A Place to Pray/ Bats Without Borders: Agavaganza

A Place to Pray

Brionna Garcia

Nogales Border

November 11, 2018

The border which divides Mexico and the U.S. is an impediment in the unification and equality of people. This division also creates a blockade to the corridor of migrating species of animals as well as a disruption to many native species of plants. Borders create separation, a divide in sterility and non. I see this wall as an inhumane demonstration of bold racism. It’s hard to be from country that has such a negative impact on the rest of the world. And I can only imagine what it feels like on the other side of these effects.
  

I wonder how many people have come here to pray? I wonder if they wish for a magical power to overcome the wall. I would wish to turn into wind, so I could slip by invisibly, anonymously. I wonder how many children have looked into their mother’s eyes through these pillars constructed to conjure defeat, just hoping to dissolve this obstruction for one more bear hug. 


Bats Without Borders: Agaveganza

Brionna Garcia

Patagonia 

November 11, 2018
  

This is an agave paryyi patch perfectly pokey in the beautiful Sky Islands region in Patagonia, AZ. After living an estimated 12-year life cycle, they bloom sending a massive stalk ten feet in the air. Shortly thereafter the agave meet their maker. This is a critical nectar habitat for bats. Installing the border wall cleared out thousands of agave including the cause of native bat populations to plummet. 

  

Bats Without Borders: Agaveganza- an interactive art event reflecting on relationships between bats, borders, agave and humans. The Agaveganza was a hit! Xena and I turned dead agave plants into Lesser Long Nosed Bats for our sculptural installation. We intended to highlight the symbiotic relationship between bats (fuzzy wuzzy pollinators) and agave, their main sources of food after they roost.