms of being critical of the border policy?
DeleteThis piece produces an overwhelming impact due to its stature. I gained some personal effects from this piece as I am also a child of immigrant and to see the current treatment of migrants and the border patrol has been putting rage. However through this piece the monument served as a memorial to the brave individuals who lost their lives trying to cross the border has given hope in trying to solve this problem.
ReplyDeleteThis monument as a memorial is not only an emotional experience but represents a humane side to a political and economic issue. The use of white balloons is not only beautiful but adds to the cloud in its shape and as each fly away, showcases pieces of one (like humans as one) is truly a beautiful and significant experience.
ReplyDelete