POROUS PRISM
This immersive art installation was conceived specifically for El Paso, TX,
a city on the US-Mexico border, directly adjoined to, yet totally split from, Mexico’s Ciudad Juarez.
The contextual project transformed the concept of the border between the US and Mexico, represented by the linear chain link fence, into a zone of habitation and play.
It took the generic, industrial, ugly chain link fence we are accustomed to seeing as a barrier, and invited people to enter inside of it.
Wrapped up in the colors of the flowers of the desert - yellow, orange, purple, and magenta -
the boldest representations of life and beauty in El Paso’s landscape, the installation turned link fence into a celebration.
Art installation
Cleveland Sq Park, El Paso, TX
For
The City of El Paso Museums & Cultural Affairs Department
Media
“Artwork Uses Fences as Symbols of Beauty” (print) /
“California Artist Brings Beauty to Symbol of Border at Chalk the Block 2014” (online),
María Cortés González,
El Paso Times, 10/2014
“Color Is Back on the Streets,” Michaela Roman,
The Prospector, 10/2014
MATERIALS + DIMENSIONS
Fabric & chain link fence
50′ x 90′ x 8′ tall
50′ x 90′ x 8′ tall
This immersive art installation was conceived specifically for El Paso, TX, a city on the US-Mexico border,
directly adjoined to, yet totally split from, Mexico’s Ciudad Juarez.
Interview with María Cortés González for the El Paso Times
The contextual project transformed the concept of the border between the US and Mexico, represented by the linear chain link fence, into a zone of habitation and play.
It took the generic, industrial, ugly chain link fence we are accustomed to seeing as a barrier, and invited people to enter inside of it.
Featuring organically loose edges and entries, the installation cast strong geometric shadows, reminiscent of ancient architectures, over a 500 sq yard area.
Wrapped up in the colors of the flowers of the desert - yellow, orange, purple, and magenta -
the boldest representations of life and beauty in El Paso’s landscape, the installation turned chain link fence into a celebration.
While the play of the wind on the fabric was beautiful to observe in a slow and contemplative way,
many visitors felt challenged to race through the maze. The energetic colors and partial views through likely contributed to this,
as “do not run” signs were posted throughout.
While the play of the wind on the fabric was beautiful to observe in a slow and contemplative way,
many visitors felt challenged to race through the maze. The energetic colors and partial views through likely contributed to this,
as “do not run” signs were posted throughout.
The colors of the fabric were based on the warm, bold colors of flowers found in the Chihuahuan Desert, in which El Paso is situated.
The colors of the fabric were based on the warm, bold colors of flowers found in the Chihuahuan Desert, in which El Paso is situated.
While strong winds turned panels into amazing sculptural pieces,
the fabric was in motion at all times, even under milder conditions, making the somewhat industrial installation appear graceful and alive.
While strong winds turned panels into amazing sculptural pieces,
the fabric was in motion at all times, even under milder conditions, making the somewhat industrial installation appear graceful and alive.
At night, the colors changed to oranges, reds, and blues;
highlighting the saturated panel colors and mimicking the blueish light of the moonlit desert.
At night, the colors changed to oranges, reds, and blues;
highlighting the saturated panel colors and mimicking the blueish light of the moonlit desert.
Work/Credits
Design & Coordination: Ioana Urma. Engineering Check: Radu Urma.
Fabrication: United Site Services (fence), Miguel Zacarias/New York Tailor Shop (sewing), Ioana Urma (grommets), Alberto Bordier/HB Pro Sound (lighting), & Doug Jackson (testing help).
Site-Install: Ioana Urma, Juan Amendola, Larry Subia, Fernando Madrid, & United Site Services.
Photos: Ioana Urma, except aerials #2-4 by Brian Wancho for the City of El Paso.
