W4 Peer Presentation: Margarita Cabrera "Uplift" planned sculpture in Texas

I was very moved by my peer's (Kaelyn Rodriguez) Chicana artist Margarita Cabrera and her work. Her repurposing of materials is wonderful but even more so is the particular sources of these materials that in itself hold a deep, philosophical message. The piece that moved me the most was her public art sculpture 

Uplift. This sculpture will be set up in the roundabout in Texas near the US/Mexico border and the Mexican city Juarez. This public art project invites all members of both communities,  in Texas and from Juarez, to participate and design their own birds. The fact that she reaches out to all and doesn't require experience is amazing to me. The various bird images will be cut out by hand form long sheets of metal and eventually will be joined together creating a swarm of birds taking flight-- symbolic of freedom. Cabrera's consciousness of materials is powerful, in this project the metal was derived from melted down confiscated firearms. This is meaningful in that it brings the two communities together to be hopeful despite the much violence that is characteristic of the city of Juarez. The project is cultural as well as she plays with the traditional Mexican art technique "papel picado."

I admire artists like Cabrera and others who create art with greater meaning that speaks to the community and engages thinking, reflection and inspiration on the grounds of current social issues. Her relevant use of materials and the process of giving others the gift and opportunity to make significant art for their own community. The process of those in the community making this art I feel is the most important piece of this public art project. Their engagement has been an experience for them and that is priceless.