Artist Bio:

Alejandro Martienz

I am a second-generation Mexican-American transborder multi-media artist and educator from the San Diego/Tijuana region. I am a son to a father and mother, both born in Mexico. My sisters, along with my cousins and I, are the first generation born in the United States. 
My poems, collages, videos, images, and anything I may make aim to humanize many aspects of my personal life and those closely related to my identity, which is one centered around borders, liberation, and radical love.
I use art to cope, record and navigate my experiences.

Alejandro Martinez 

alejandromjunior@gmail.com
 

 Analysis Of The Work

Alejandro Martinez has created this 30 x 40in a photograph known as  “Untitled” in 2016 in collaboration with Borderclick and with support from the AjA project. Martienz developed these photos by using a double exposure technique to capture what it’s like to have a double life for those who commute across the border between the United States and Mexico, “border-crossers” for either work or housing. The photograph is of the world's fourth busiest land border crossing, the San Ysidro Port of Entry at the Tijuana/San Diego border. When looking at this collaborated piece with Borderclick, you can notice the process of self-exploration, even with the isolating effect of the physical border being the main subject. Having to travel across the border on a daily basis, and having to endure the violence that is caused to their minds and bodies, they have been able to find and connect with, one another to help visualize an invisible community. Also during this collaboration they have made a pledge to continue to support each other while they advocate for their communities in hopes to pursuit self-improvement, social justice, and civic engagement. These projects will continue to accrue thanks to the AjA Project a non-profit that provides access to art programs to youth in the most diverse and historically under-served communities of San Diego. 

Untitled

ARTIST:  Alejandro Martinez

DATE: 2016

MEDIUM: Photograph

DIMENSIONS: 30 × 40 in. (76.2 × 101.6 cm)

CLASSIFICATIONS: Photography

Personal Interpretation & Analysis:

While looking at this black and white photograph I was able to figure out that it was a photo of the border despite the double exposure effect that was done to it. The photograph  doesn’t only have the San Diego border in the image but also the line of cars waiting to be allowed entry. As the viewer you are able to get an idea of what it is like to wait in the line of cars for hours at a time and the feeling of having to wait forever until you are allowed to continue on with your everyday activities. Martinez took an interesting approach to demonstrate the idea of having a “double life” by photographing the traffic on the freeway caused by the border and including a familiar image of a car to us. Everyday people either see or use cars as a way of transportation but nobody knows what the driver has been through to get to where they are on the road now. This idea of using the car is able to reach the viewer better than if it was just a photo of the border since most people do not see the border everyday or perhaps have never seen the border before. Also, the car itself is an object that perhaps most people spend their time in due to it being that main source of transportation and it is an item that most people decorate and make personal to them. The car is a way of self expression and most drivers have at some level a personal connection to their cars because of either memories or the amount of importance they give their car. So, having a car heading to the boarder makes this piece more personal and easier to relate to an unfamiliar object being the main focus point of this photograph. Having this topic translated into a photograph can make it easier to talk about immigration and events that occur at the boarder easier to discuss and share multiple people's points of views. Political black and white photography is a significant element of art because it captures the essence of a moment in time. It can convey a powerful messages about social, economic, and political issues, and provide a glimpse into the past. By using contrasts and lighting, black and white photography can create a dramatic and impactful effect. It can also be used to evoke strong emotions and thoughts. Political art as a whole is a crucial element of the art world. It has the power to make a statement, raise awareness, and spark conversation about important issues. By addressing social, economic, and political issues through art, we can create a more informed progressive, and engaged society.
 

Sources & Links 

https://www.alejandromjunior.com/her

https://chapman.emuseum.com/objects/1589/untitled?ctx=ffdb3973884efa18f00efdef44a880e75081f2d4&idx=0

https://scalar.chapman.edu/scalar/this-land-is-your-land/untitled-by-alejandro-martinez