Mujeres de Juarez

January 7, 2010 by lindavallejo

In 2009, I produced two images for the National Museum of Mexican Art Mujeres de Juarez Exhibition: “Cortesana” and “Amor.” These images were created in response to an open by the museum for works that discussed the horrible rash of deaths to working class girls and women in the city of Juarez. Hundreds of women have been brutally murdered as they walk to work.
I asked myself several questions:
Could media be playing a part in how the perpetrators of these crimes see themselves? Is it possible that media has a place in this grisly story of pain and loss? 
Could media be coercing men into believing that these atrocious acts of male dominance and violence are expected from them? Can media – movies and movie posters – affect the way that men understand their relationship and responsibilities to women and family? 
 
It came to mind that Mexican movies and movie posters often depict the salacious, wonton woman being seduced, or sexually used and abused by the dashing, dominant male. The man watches intently as the woman displays her body, inviting him to pleasure. But the Women of Juarez are not movie stars and they did not invite “men to pleasure.” They are young working women that were taken hostage, raped, and killed for perverse and angry pleasure. 
 
In these gruesome acts of violence, men have chosen to dominate, abuse, and kill hundreds of women. Over 500 violent deaths are proof that women are seen as nothing more than sexual victims and a way for men to experience a fantasy of seduction and aggression. Have the men of Juarez lost respect for women, mothers and daughters? 
 
In “Cortesana” and “Amor” I have manipulated two Mexican movie posters, adding pictures of the victims, families and protestors, to draw attention to the over-sexualized imagery of Mexican media, the loss of dignity for women, the manipulative nature of seduction, and the aggression and hatred inherent in rape.
 
Even the movie title of “Cortesana,” is not a subtle reminder that the fantasy of a women that serves and services a man is still alive and prominent, not only in Mexican movies but in international film as well. I entitled the second piece “Amor” to make a pointed remark about the contrast between love (amor) and abuse in all of its subtle and not so subtle forms.
 
When exhibited “Cortesana” and “Amor” are placed on a manufactured white display shelf indicative of the silence of international media having “shelved” this important issue. This shelf is also reminiscent of classical casket designs and the silence of the headstones on the graves of the victims.  
 
My heart goes out to the Women of Juarez, their mothers and families for their losses, and my prayers go out to the men who have perpetrated these terrible crimes. 
 
IMAGE DETAILS
 
1.       Cortesana, 2009; Mexican movie poster collage using manipulated photographs, acrylic, Mylar, and whiteout ; 20” x 16”
 
2.       Amor, 2009; Mexican movie poster collage using manipulated photographs, acrylic, Mylar, and whiteout ; 12” x 18”
 
National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago:  Mujeres de Juarez (Women of Juarez) Exhibition 2009-2010