SOLO SHOWS / PROJECTS > La Raza Cósmica at MACLA

This video installation presents a mythical re-interpretation of Jose Vasconcelos’ mestizo identity theory, La Raza Cósmica, using animal stand-ins to depict the intermixing between Latinx bodies. In his theory, Vasconcelos states that the Latin American intermixing of European DNA with Amerindian, Asian, and African DNA, created an ethnical fusion, a mestizáje, which he characterizes as the cosmic race. Pairing this theory with the Spanish Casta paintings, popular in 18th century Spanish colonial Mexico and instrumental in constructing racial identity through a visual index, I envision a new set of Castas where Silicon Valley technology has been integrated to intercommunicate between Latinx families.

On view in "Unicorns, Aliens, and Futuristic Cities: Speculative Latinidades"
MACLA, San Jose, CA
Jun 5 — Aug 18, 2019

La Raza Cósmica
Mixed Media Video Installation
9ft X 19.5ft
2019
La Raza Cósmica 20XX
HD Digital Animation
La Raza Cósmica 20XX HD Digital Animation 2 min. 21 sec.
2019