BELONGING
Our need to belong is so profound that it influences our thoughts, emotions, and actions. It is intricately woven into our perceptions of our lives and our pursuit of life goals. The scientific fabric of our society and politics investigates belonging, correlating it to representation and well-being. By asking Santa Mónica residents to participate in an art survey, Belonging aimed to express truths of diversity, equity, and inclusion in what was once Indigenous, Mexican, Mexican American, and African American communities.
From April 1 to May 31, I collected over 273 resident responses to the question, "Do you feel you belong here in Santa Monica? How? When? Where? ¿Sientes que perteneces aquí en Santa Mónica? ¿Cómo? ¿Cuándo?¿Dónde?, " On October 26 from 10-2 PM, at Virginia Avenue Park in Santa Monica, CA, the project culminated with a four-channel audio installation. The audio features field recordings of Santa Mónica layered with beats composed and engineered in collaboration with Yovan Rodriguez. The City of Santa Mónica and Art of Recovery support this project.
Belonging is a multi-phase and multimedia temporary public art project in collaboration with LA Freewaves and the City of Santa Monica. Between April and May, I collected 273 responses on postcards and audio recordings capturing how residents experience Belonging in Santa Mónica, CA. The project involved a data specialist working with the University of Southern California to synthesize three reoccurring themes. Infographics were designed to visualize the themes. The project culminated with a 4-channel audio installation at Virginia Ave Park's amphitheater on October 26, 2024—the audio features field recordings of Santa Monica, audio-recorded responses, and rhythmic beats.
