"Bearing Witness" pays tribute to the resilience and dignity of the Yanomami tribe amidst historical injustices and cultural erasure. In a context marred by violence and exploitation, the installation elevates voices of survival and resistance, highlighting the lasting impact of colonial oppression. By reclaiming control over their narratives, the Yanomami confront dominant victimhood narratives, asserting their right to dignity and self-determination. The artwork invites viewers to witness and engage with the untold stories of Indigenous resilience and cultural endurance through immersive visuals and powerful storytelling.
Where is the Blue Prince? How many continents must I traverse, how many beds must I sleep in, and how much effort must I expend to find him? This work explores the struggles of single parents, the dynamics of interracial and international relationships, and the waning commitment in marriage. It questions whether societal progress and individualistic pursuits have led us to prioritize singlehood, despite its potential for loneliness and depression. With 7.9 billion people in the world, why does solitude still prevail? Where is the Blue Prince?
The viewers are immersed in a surreal experience as the performer weaves a wool curtain, inviting contemplation on the labor-intensive nature of the fashion industry. Inspired by Vanesa Beecroft, this work challenges us to reflect on the intersection of artistry and labor.
The male human body serves as a tool of seduction in a ritual practice originating from my homeland, Venezuela, known as "Los Diablos de Yares de Venezuela." This work reflects the challenges nomads face: the nostalgia of recalling homeland traditions in a foreign land and the loss of practices that can no longer be performed.
2012-Present Florida-Chiago- Brazil This is an ongoing project to visit scenic areas worldwide to discover and document pollution levels in beaches, lakes, and parks. The work began in Key West, FL, where video footage captures the presence of trash on the beaches. The project then moved to Lake Michigan, focusing on the Chicago side. I have also visited the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, documenting the trash that ends up on the shores from Copacabana, Ipanema, to Leblon. The goal is to engage community involvement in mapping, studying, and tracking the progress of environmental improvement and preservation efforts worldwide.
2007 Installation/ Education community project Humboldt Park Project El Barrio, Chicago IL A series of workshops took place at elementary schools in the Humboldt Park area of Chicago. The project aimed to teach kids the importance of replacing the products they consume. The teacher's assistant involved in the project connected it to relevant social science concepts.
Installation Community Collaboration Humboldt Park Project El Barrio: Chicago, IL A project occurred in Humboldt Park, Chicago, a historically Puerto Rican community that experienced displacement due to the gentrification boom in the early 2000s. This project is rich with symbolism: the shoes represent the first Puerto Rican immigrants who arrived there. The second and third-generation community members helped place plants inside these shoes, which were then placed in the gardens of the Puerto Rican Museum. This act symbolizes the enduring roots of the community that will never be forgotten. Puerto Ricans were here first.
2002 SAIC Miracle Mile, Chicago IL
On the first anniversary of 9/11, I organized a group of friends and students to march in the Miracle Mile. As captured in the video performance, a year later, life goes on with everyone rushing to get home after a long day of work. We utilized that cathartic experience to reflect on our idea of peace. What's something exciting your business offers? Say it here.
Yellow grapes symbolize the degradation of our ecosystem and the misuse of resources, much like how grapes in Renaissance paintings represented the death of Christ. This video installation, crafted from recycled materials, incorporates educational videos on deforestation. Action is essential, and education is the key to halting deforestation. Give customers a reason to do business with you.
Video/Performance, Island Art Gallery, Newport RI.
The latest Super video performance delves into the exploitation and abuse of resources in the New World by Spanish conquistadors. Today, churches, museums, and various buildings proudly showcase gold collections that were obtained through the hard work and suffering of South American natives.What's something exciting your business offers? Say it here.
I had the privilege of performing at a fundraising gala event at the Art Institute of Chicago. My piece, "Becoming One with the Material," was a collaborative performance with a group of students. We depicted intricate body movements, intertwining our bodies like thread and needle, as we moved through the museum's corridors and various gallery rooms.
This work is inspired by A.W. Richard Sipe's "Sex, Priests, and Power," delving into St. Augustine's views on celibacy and its evolution within the Catholic clergy. It critiques the institutionalization of celibacy and its impact on power dynamics and secrecy.
The first video projection features a performance by the artist as a priest and a young man as a victim, prompting reflection on abuse scandals. Through editing techniques, the work weaves together themes of spirituality, fragmentation, and modernity, prompting a discussion on the complexities of religious practice and its potential for abuse.
Cornelia Arts Building, Chicago, IL Inspired by Pablo Neruda's "100 Love Sonnets," this multimedia installation and performance explore themes of love, death, and life's ephemeral nature. The artwork transforms public spaces, reflecting on the transient beauty and emotions embedded in Neruda's poetry.
This installation is part of a series of collaborations with my mother, reflecting our experiences as nomads and addressing themes of displacement. At the center of the installation, an image of a landscape features iconic buildings from various cities we've traveled to or lived in, creating an idealized dreamscape. Our collaboration, "Parallel Line," emerged from a desire to better understand our shared origins. Using a red thread from a previous performance, "Red Line," I claimed a space in the Venezuelan Consulate Gallery in New York. This red thread transformed into a red line through the use of tape, creating parallel lines that shift in color. These lines carry multiple meanings, symbolizing rows of text, distant horizons, and connections. The lines and videos intertwine, expressing ideas, stories, memories, and a shared nostalgic sense of origin. Together, the silent lines and echoing videos affirm our lives and experiences. The narrative and the tangible creation and interaction intentionally claim the space, drawing us into a state of otherness where, for a moment, we are no longer nomads.
The second projection showcases Reverend John's journey from Catholicism to Methodism, highlighting the acceptance of marriage and LGBTQ+ inclusion. Through editing techniques, the work synthesizes themes of spirituality, fragmentation, and modernity, inviting dialogue on the complexities of religious practice and abuse.
A tribute to late Mayor Justin Flippin, this sculpture adorned with thematic elements by local artist Javier A Lara symbolizes community unity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sculpture incorporates symbols of the Black Lives Matter movement, messages of unity, and a commemoration of Justin Flippin's legacy.
The term "Reverso" symbolizes the contrast between overlooked South American and Central American countries. Throughout the performance, flags are painted across the tops of the performers' bodies, representing the importance of these nations' resources. This artistic choice underscores the exploitation and mismanagement these countries face due to imperialistic powers.
Mixed media collages, silk screens, and drawings depict the social and political crises in Venezuela, the work created with urgency and visual impact, urging viewers to reflect on the country's urgent needs and chaos.
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BY JAVIER A. LARA, ARTIST
Saturday, August 24th through Friday, August 30th