Four separate exhibitions focusing on artists working in the bi-national San Diego/Tijuana region will open Thursday night at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego‘s downtown galleries.
The exhibitions include new work and selections from the museum’s permanent collection that highlight the institution’s commitment to bi-national art. Opening is at 5 p.m. Thursday, when the museum is free four two hours, and the exhibitions will be on display through Thanksgiving weekend.
DeLIMITations
Artists Marcos Ramírez Erre and David Taylor trace the historical 1821 border between Mexico and the western territories of the United States. The artists marked the boundary by installing 47 sheet metal markers that mimic the stone and iron obelisks that delineate the current international border. This exhibition presents the full series of photographs as well as the obelisks.
Papel Chicano Dos
Works on paper from the collection of actor Cheech Marin showcase Chicano artists from established figures such as Carlos Almaraz, John Valadez and Margaret Garcia to younger emerging artists such as Wenceslao Quiroz and Carlos Donjuan. The artwork on display demonstrates a range of techniques from watercolor and aquatint to pastel and mixed media.
Ruben Ochoa: Watching, Waiting, Commiserating
In the exhibition “Watching, Waiting, Commiserating,” Mexican-American artist Ruben Ochoa makes use of common construction materials to create imposing sculptural installations that draw new associations between aesthetics, architecture and class.
Moris: Beautiful Landscape 7
In his Hermoso Paisaje series, Israel Meza Moreno, who is better known as “Moris,” creates makeshift shelters and furniture using found materials such as garbage, tarps, and cardboard. These installations are made from the material remains of the urban landscape they recreate. Informed by art history, ethnography and activism, the artist’s works are almost portraits of the city, capturing their wastefulness.
The museum’s downtown galleries at 1100 Kettner Boulevard are open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Wednesdays. Founded in 1941, the museum is the preeminent contemporary visual arts institution in San Diego County with more than 4,700 works of art created since 1950.
