(dis)placemaking

2025

(dis)placemaking are a series of paper and light based works, recreating romero’s familial home in Venezuela from memory. Mirroring the nature of memory, the content is fragmented, flowing through text, images, and gaps in order to bring romero’s memory (and lack thereof) into an experiential space. The works take cues from book arts in both form and methodologies, using the traditional materials along with time-based elements to create an immersive “book”. The works use light to hide and reveal parts of the memories embedded in each fragment.

This work is in direct response to the growing violence against immigrant/diasporic communities, specifically highlighting Venezuelan refugees. (dis)placemaking, contextualizes diasporic longing as a symptom of displacement. To leave one’s home isn’t always a choice, but a necessity. (dis)placemaking focuses on the mourning of home, memory, and ancestral ties when forced to exist in the diaspora.

As part of this work, there was an activation of the large paper works. The activation, titled to trace an orchid, incorporates projection, audio, and light in order to create a “reading of the book”. This work guides the viewers through a collective reading of the images and texts embedded within the paper panels. Lights interplay with projection and audio to bring romero’s familial story into an experiential space. [please scroll down for documentation of the performance]

Thank you to Leesa Ortiz for the photographs and video.