16 Apr 2023
Cahoots LabThreads of Journey
Description
Cahoots Lab 2023: work-in-progress community engagement and visual arts project
In August 2022 Yamile started making some visual works about her personal experience about the immigration Process she was involved in, and Carlos began an embroidery project in a small size depicting his knowledge built around Australia’s map.
Later on, we decided to work together towards a new body of artwork to engage audiences to understand our Permanent Residency process combining the ideas and the techniques we were working along. In November 2022 we decided to diagram our immigration process having in mind what we did, who was involved and how we did it.
We are inviting people to join us on the lawns of the Legislative Plaza, and make visible the journey they have lived while they are trying to get a visa or a citizen status.
This work is about the perspective of people who have experienced migration and how they diagram the steps they have done in that endeavour. This project aims to weave stories between persons, government and non-government organisations involved in some immigration process. There is also the possibility for participants to express their feelings and thoughts recapitulating their odyssey.
This work is one part of the story of us, but at the same time is the connection with other community stories around, this is an opportunity to show to the public the system that we have transited in our purpose to live in this place. We care about this work because it is a community thread made by the people’s experiences, each line carries a story behind and is made with a certain feeling in mind. This project is an alive organism who grows and changes with the time and the collaborators involved.
We want to engage with migrants, or people that have experienced an immigration process in their life. The general public are welcome as an audience to see the work and understand others’ experiences.
SUNDAY APRIL 16 | LEGISLATIVE PLAZA | 12PM – 4PM | FREE EVENT | REGISTRATION NOT REQUIRED
YAMILE TAFUR RIOS
I am an artist and educator. My field of interest and research focus on the process of manual labour, everyday occupations and ways to belong. Drawing, painting and making community projects are part of my practice. But I like to experiment with different mediums such as textiles, weaving or collaging in my work depending on the project that I am working on.
Currently I am developing my skills to work with collaborators in the construction of works of art, I am also working on my community projects building my confidence to involve people in the creative process.
CARLOS MARIO SANCHEZ
I love to create experimental techniques and make a dialogue with my thoughts and the environmental universe. I delight and get mesmerized whenever I create something. I don’t feel hungry or angry, I don’t feel worried or panic. I feel free.
After a long path of permanent residency process I got several skills. Now I plan to deconstruct the process with the movements of the threads and let my feelings explode. Then the installation will talk about it.
Yamile was a Cahoots resident in 2022.
Participants can engage with the artists to create a large scale ‘map’ or ‘diagram’ made out of thread.
You can drop in anytime between 10am-4pm and stay for as long as you like.
We hope people will enjoy being part of a creative project that cares about personal journeys. We want them to have fun with some materials making threads that describe moments of life but also we want the general audience to reflect from others experiences and have some empathy with others stories.
Legislative Plaza is outdoors, in between the Legislative Assembly and the 220 London Circuit building.
There is a large, grassed area in between the buildings where the artists will be working.
This event is outdoors. There is a small step up onto the grassed area.
Anything you share about your experience can remain anonymous if you wish, and you may request not to be photographed. You are free to share as much or as little about your journey and experiences are you are comfortable with.
If you have questions or access requirements, please email Ono Chowdhury at access@youareherecanberra.com.au or call 0450 904 282.
