Stealness Kin

1st Place Curator’s Choice

THEME

Migration is the enduring narrative of humanity, from nomadic tribes on, or driven by wars, environmental disasters, or social upheaval, Man has always been on the move. Within a few generations in most families, there's a pivotal journey that reshapes destinies. For instance, my maternal grandfather, a German Jew, made the voyage to Colombia at the onset of Nazism. On my paternal side, the family had to relocate several times during Colombia's turbulent "La Violencia" era. "Reality Change" pays tribute to this migratory spirit, with a focus on the Cuban Diaspora, prominent in Miami, the place I migrated to. In 2022, a record 200,000 Cubans arrived in the USA, with many risking their lives on homemade boats to reach Florida's shores. Upon arrival, they rush to find their contacts, leaving the boats ashore for a day or two before the US Coast Guard tows and dismantles them. I embarked on a mission to document and preserve these transient yet life-altering artifacts. This project honors the intertwined human stories within these boats, recognizing their significance as tangible symbols of hope amid adversity. It underscores their importance in the local community and in the broader context of global migration. The project stands as testament to the ingenuity and determination required to transform one's reality. 

METHOD

The “Reality Change” series adopts an innovative approach to found object art or assemblage, every boat within the series was actually found on Florida beaches, and then carefully scanned using photogrammetry. This technique involves photographing an object from multiple angles and digitally reconstructing it into an exact three-dimensional replica in the virtual realm. This method captures each boats’ unique volume, presence, and materiality. In four individual tableaux, the scans were composited and repeated strategically in virtual space, ensuring their multidimensionality was presented through various viewing angles. Attention was then given to lighting, meticulously replicating the illumination present in the background photographs. In this way reflections and shadows are cast by the 3D boats, blending them seamlessly with their surroundings and producing unique and cohesive compositions. 

CONCEPTS

The multiplicity or repetition of vessels in each tableau conceptually suggests the many other boats that set out on their fateful voyages, but are not recorded, or perhaps don’t make it to their intended destination. The burgeoning splashes of water touch upon the whirlwind of emotions when facing new and complex situations, and are also a reference to water’s cleansing nature, implying new beginnings. In the compositions, the assemblage of boats breathe new life and meaning to the idyllic "Florida Postcard" photographic backgrounds, aiming for a striking juxtaposition that prompts reflection and engagement. This contrast is relevant as many local residents are not aware of the issue at hand, or rather prefer to keep it out of sight, out of mind. 

MEDIUM

The pieces in the project encompass four digital tableaux, and can vary in scale, and a series of fine art prints which are 30in by 20in. A key aspect, is that the project has an interactive component to it; the boats can be experienced at full scale via Augmented Reality, making an immersive exploration of their many surprising details and intricacies possible. Also, the possibility of experiencing the digital version of the boats to scale instantly and anywhere in the world, further develops the displacement and migration concept of the series. The preservation of tangible objects within the realm of virtual space is a concept that deeply resonates with me. It’s implications extend and encompass journalistic and historical dimensions. By immortalizing these tangible artifacts through digital means, we not only celebrate their existence but also ensure their accessibility for future generations to appreciate and study, fostering empathy, understanding, and appreciation for the human stories entwined within them. The audio interview from Daniel Pineiro, who migrated from Cuba in a vessel such as these ones, acts as the backdrop in the installation version of Reality Change. A powerful and emotional first hand account of the journey. 

RESEARCH / CONTEXT

Migration in art acts as a catalyst for dialogue, sparking conversations on topics such as identity, displacement, cultural assimilation, and social justice. It encourages viewers to confront their own perspectives, prejudices, and privileges, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the migrant experience. The exploration of this theme in art unveils our shared humanity, offering a powerful means of examining some of the social and cultural dynamics of our globalized world.