“Rooted Here, Plantado Allí”
Rooted Here, Plantado Allí deeply explores why we are intrinsically and psychologically tired to physical locations through culture, family, and longing even when we might not reside there. A poem which I wrote to describe this feeling is incorporated throughly within my designs and the language acts as a vehicle for the mediums, captured through video, poster series, and living installation.
THE ROOTED HERE EXHIBITION 2023
For my capstone project as a whole I felt like the most effective way to convey my main message of self identity, detachment, and unity was only possible through experimenting with different media.
Each avenue that I choose to explore is meant to pull the viewer in closer and closer to understanding my perspective until we are literally planted together.
“Perdidos y Encontrados” Video
(Lost & Found)
Acceptance is a long journey but coming to terms with who you are is worth it in the end. This video covers my poetic perspective of how I feel being mentally connected/disconnected to a foreign location yet finding peace in that in the heart of Newark.
Audio Credits: Men I Trust - Before Dawn
“Uprooted” Poster Series
Being uprooted from my homeland of the Dominican Republic when I was extremely young and then transplanted to the United States for the majority of my life had a profound effect on my sense of home and placement. This series visually depicts the duality between my younger and adult self as well as excerpts from my poetry.
Planted Installation Piece
We are all plants deeply clinging into the soil of our environment just trying to survive. Here, you can explore and appreciate input from a few students in my graphic design program on where they feel rooted, including myself, and other participants.
Our roots all differ but we are all planted here together.
“Ahi te plantaron, so this is all we knew.”
— Elida Abreu (Perdidos y Encontraros Poem)