From May 29 - June 2 the Border Criminologies Twitter feed will be guest-authored by members of the Desert Unit for Speculative Territories (DUST) project, an experimental research studio working at the intersections of spatial practice, critical theory and contemporary art. This is an international project bringing together artists and researchers from France and the US, conducting research and fieldwork in the Trans-pecos/Chihuahuan Desert/Big Bend border region of Texas. DUST is a collaboration of the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts at the University of Houston and École Supérieure des Beaux-arts de Nantes Métropole. Please visit www.desertunit.org for more information.
Contributors:
Erin Carty is an artist based in Houston. She was born in Heidelberg, Germany and was raised in various towns and cities until settling in El Paso, TX. She received her BFA in Studio Art with a concentration in Painting from Texas State University with a minor in Psychology. She currently is working on her Master's of Fine Arts from the University of Houston.
Jimmy Castillo is an artist living and working in the Near Northside of Houston, Texas, where he was born and raised. His work is in the collections of the Harry Ransom Center in Austin and the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. Jimmy has worked as the Assistant Director for Exhibitions at Lawndale Art Center and was the Civic Art Collection Manager for the City of Houston’s Civic Art Collection for 9 years. He is currently pursuing a Master’s of Fine Arts from the University of Houston.
Jesus Gonzalez Jr. is an artist based in Houston. He was born in Idaho, his mother is was born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico and his father was born in Eagle Pass, Texas. Gonzalez, his five brothers and parents all worked in agricultural fields making a living as a migrant family. He is deeply passionate about the Mexican/USA border issues and exploring a Mexican Indigenous identity. He is currently working on a Master’s of Fine Arts at the University of Houston.
Karen Martinez is a filmmaker from Hidalgo, Mexico who has lived in Houston since the age of 10 and is a DACA recipient. She explores multidisciplinary art forms and video art practices. She is pursuing her Master’s of Fine Arts at the University of Houston.
Abinadi Meza is a sound artist, filmmaker and visual artist, with advanced degrees in Art, Critical Studies and Architecture. He is a Professor and Director of Interdisciplinary Initiatives at the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts at the University of Houston. Meza is the Co-director of the DUST program.
Melissa Noble is an artist and performer based in Houston. She explores interdisciplinary practices, visual and performative experiences, and pathways for viewers to participate in performative art as an integral element. After many years in the theatre, she is examining the boundaries of character and the structure of narrative through task oriented improvisation. She has a BA in Art History and is currently pursuing a Master’s of Fine Arts at University of Houston.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in tweets by our Guests do not necessarily reflect the views of Border Criminologies.
