A photograph or our, Dean, in Adrienne and Butch’s front “yard” in Terlingua, Texas.
Archive for the ‘border wall’ Category
Border Wall Music: “Borderless Love”
Friday, January 15th, 2010Marfa: Modernist Art, Detention Centers, and the Erasure of Detention History
Wednesday, January 13th, 2010
Chinati Art Museum Building in Marfa, Texas, formerly part of a WWII prison camp. Photography by Margaret E. Dorsey
On a recent trip to Marfa, Texas we took a tour of the Chinati Foundation’s permanent exhibit of Donald Judd’s untitled works in milled aluminum. Judd installed the project in 1978-1979 in what has been called, depending on the source, artillery sheds, airplane hangars, and what our tour guide termed work centers for “Germans.” We later learned that the facility housed German soldiers captured during World War II. We see Judd’s artistic vision was modernist (indeed minimalist) at a couple of levels. First, the permanent installation of milled aluminum pieces and concrete structures do engage universal notions of finding order and symmetry in life and art. Second, the artistic vision derives from an avante-garde notion of the artist and his work standing beyond history, even though inspired by his own artistic impulses.
Indeed, Judd’s motivation was to create permanence in art, and his need to create a “unified aesthetic entity of works and space,” that would be in a place in perpetuity, determined his vision (see http://www.chinati.org/pdf/making2works.pdf). The milled aluminum structures are impressive. The precision of the cubes shatters the roughness of the shed yet seem to frame the landscape through their optical variance.
Judd Untitled Work in Milled Aluminum, photograph by Miguel Diaz-Barriga
The facility where Judd's milled aluminum pieces are exhibited, photography by Margaret Dorsey.
Our tour of the grounds was both enlightening and frustrating, particularly the elision of the heavy militarization of the Marfa area historically and the site of Judd’s work more specifically. Clearly , the vision of Donald Judd and the Chinati Foundation is not to engage the context of the art in a town, Marfa, and a site, Camp Marfa later Fort D.A. Russell whose primary role was military. In the early twentieth century, Camp Marfa housed a cavalry batallion to guard against the “spread” of the Mexican Revolution into Texas. Later it housed chemical batallions, Women Army Corps, and an army airbase. During WWII, the facility was a large prisoner of war camp for captured Germans.
Modernist art is indeed known for flattening–and even erasing–history. We do not think Judd’s art itself needs to take this history into account. However, during the tours of the facility, in order to fully appreciate the impact of Judd’s work on the landscape and buildings, this history should be taken into fuller account. Indeed, when entering the facility one has to pass a border patrol station and throughout Marfa buses from Wackenhut are evident. (Wackenhut is the bus company that DHS contracted to transport undocumented immigrants to detention centers.) We even had coffee in Marfa with a truck driver transporting pylons for border wall construction. The history of detention in Marfa continues. We can appreciate Judd’s work and understand the history of detaining and transporting “enemy aliens” in West Texas.
Wackenhut bus parked in Marfa. These buses transport undocumented immigrants to detention centers, photograph by Miguel Diaz-Barriga.
Will these be the type of gates constructed for the border wall in the Rio Grande Valley?
Friday, January 8th, 2010Residents of the Rio Grande Valley still do not have any idea what type of gates DHS will install in the numerous gaps in the wall in Hidalgo and Cameron counties. On a recent trip to Del Rio we encountered the following gate and lock systems on their border fence. Will this be the type of gate and lock structure that the Valley will get?
The lock system at a gate on the border wall in Del Rio, Texas.
A number of gates were located along the wall near the international crossing with Mexico.
The Border Wall in Del Rio.
Borderwall Art: Scott Nicol
Sunday, January 3rd, 2010Scott Nicol, a Professor of Art at South Texas College and a founder of the No Border Wall group (http://notexasborderwall.com/) , is one of the most knowledgeable critics of the border wall. We (Miguel and Scott) recently went to photograph the border wall near the town of Progreso Lakes, a tiny town of roughly 250 that surrounds two small lakes. The town is located near the Progreso Bridge. Behind the border wall, on the southern side, are conservation areas managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. We passed through one of the gaps in the wall to take pictures of the area. We were almost immediately approached by border patrol agents who asked what we were doing in the area. Indeed, it is ambiguous whether or not we were permitted to be on the south side of the wall even though we are technically still on U.S. soil. While the border patrol agents were professional, asking why we were taking photographs, etc., the ambiguity of access to the southern side of the wall was disconcerting. (On a side note: Margaret and Miguel have been stopped from crossing through gaps because, border patrol agents told us, we were entering private property. We only put up a mild argument that we were on county roads.)
Scott Nicol took the following photographs of the wall at Progreso Lakes.
