Questions about the performance

Mario Cadena, Sofía Hidalgo, Josue Salguero, Alexis Trujillo and Hillary Vega made a performance, where body expressions and transmission without speaking take an immeasurable role, about a position on what happens to people's identity when they migrate. The group made a video in which they recreated famous photos about migration, through the use of specific clothes, objects and locations. We interviewed them to learn more about this amazing project.


1. Why do you think people see photography as a form of art?





Josué said that photography can be as elaborated as painting because there's different factors to keep in mind to make a good photo. Also he states: “ Well, you see, photography captures an essential unique moment, a moment that isn't going to happen ever again, it shows emotions, cultures, life.” In our daily life, photography is something very useful and not all have the ability to show a message in their photos.







2. What do you feel doing this kind of activity? Do you think that something changed in yourself?








Mario mentioned how people were obligated to leave their own countries for differente social, political and military conflicts. Here he states: " When I was doing this activity I felt kind of different, during the photography session, specifically when I was recreating the scenes I started to imagine how much pain the immigrants suffer every day, some of them leave their countries searching for a good quality life for him or her, and for their families.” So, as a result of this, something changed about himself during this activity.








3. For what age group demographic are the photographs directed to?








Mario remarks that. “The photos are directed for an demographic age group that is qualified to reason and do a critical analysis about the immigrant situations.” This means that the photographs are directed for empowered teenagers, with critical thinking abilities and adults.







4. Do you think people will connect with the photographs? They will impact them due to migrants' reality?





Sofia explained that the purpose of these photos is to convey the reality of migrants and the loss of identity they suffer; this is achieved through the use of symbols, faces, clothing, among others. About whether the photos would connect with the audience, she claims “That is why people can be linked with these images, even if they have not lived it, these problems are present in society, so many people are aware of it.”. Moreover, in her opinion the news media have given great coverage to migration, so these photos will greatly contribute to its dissemination and impact the audience.




5. Do you think that one of the purposes of Art is to make awareness of social issues or it should only represent beauty and esthetic?

In Alexis’s opinion, although today's predominant philosophical current provokes in people the need for perfection and aesthetics above anything else, it is important to keep an open mind and take into consideration many other perspectives. In this way, a person will have a panoramic view of many situations and will have a better background that will help him/her determine whether something is right or wrong. In addition, he thinks that this process also helps to develop analytical and critical thinking. Finally he states that “The duty of art is to help people reflect on their environment and examine all social aspects, not because something is socially accepted means it is right.”

6. If you had a future chance of recreating this type of work surrounding different photography, would you choose your teammates to do it again or not? What does your team and You share in common about this experience?


Hillary explained that she would love to recreate this type of work, the fact of preparing, getting into character was an experience where she could think outside of the box. In her opinion, due to the combination of acting, improvisation, creativity and hard work, this performance could have been truly awful if her partners had not collaborated or if there had been no connection at all. She claims “I am very lucky with the colleagues I had for this job, it was easy to connect our concepts and place them in the photography, so I am proud of all the effort we put in to make it go well, without thinking twice” In her opinion, the group have in common that throughout this experience they entered a new type of work, photography, in which they did not have much experience. In addition, all of them have commitment and love for art when it comes to communicating a message to the audience in the best way possible.