The Brooklyn Rail

Throughout the years, my art has analyzed cultural societal views focused on the distinct bicultural, bilingual social norms. Often the artistic process is to find iconography which represents a cultural phenomenon or linguistic paradigm. Living in South Minneapolis, the epicenter of the repercussions of the unrest after the murder of George Floyd, is currently the focal point of the violent immigration raids. Due to the direct threat of deportations and fear of persecution, we find clandestine methods of messaging to share warnings through conversation, text messaging and social media. A need in the community has arisen for an increase in the Mexican tradition of “albur,” the use of double entendres. Born from the resistance during colonial times, it now serves in this contemporary scenario to defy the oppressor. This pragmatic solution of discreet communication is to avoid the retribution of using easily identifiable prohibited words. In a similar way to how polysemic phrases are being used in English to refer to the “Orange Cheeto” or “47,” this colloquial form of linguistic duality of expression is combined with humor. Recently I entered the gallery to uninstall my artwork of three screen prints about the repercussions of the civil unrest in 2020. The artwork had remained since the occupation of Minnesota began and now has become a distribution center of mutual aid. Resembling our sociolinguistic expression, our artistic expression may also need to shift. Hopefully we will cultivate a greater imagination in solidarity. I close with no longer saying “Hasta luego,” as it has been replaced with “Siguete cuidando” (Be safe).