On January 22, the Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies hosted a special event celebrating the preview of the “Necroarchivos de las Americas” catalogue. The event featured faculty members Dr. Adriana Miramontes Olivas, Dr. Gabriela Martínez, and Dr. Lynn Stephen, who shared their insights into the catalogue’s content. Key Takeaways from the Presentations:
- Dr. Adriana Miramontes Olivas:
- Presented an overview of the exhibition, featuring 17 artists responding to necropolitics in the Americas.
- Highlighted the importance of preserving historical memory and making structures of violence visible.
- Emphasized the need for continued documentation and research on violence and disappearances in Mexico and other parts of the world.
- Dr. Gabriela Martínez:
- Shared her experience filming a documentary about the archives in Guatemala.
- Discussed the importance of establishing trust with organizations and communities when conducting research.
- Emphasized the need for awareness about the complexities of violence and the importance of preserving historical memory.
- Dr. Lynn Stephen:
- Reflected on her research on social movements and the importance of reading crowds and bodies to ensure safety while documenting conflicts.
- Highlighted the need for continued documentation, research, and art-based initiatives to bring attention to issues of violence and disappearances.
- Emphasized the importance of using art and writing as a form of resistance and social change.
Panel Discussion: The event also included a panel discussion, where the speakers reflected on how they make structures of violence visible in their own work. They emphasized the importance of collaboration, community engagement, and using art as a tool for social change.
Conclusion: The event provided a thought-provoking exploration of the themes presented in the “Necroarchivos de las Americas” catalogue. The speakers’ presentations and the panel discussion highlighted the importance of continued documentation, research, and art-based initiatives to bring attention to issues of violence and disappearances.
About the Presenters
Adriana Miramontes Olivas
Curator of Academic Programs and Latin American & Caribbean Art
Dr. Adriana Miramontes Olivas is the Curator of Academic Programs and Latin American & Caribbean Art at University of Oregon’s Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art (JSMA). Her educational background includes, BA in Art from the University of Texas at El Paso, MA in Art History from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and a PhD in Art History at the University of Pittsburgh. Within her role as a curator at JSMA, she works on creating an engaging Latinx community on and off campus. Her work involves curating Latin American art, which is one of the largest and fastest growing art collections in the museum.
adriana1@uoregon.edu
Gabriela Martínez
Professor of Journalism and Communications
Professor Gabriela Martínez is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and scholar specializing in international communication and the political economy of communication. Her documentary work spans over 12 films, including “Ñakaj,” “Mamacoca,” and “Keep Your Eyes On Guatemala.” Martínez’s research focuses on media ownership, culture, and trans-nationalism, with a particular emphasis on Latin America. She is a professor in the School of Journalism and Communication at the University of Oregon and affiliated faculty with several programs, including Latin American Studies and Cinema Studies. Martínez is also the co-creator of the Latino Roots in Oregon Project and has served as director for the Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies.
gmartine@uoregon.edu
Lynn Stephen
Professor of Anthropology
stephenl@uoregon.edu