Unrealized Project #9:
“Illegal Crossings: An attempt to secretly enter the United States via the Mexico/Texas Border” January, 2008
-A performance documented with photography, film and soundscape
Project Aims To make arrangements with Coyotes and/or a group of non-US citizens intending to infiltrate the Tex/Mex border. To undergo the dangerous journey as one of the others, swimming across the Rio Grande River. To arrive on American soil and into American society unharmed and undetected.
Project Realisation In order to realise the photographic/film project it would be necessary to spend a reasonable period of time (tbd) visiting and living briefly in border towns in order to become acquainted with the community and some individuals and also for them to come to understand and participate in the project in order to achieve a the best conditions and outcome. The Project would likely include documentation of illegal events and criminal activity, as well as quotidian patterns and practices of illegal border transport routes, and the project would rely to some extent on the participation of certain individuals from the community. In order to document the experiences photographically, a minimum of 2 video cameras (1 encased in waterproofing gear) would be required; one on the ground on the American side to capture the crossing/landing and the other hand held, 1st person account of human smuggling.
Logistics Issues to contend with/ overcome: -U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement -The US Dep’t of Homeland Security -The Minute Men (an amateur anti-immigration militia group) -Mexican Border Police -Strong river currents -Securing a trustworthy “coyote”(professional smuggler) -Personal safety precautions
Unrealized Project #9:
“Illegal Crossings: An attempt to secretly enter the United States via the Mexico/Texas Border” January, 2008
-A performance documented with photography, film and soundscape
Project Aims To make arrangements with Coyotes and/or a group of non-US citizens intending to infiltrate the Tex/Mex border. To undergo the dangerous journey as one of the others, swimming across the Rio Grande River. To arrive on American soil and into American society unharmed and undetected.
Project Realisation In order to realise the photographic/film project it would be necessary to spend a reasonable period of time (tbd) visiting and living briefly in border towns in order to become acquainted with the community and some individuals and also for them to come to understand and participate in the project in order to achieve a the best conditions and outcome. The Project would likely include documentation of illegal events and criminal activity, as well as quotidian patterns and practices of illegal border transport routes, and the project would rely to some extent on the participation of certain individuals from the community. In order to document the experiences photographically, a minimum of 2 video cameras (1 encased in waterproofing gear) would be required; one on the ground on the American side to capture the crossing/landing and the other hand held, 1st person account of human smuggling.
Logistics Issues to contend with/ overcome: -U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement -The US Dep’t of Homeland Security -The Minute Men (an amateur anti-immigration militia group) -Mexican Border Police -Strong river currents -Securing a trustworthy “coyote”(professional smuggler) -Personal safety precautions