Border Patrol Observes Scott Nicol and Miguel Diaz-Barriga
The Border Wall at Progreso Lakes is a combination concrete and metal pylon structure.
When we drove further back into the conservation area we came across an inner-tube that was tangled in a tree. Scott has used inner-tubes in some of his art/activist pieces. I shot the following photograph of Scott taking down the inner-tube.
Scott has incorporated found materials into his more activist based art on the border wall and immigration.
In one of Scott Nicol’s more activist works he used an inner-tube that he found along the Rio Grande River, apparently used by an undocumented immigrant to come into the United States, to comment on U.S. border policy. Scott was kind enough to provide a photograph of this piece which has been displayed at a Brownsville art gallery.
GAPS!
Monday, November 16th, 2009
A sign for a hiking trail points straight at the border wall.
There are still many gaps in the fence that are in need of gates and in some places it is not clear if the gaps will become gates, and if so what kind of gates. For example, the Hidalgo Pump House, a World Birding Center, has a gap in the wall where naturalists can enter the trails that lead to the Rio Grande River. A border patrol vehicle usually patrols right at this gap. During a number of visit to the Hidalgo Pump House we have yet to see anyone access these trails. Indeed, for many the idea of approaching a border patrol agent to seek permission to hike on nature trails on the south side of the Wall is daunting. It is not clear if the Birding Center will get a gate or will border patrol check the nationality of anyone bird watching on the South side of the Wall.
The border wall at Brownsville Texas.
Near Brownsville the Loop family owns a home that will now be on the south side of the Wall. DHS has yet to full inform the family on what type of gate will be put in place to allow the family to access their land. The gaps normally measure about ten feet. Unless the gate is not mechanized, it will be too heavy for many to open. The story can be found at: http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/articles/moves-104925-border-orchard.html#slComments
During a recent trip to the Wall we drove down to a number of gaps along clearly marked county roads. The gaps are now a favorite place for border patrol agents to patrol. We were stopped and told that we could not proceed because south of the Wall was private property. Our protests that we were on a public road were not heard so we had to turn back.
It is amazing that so little planning has gone into the construction of gates. Without the gates, and only the gaps, the Wall does seem like a fiasco. However, the end result might be to force landowners to give up claims on their properties south of the Wall. Indeed, naturalists are now not able to access Sabal Palm Audobon Center. Is it only a matter of time that the birding trails at the Hidalgo Pump House will officially become closed.
Why are we not talking about citizenship?
Thursday, November 5th, 2009An editorial about border security, published by the New York Times on September 21, 2009, emphasizes the high cost of the border wall and the lack of ways to evaluate its effectiveness. The editorial rightly calls for broader immigration reform. In a reply that we wrote to the editorial, that was not published, we noted that there is a higher price that should be emphasized—the denial of citizenship.? We include our response and the original editorial below.Any comments?
Border Fantasies rightly criticizes the cost of building the border wall and lack of oversight. As anthropologists studying border wall construction, citizens of South Texas shocked us when they explained that the United States government ignored over 30 laws to expedite construction, ranging from environmental laws to historic preservation laws. Our research demonstrates that these waivers severely limit the ability of local citizens, landowners and politicians–including border city mayors–to challenge fence construction. For many Texans, DHS??s circumvention of established laws created an atmosphere of distrust and extreme frustration. In effect, Congress and DHS stripped Texans of their legal rights. Congress needs to look at the costs associated with the border wall, both fiscally and as an affront to our democracy.”
BORDER FANTASIES
Members of Congress who voted for the Southwest border fence as the fix for illegal immigration professed shock? shock at the news that the project is running years behind, and billions of dollars ahead, of the Bush administrations early, rosy projections.
Auditors reported last week that the high-tech, 28-mile virtual section of the fence was running a mere seven years behind this months planned opening. Initially, designers talked of using off-the-shelf technology for the radar, cameras and other sensors, but problems cropped up. (Imagine, discovering that cameras tremble in rough weather.) I am trying to figure out why this is so difficult, said Representative Michael McCaul of Texas. ??These are basically cameras on a pole.??
The current cost estimate for the Buck Rogers barrier? $1.1 billion.
Investigators from the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office report that the larger, actual fence covering a 600 mile-plus stretch between San Diego and Brownsville, Tex. cost $2.4 billion to build and will cost an extra $6.5 billion in upkeep across two decades.
Investigators also concluded that theres no good way of gauging the effectiveness of the fence.
The current decline in border arrests could be because of the bad economy as much as the fence (which the innovative have already learned to breach with cutters, torches and ladders). Even then, the fence covers only the more manageable third of the border with Mexico.
