The Activist Presence of an Absence

“The Activist Presence of an Absence” was born out of a group of women activists with the intention of sharing and preserving their personal archives as people of the American* diaspora. In order to access their memoryscapes, and create and recreate their immigrant narratives, the project has required interdisciplinary work with a strong focus on visual arts, activism, and community building. Incorporating diverse media such as photography, film, social practice, and performance, the project focuses on storytelling with the goal of transformation and healing within the immigrant community.

The visual starting point for this project has been the creation of photographic work using alternative processes such as cyanotype and anthotype. In this sense, “The Activist Presence of an Absence” builds upon my previous project, “Fleeting Under Light”, as it incorporates the recreation of archival imagery while addressing the ephemerality of our identities and the need for active participation in shaping American history.

The voices included in this project are essential as they address a longstanding gap in what has been considered a legitimate discourse on ‘American identity.’ The participants are women of indigenous origin, immigrant mothers, and fierce activists who have found happiness and growth through their belief in community. Using a collaborative approach, the work in this project investigates memory and identity, while strengthening community bonds and making a political statement for inclusion.