Featured: Border Art

Whether a physical barrier, an idea, a political symbol, or a set of policies, a border is an experience we all share. "The Border: Selections from the Phyllis and Ross Escalette Permanent Collection of Art" (Henley Reading Room, Leatherby Libraries, May 2nd - Nov. 17th) showcases art on the subject of borders from the Phyllis and Ross Escalette Permanent Collection of Art. Geographically, these works were all created in proximity to the border California and Arizona share with Mexico. More abstractly though, these works ask us to consider a border not just as a barrier or disruption but as a point of contact that co-exists within the flow of an environment and its human, animal, and plant populations.

The term Border-Art is a young art historical category and dates back to the formation of the Border Art Workshop in 1984 with their conceptual works, performances and site-specific installations. While the group was active during the 1980's their initial impulse still resonates in the fabric of artist communities today. Considering recent political and humanitarian developments the border and its effects are still and again subject of artistic inquiry.