Homeland, (2008), mixed media installation, 8'x5.5'x14' (Poklong Anading's work is in the foreground)



Homeland, (2008), mixed media installation, detail



Homeland, (2008), mixed media installation, detail



Homeland, (2008), mixed media installation, detail

Homeland, (2008), mixed media installation, detail


Homeland, (2008), mixed media installation, detail

Homeland, (2008), mixed media installation, detail



Homeland, (2008), mixed media installation, detail

Homeland, (2008), mixed media installation, detail

Homeland is part of:

Bay Area Now 5 Sideshow
Galleon Trade: Bay Area Now 5 Edition
Guest curated by Jenifer Wofford

Sep 4–Oct 19, 2008
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

Homeland, (2008), mixed media installation, 8'x5.5'x14'

Homeland reflects on the immigrant experience that carries with it so many mixed emotions and contradictions in the expectations and realities.

Homeland was initially inspired by my fascination with nationalism and "home" within the borders of a geographic location. These invisible boundaries were originally defined to protect and produce more wealth for the rich and powerful. Subsequently, nations were created, visual symbols were developed in the form of flags, and everyone within the restricted areas either became citizens who were led to believe that the forced unity was ultimately to their benefit, or became property to be consumed and/or traded through colonialism. Today the concept of nationalism has continued to be a polarizing force that serves the elite, yet it has also become more blurred through globalization.

Homeland, (2008), mixed media installation, detail

This blurring is what I focused on for the installation. I painted vertical stripes with the colors of the flags of the Philippines, United States, Manila, and California. I overlaid these rigid stripes with organic forms of quilling (a craft from the 18 th century that involves the rolling, scrolling and fluting of narrow strips of paper) and sequins pinned to the wall as a reference to stars or fireworks that are falling. At the base of the stripes are piles of sequins, suggesting the draining of glory.

Homeland, (2008), mixed media installation, detail

Photo Credit: Eliza Barrios