Disappeared senoritas

NoC News

From October 6 to November 4, the Tuska Center for Contemporary Art at the University of Kentucky will be exhibiting Wall of Memories: The Disappeared Senoritas of Ciudad Juárez by Lexington artist Diane Kahlo. The show presents portraits of the more than 350 disappeared and murdered women of Juárez, Mexico.

In 1993, young women began disappearing in Ciudad Juárez, which sits across the border from El Paso, Texas. The young women, often workers at the assembly plants along the border, are often found in the desert, tortured and mutilated. Many believe that the murders are partially the result of neoliberal economic policies, drug trafficking, and governmental corruption. One can only say ‘partially’ because the murders have never been solved and the situation in Juárez is a confusing web of violence, drugs, conspiracies, and fear. While many news reports put the number at 350, scores more women are believed to have been killed under similar circumstances.

Wall of Memories is an important addition to the art and journalism dedicated to ending the murders. Kahlo, who also co-curated Crossings\Travesías at the Lexington Art League in the spring, hopes to raise awareness in Kentucky and beyond about violence against women and the intersections of sexism, classism, exploitation, violence, poverty, and immigration.

Events related to the exhibit have been scheduled, including talks, films, and workshops. The official opening and reception will be Monday, October 10 from 5:30-8:30 P.M. A preview night and participatory installation will take place on Thursday, October 6 from 5:00-8:00 P.M. On October 13, the UK Latin American Studies Program will show the documentary Senoritas Extraviadas in the UK Student Center, room 230. Additionally, there will be a workshop for writers, visual artists, and filmmakers working on projects related to violence and politics; the time and date of the workshop will be announced soon. All events are free and open to the public.

For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/tuskacenterforcontemporaryart.