East Hudson Valley News

Dia Art Foundation is showcasing "Echoes from the Borderlands: Study Two," a sound installation by Valeria Luiselli, Ricardo Giraldo, and Leo Heiblum. This work examines the history of violence along the U.S.-Mexico border through a sound journey starting at the Pacific Ocean in San Diego-Tijuana and moving east to the Gulf of Mexico. The exhibition will be open at Dia Chelsea from December 11, 2024, to March 1, 2025.

The piece consists of four six-hour segments focusing on California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. It highlights current issues related to the border following the recent U.S. presidential election. Jessica Morgan, Dia’s Nathalie de Gunzburg Director, stated that the project "embodies" Dia's mission by pushing artistic boundaries and addressing significant social issues.

Described as a "sonic documentary-fiction," this project combines voices from those living along the border with new soundscapes created for this presentation. Humberto Moro, Dia’s deputy director of program, noted that it challenges visitors to listen to both current residents and historical echoes.

Kamilah Foreman emphasized that it offers "a profound narrative" on identity and displacement. A chapbook accompanies the exhibition with further insights into these themes.

The project was curated by Kamilah N. Foreman and Humberto Moro and is supported by ISLAA. It was developed in collaboration with several institutions including Harvard University and La Corriente del Golfo Podcast.