TRANSMIGRATION OF RUIN
INTRODUCTION
This project began as an exploration of the relationship between missionaries and California Native American groups in the California missions.
It arose from an idea of Yaocí Pardo, morphed into its present form by unpredictable circumstances.
My thesis rested in the idea that everyone —both the descendants of the Native Americans, and those of European descent (therefore, the multicultural fabric that resulted)— shared notions and values because we are all human, despite the polar positions played in this period of history.
I also believed this interaction could be investigated through a visual approach.
I quickly realized that it would be difficult to do. If any other than antagonism existed, it was obscured by what history describes happened amongst them during colonial times.
My introductory research on Native American and Franciscan cultures — the painful history
of California's original tribes and Spanish and American settlers — has led me to consider the ways in which society perpetuates those isolating, frequently abusive, dynamics, which are preserved and projected into the future through our own thoughts and memories.
This idea made me rethink my objective, as I realized my interest belonged in exploring thought forms and language as the vehicles of interaction with reality, as agents of change.
This idea made me rethink my objective, as I realized my interest belonged in exploring thought forms and language as the vehicles of interaction with reality, as agents of change.
I believe it is crucial for contemporary society at large, church hierarchies and governments of the world, to take responsibility, and, willingly, explore forms of acknowledging the pain inflicted to most indigenous cultures of the planet throughout history. To have the humility of asking for forgiveness for the harm done to them, would constitute an essential first step towards change and social healing at large.
This project is based on the idea that we are, not only equal, but that we are One.
This project is based on the idea that we are, not only equal, but that we are One.
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