Sea Worthy Efa Project Space at the Elizabeth Foundation for the Art

TRAJINERA XOCHITL
México - New York, 2011 - ongoing
Conceived by Natalia Porter

Image created past Natalia Porter

Photo: Ximena Rozo, Flushing Meadows Corona Park

(encounter slideshows below)

Trajinera Xochitl is an interdisciplinary project fabricated posible thanks to the participation of designers, artists, educators, journalists and scientists, with the purpose of generating cultural exchanges through existent experiences.

For this project we collaboratively re-created a trajinera, one of my nascency-country's most emblematic boats, typical of Xochimilco, a rural function of Mexico City all-time known for its canals and chinampas, that are left from what was an all-encompassing man made canal organization which originated over 200 years earlier the Mexica empire. My intention with this project is to convey a chip of my own personal history and origins, likewise every bit those of my country, but more than that, with the purpose of using it -literally and metaphorically- equally a vehicle for cultural commutation; to bring people from different contexts and backgrounds together; to learn, to generate experiences and to talk about diverse issues apropos Mexico and NY.

This project was originally conceived by Natalia Porter equally function of Seaworthy, organized by The EFA Project Space , Flux Factory and The Gowanus Studio Space , presenting work past artists who use the gunkhole as a platform for commonage action, private reflection and liberatory possibility.

1rst Event - 2011
Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana – Xochimilco, Mexico City
Design students Ramón Flores and Antonio Bergúa from the Industrial Design program at the Academy were asked to research the construction and apply of these boats in the bodily woodshops where these boats are built, in Xochimilco. Ramón and Antonio put together a detailed document including photos, descriptions and drawings of the boat's structure, dimensions and materials.

2nd Effect - 2011
Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts, Project Space, New York
The projection & model of gunkhole were presented as office of Seaworthy.

tertiary Consequence - 2011
The Gowanus Studio Infinite, Brooklyn

The boat was redesigned with designer Ben Cohen -adapting to local materials and necessities- and built with the participation of at least 15 artists and designers, with Ben's guidance, as part of Seaworthy.

fourth Result - 2011
Valentino Pier, Scarlet Hook, Brooklyn.
Lawrence Downes and Eduardo Porter (part of the editorial board of The New York Times) led a conversation about Mexican migration today, focusing on how it is that Mexican communities contribute to the growth of this country. The chat happened on and around the boat, which was set next to the Hudson River, looking towards the Statue of Liberty.

fifth Issue - 2011
Marina 59, Far Rockaway, Queens.
The boat was used to host dinners, with the participation of fellow artists and friends involved in Seaworthy, battling hurricane Irene, among other storms.

sixth Event - 2011
Queens Museum of Fine art / Flushing Meadows Corona Park: as part of Seaworthy and Celebrate Mexico Now.

Part i - Console Discussion led past urban planner Kaja Kühl about the history and present challenges of supplying and living with water in the 2 cities. Special guest Erwin Stephan-Sotto (Director of the Ecological Park in Xochimilco, Mexico), shared an overview of history and relevance of Xochimilco and its chinampas, a method of aboriginal Mesoamerican agriculture still valid today and described current challenges and solutions with managing it'southward watershed. Followed by Larry Beckardt (Deputy Chief for Long Term Planning at the Department of Environmental Protection) and Shama Perveen, Ph.D. (Acquaintance Research Scientist, Columbia University Earth Found) who drew parallels to the history and present of New York City's watershed and its challenges, exploring global connections betwixt the 2 water systems.

Office 2 - Using story telling, sound and objects, Mexican artist Polina Porras created an interactive performance involving the Mexican families living in Corona, traveling into the world of the Aztec Empire.

Part 3 - Functioning/procession led by mexican artist Antonia Guerrero and a a grouping of Conchero or Aztec dancers based in New York, who guided us towards Meadow Lake where Trajinera Xochitl waited. La danza conchera is a sacred, ceremonial dance that dates its origins to the Toltec civilisation of Mexico. Having survived centuries since the Spanish Conquest, it is today widely practiced throughout Mexico and in areas of the United States, where immigration communities accept grown. Its ritualistic, colorful and dynamic dances join men, women and children to celebrate the nurturing aspects of nature.

Role four – Boat rides on the trajinera at Meadow Lake (thanks to Ben Cohen and Stephan von Muehlen), with Mexican food and live music.

7th Outcome - 2012
Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana – Xochimilco, Mexico
Lecture

8th Event - 2013
Universidad de Campinas – Sao Paolo, Brazil
Lecture as part of "Eros and Education"

9th Event - 2013
Neter, Mexico.
The model and project were presented as part of Commonage Show with EyelevelBQE.

This projection was originally conceived as part of SeaWorthy, organized by The EFA Project Space, Flux Factory and The Gowanus Studio Infinite, presenting piece of work by artists who utilise the boat every bit a platform for collective action, private reflection and liberatory possibility.

After the project grew with support of The Mexican Cultural Institute, Celebrate Mexico Now Cultural Festival, Queens Museum of Art, Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco, Universidad de Campinas, Brazil.

The gunkhole was congenital by Benjamín Cohen, Martín Tenecela, Ximena Rozo, Laura Arena, Sarah McMillan, Michelle Zatta, Monica Trejo, Collin McMullan, Winnie Au, Casey Angelo, Linda Trimbath and Natalia Porter at The Gowanus Studio Infinite.

A large Thanks to everyone who helped with the planning an realization of this projection.

Special thanks to Elizabeth Foundation for The Arts Project Space, Flux Mill, Gowanus Studio Infinite, Gloat United mexican states Now, Queens Museum of Art, Mexican Cultural Plant, Erwin Stephan-Sotto at Xochimilco, Luis Porter at Universidad Autonoma de México - Xochimilco, Universidad de Campinas, Brazil.

A VERY SPECIAL THANK Yous to Benjamin Cohen and The Gowanus Studio Space.

Bibliography / Press:

Flushing Meadows welcomes the Aztecs. The New York Times, September 24th 2011

Ugly Duckling Presse Emergency Alphabetize 2011, Documenting Performance Anually. UDP, New York, 2011

For more info visit:
EFA Seaworthy
SeaWorthy

Untitled from Natalia Porter on Vimeo.

This project is dedicated to Luis Porter Galetar and Luis Bolland Carrere

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