an aspect of Markings for DOTD, 2014

The 15th annual Day of the Dead exhibition, Visions at Twilight: Día de los Muertos 2014 on view October 11–November 8 at SOMArts.

Markings is an on-going community-based project in which people are invited to fill out tags printed with “This is where…” – with their memories of places. The tags are then added to flags, which are put in front of the places where their memories took place, and photographed. The images for an aspect of Markings for DOTD are from a social engagement action as part of the Plaza 16 Coalition March/Festival in the Mission on October 4, 2014. People filled out a tag with “This is where..” printed on it. Their place/memory was then photographed, printed and framed [using frames found in that community]. The piece is installed on the inside of the large ‘home’ in the gallery space – designed and built by René Yañez for the exhibition – to refer to the importance of home being a part of the community that surrounds it. Throughout the exhibition, participants can fill out tags to have their place/memory photographed and added to the installation.

The photos of tags/flags with “This is where…”

...nos besamos por primera vez fuera del Camaleón [ahora Amnesia]. Todavía nos besamos 20 años + 5 desalojos después.
...we first kissed outside the Chameleon [now Amnesia]. We still kiss 20 years + 5 evictions later.
...tomé mi primera clase de baile con 3 generaciones de mujeres latinas.
...I took my first dance class with 3 generations of Latina women.
...Bebo café … la misma taza de café durante 17 años.
...I drink coffee…the same cup of coffee for 17 years.
...He visto a la gente empujando hacia atrás + resistiendo en los últimos años.
...I have seen the people on this corner pushing back + resisting over the years.
...hay cultura y diversidad.
...there is culture and diversity.
...un grupo de ranas cantan en la noche.
...a group of frogs sing at night.
...un montón de chicos pasan el rato y juegan dados en la noche. Yo vivo en esta esquina y su presencia es una vista agradable tarde en la noche cuando el resto de la zona es inquietantemente vacía.
...a bunch of guys hang out and play dice at night. I live on this corner and their presence is a welcome sight late at night when the rest of the area is eerily empty.
...solía ser un lugar que podíamos caminar con nuestras familias. Perder murales. Ahora me siento menospreciada.
...used to be a place we could walk with our families. Losing murals. Now I feel looked down on.
...Hago compras y paso el rato. Me recuerda a las Filipinas.
...I shop and hang out. Reminds me of the Philippines.
...Yo vivía en la Casa de Fracaso. El hogar Queer Punk del ’93 al ’98. Epicentro Zona Punk colectiva.
...I lived at House of Failure. Queer punk household from ’93 to ’98. Epicenter Zone Punk Collective.
...Vi algunas películas mexicanas con mi Padre.
...I watched some Mexican movies with my Father.
...Encontré el amor, vida, la verdad, amigos.
...I found love, life, truth, friends.

Do you have memories of places in Bayview or the Mission? Participate in this project and the image will be sent to you. laurie@senseofplacelab.com