Performance | José Villalobos | El Agua Que Nos Carga
El Agua Que Nos Carga
Performance piece by José Villalobos
In conjunction with In This Body, I Persevere
October 7, 2023
Below is a video recording of José's performance.
Warning: Graphic and Emotionally Distressing Content
Water, a wellspring of existence, exhibits a dual nature- simultaneously serving as a life-giving force and being wielded as a tool of aggression when transformed into a barrier for migrants navigating the “border.” This work establishes a profound link to the ancestral journey of Villalobos’ family across this boundary, a voyage undertaken outside legal confines prominently embodied by his mother. The narratives she shared regarding the arduous passages through bodies of water and arid terrains encapsulate an intricate tapestry of heritage, shaping the very essence of the artist’s identity.