Art21 - Art in the 21st Century Season 9 Episode 3 Borderlands

Art21 - Art in the 21st Century season 9 episode 3 is titled "Borderlands" and explores the works of four artists who are exploring the edges of the art world in their own unique ways. The episode features immersive and thought-provoking works that invite reflection on the current situation in the world and how it is influenced by various cultures, beliefs, and emotions.

The four artists featured in the episode are photographers Richard Misrach and Guillermo Galindo, as well as multimedia artists Postcommodity and Maria Hupfield. Each artist's work takes a different approach to exploring borders and what it means to be in between spaces, whether that be geographical borders, cultural boundaries, or emotional thresholds.

Richard Misrach's work documents the U.S.-Mexico border, capturing the complex relationship between the two countries and their cultures. Through his large-scale photographs, Misrach invites the viewer to confront the stark realities of immigration and the political polarization that surrounds it. Meanwhile, Guillermo Galindo uses found objects from the borderlands to create sound-scapes that reveal the unseen and unheard tensions in the region.

Postcommodity, a collective of indigenous artists from the U.S. Southwest and Canada, confront the legacy of colonialism and challenge the boundaries between art and activism. Their work, which includes installation, sound, and performance, highlights the complexities of identity, land rights, and cultural heritage. Maria Hupfield, a member of the Anishinaabe Nation, uses performance and sculpture to explore the tensions between individual and collective identity, as well as the role of technology in shaping cultural narratives.

Throughout the episode, the artists' works are presented in an immersive and engaging way, allowing the viewer to experience the borderlands in a visceral and thought-provoking way. The episode offers insights into some of the most pressing issues of our time, including immigration, human rights, environmental degradation, and cultural heritage.

Overall, "Borderlands" is a powerful and timely exploration of the many borders that we face in our lives, and how art can help us to bridge those divides. It is a must-see for anyone interested in contemporary art, politics, and the complex relationship between cultures.