Members of the House border security subcommittee voiced grave concern but did not peer much beyond fencing technology to the more complex reality: the need for Congress to reform the nations immigration laws. No fence can keep a determined immigrant out or absolve Congress of that responsibility.
Brownsville, Texas, the Border Wall and Public Meeting Tonight
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009While almost all border wall construction has been completed in Hidalgo County, DHS has not completed its work in Cameron County where Brownsville and University of Texas-Brownsville are located. Brownsville’s Mayor Ahumada sent out a press release about tonight’s meeting stating:
“This is to inform all interested parties opposing the Border Wall to make note of a proposed agreement between the City of Brownsville and DHS (Department of Home Land Security) which, has been posted on the city agenda for consideration and action on June 2, 2009. The city meeting will take place at City Hall on the second floor, at 6:00 p.m., located at 1001 East Elizabeth Street, which is at the corner of East 10thStreet and Elizabeth Street.”
The people of Cameron County continue to fight construction of the border wall. ?On our tour of various border wall construction sites, it seems that challenging DHS does bear fruit. While communities who challenge DHS have not completely stopped the wall’s construction what they have been able to do is make a place for themselves at DHS’s table and make their voices heard by DHS. ?In other words, at this point, it appears that the struggles open dialogue with DHS for negotiating a compromise. We visited UT-Brownsville’s campus this weekend and viewed the border wall. Here’s what it looks like.
That’s the border wall on UT-B’s campus. ?We took the photo from the southside of the wall looking north onto the university’s baseball stadium. ?UT-B’s beautiful and growing campus merges with a delightful park near the border called “Lincoln Park.” ?Community activists are working hard to keep DHS from building the wall on this park. ?Below are some photos from the park.
The park has picnic areas with bbq pits, walking trails, little league fields, slides and swings for small children to play and basketball courts.?
We found strolling through UT-B’s campus and playing at this park to make for a wonderful family outing. UT-B’s campus is gorgeous, with a canal and resacas cutting through the campus.
While crossing the bridge, we saw an array of tropical birds in their habitat. Margaret loved seeing a pair of parrots flying in and out of their home in a dead palm tree. We also sighted a variety of herons and ducks. Our daughter Liz thoroughly enjoyed watching the ducklings waddle and swim alongside their parents.
The university is in the process of building and upgrading pedestrian paths. The campus reminded Miguel of Stanford in places and Margaret of Indiana University. Both universities also have large green spaces to walk through where you fell like you are out in the country. In Bloomington, for instance, IU’s campus fells like a forest. We found it surprising that DHS built the wall north of the university’s golf course. It looks like in the future, one might be required to pass through a border patrol access point to golf. Here’s a photo of the golf course.
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The photo below is taken near where it looks like DHS might build a gate so that students can golf. The next photo is taken on the levee one crosses to reach the golf course. We took the photo near the possible point of entry. Notice DHS’s lights in the background.
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Border Wall at Hidalgo Pumphouse and World Birding Center, Sunday 24 May 2009
Wednesday, May 27th, 2009Last week we interviewed elected officials who hold office around Hidalgo County about the combined border wall–levee structure that passes through the majority of the county. ?One construction site that has been a focal point for this study is the Hidalgo Pumphouse and World Birding Center in the town of Hidalgo. ?The renovation of the Pumphouse and the creation of a world birding center are part of larger project undertaken in Hidalgo to transform the area, making it more attractive for tourists and residents alike. ? The border wall project bisects the pumphouse/world birding center, so in our conversations with elected officials we were keen to learn about their interaction with DHS during the construction process. We learned that DHS was responsive to the concerns of elected leaders. ?For instance, they agreed to include a large gate in the wall at the pumphouse-birding center so that people would still be able to traverse their hike and bike trails. ?From what we understand, there will be a border patrol gaurd at the gate, but s/he will be under orders not to ask for papers when individuals cross through the gated area. ? ?The gate will be closed when the center does at the end of the day. ?We also learned that the visitors will not be able to see the border wall from the north side of the property. DHS will build ground up around it so that it looks like a green hill–or something that looks as though it came from mother nature. ?The view from the south side, however, will not be scenic or blend into the surrounding landscape.
Margaret wants to shift the tone of this blog to a more personal level. ?On our trip on Sunday, we ran across a couple of border patrol agents walking along the property. ?They were young and polite (unlike agents we ran across at other places along the border wall that we visited on Sunday) and armed. ?Margaret still finds it shocking to be walking around a birding center with her two young children and see heavily armed men, or –for that matter–in a Subway buying a sandwich and see another two heavily armed men ordering sandwiches. ?Margaret sees the pistols and bullet proof vests and becomes nervous. These armed men are not police. It is not their job to protect her from criminals. ?Their job is immigration. ? Why do they need to be wearing pistols in public places? ?It’s one thing for an agent to be out in the bush by him/herself but driving around in towns in SUV’s and buying sandwiches–are the arms necessary in such places?
