Beyond Borders was produced during a residency at the Dallas Museum of
Art (DMA). The objective was to reveal fresh narratives between works of
art, while bringing to light cultures and traditions that are not part
of the museum's standard narrative about the works of art in the
permanent collection. This work unfolded against the backdrop of
an increasingly polarized US political and social climate, a travel ban
directed at Muslims and efforts to build a wall on the border between
the United States and Mexico. Moved by these social and political
events, with the belief and experience that art brings us together,
I created a tour that consists of a set of laminated cards featuring
six works of art from the DMA's permanent collection. The front of each
card includes an image of the selected work of art and a phrase that
I authored or found. My interpretation of the work of art is on the back
of each card. The set of cards, in Spanish and
English, also includes a map, guiding the museum visitor through the
three floors of this tour. Beyond Borders also included three months of
public programs for museum visitors of all ages.
Text on reverse of card at the start of the tour
As you stand here, in the Dallas Museum of Art, relatively still
and stable, the Earth is spinning on its axis at over 1000 miles
per hour. It is moving through space, around the sun, at 71,000
miles per hour. The sun itself is whirling around the center of our
galaxy at an immense speed, while the galaxy is moving away
from other galaxies even faster.
Meanwhile, back on Earth, thousands of species of birds are
freely traveling and migrating across man-made borders at
average speeds of 20 – 40 miles per hour. Their migration is
propelled by the seasons and their need to breed and raise
their young in habitat that supports their well- being and security.
IMAGE: Geoff Winingham, Bird House Vendor, Interstate 45.
negative 1973, print 1976. Gelatin Silver Print.
Dallas Museum of Art, gift of Prestonwood National Bank, 1981.36.8
PROJECT:
Beyond Borders, by Janeil Engelstad.
Artist in Residence, DMA Center for Creative Connections, January - March 2017
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