Below we include some photos from the pumphouse of the wall and where we think that the gate might be located.
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Old pipes that would have been used to transport the pumped water from the Rio Grande (this canal was the Rio Grande until a hurricane in 1933 re-routed the river) to other parts of Hidalgo County.
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Hidalgo Pumphouse (Updated)
Friday, March 13th, 2009New Post on Pumphouse March 2009
We wanted to add some more recent photos from the construction on the Pumphouse property as well as add more dimension to our previous post on the Pumphouse. As discussed in the earlier post on the Pumphouse, the site itself is a significant marker of the history of the region. If one visits the Pumphouse today, as we did last month or last week, one misses an element of the story. That element relates to labor and the treatment of Mexicanos in the United States. Hidalgo, the town where the Pumphouse is located, was also a port of entry for laborers.
Go to?http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthemove/collection/object_441.html?for a highly significant photograph of Bracero workers being fumigated at site not far from the Pumphouse from the Smithsonian Collection.
(Thank you Dr. Spener for bringing this photograph to my attention.)
More Photos
Below are a few photos that we took at the Pumphouse during the first week of March.
The photo below is an update of the photo from the original post photographs. ?Recall the photograph of the Winter Texans beside the wall at approximately 18 feet in height. ?That wall segment is the short segment in the far right of the photo below.
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Hidalgo Pumphouse
Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009?
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Hidalgo Pumphouse
On Sunday 18 January 2009, Miguel, Margaret and family toured the Hidalgo Irrigation Pumphouse—or more simply put The Pumphouse—a historic site located across the Rio Grande River from Reynosa, Mexico.
Control of water is a centerpiece of borderlands history, and understanding water rights and control of those rights lends insight into the transformation and priorities of the region??s inhabits.? For example, when the lower Rio Grande Valley was primarily based on a ranching economy, the Mexican and Spanish government gave certain settlers long and narrow tracts of land with access to the River so that the cattle had a place to water.?? For Midwestern and Southern farmers who moved to the region around the turn of the 20th century, moving water from the River to their crops became crucial to the success of their farming operation.? Today, you can find approximately 500 miles of canals throughout Hidalgo County.
The Pumphouse, then, built in 1909 stands as a testament to the modernization of Hidalgo County and the shift toward a farming-based economy. The water pumps from The Pumphouse distributed over 300,000 gallons of water per minute across the County, starting in 1909.? In 1983 officials closed The Hidalgo Pumphouse and opened another pumphouse operated by electricity. For the past twenty years, citizens worked to transform The Pumphouse into a museum and birding center and not let it waste away into an eyesore. These efforts bore fruit.
In January, we arrived at a beautiful structure carefully maintained by staff that was surrounding by a lush and blooming green space meant to attract birds and butterflies. We enjoyed sitting underneath the gazebo and watching Zebra and Queen butterflies flutter around us.
Toward the end of our guided tour of The Pumphouse, we were taken outside to view a water canal that also served as habitat for migrating ducks. As the ducks quacked in the distance, we turned to look south and about 100 yards away stood the 18 foot high border wall (or combined levee structure or modified levee). Our tour group primarily consisted of Winter Texans. About eight of them walked over to various portions of the wall and took photos. I visited with a couple from the State of New York who has been living here every winter for the past eight years. They expressed disgust at the wall and said that they never thought that they (our government) would actually build the wall. When our tour guide was asked about the wall, she explained that the wall is half a mile north of the Rio Grande, all land that The Pumphouse owns. She continued explaining that they had bike trails in that area that have been bisected by the wall. They dont know how people will gain access to that portion of Pumphouse property. Since their fairly new bike trail has been bisected, they do not plan on re-opening it, but have more modest goals of opening a walking trail to the public?even though DHS has not told them where their will be openings in the wall. The tour guided expressed dismay when she pointed to what remained of the biking trail?a much less scenic pathway cut by roadways. We ran into a Canadian bicycler (flag mounted on his handlebars) while on our tour, and he was rather disappointed by this lack of access.
Below you will find photos of The Pumphouse and the border wall/modified levee structure that stands within easy view and walking from The Pumphouse. It seems as though water control, once again, is playing a crucial role in the history of the region, defining the perameters of the 18 foot high border wall/modified levee structure that vehicles will be able to drive on top.
Pumphouse Entrance
Historic Marker Outside Pumphouse
Lizzie Under Gazebo in Butterfly Park
Wall Construction in the Background
Tourist Taking Photo of Construction
A Final View of the Wall from The Pumphouse
