La Chingada

    To talk about Mexico is to talk about Chingar (Fuck). This word appeared during the colonization of Mexico by Spain and refers to the rape and exploitation of the indigenous people of Mexico. Since then, it has become a word that defines Mexico’s past, present, and future. Through the use of the word Chingar, now a word with numerous meanings and the most used verb in Mexico, I explore Mexico’s history in relation to current relevant issues such as poverty, violence, and corruption.
     Chingada Madre (Raped Mother) refers symbolically to the Mothers of all Mexicans, the indigenous women abused and raped by the Spanish Conquistadors. This interactive piece consisting of magnetized photographs allows the viewer to create their own orgy using historical characters where the only possible loser is always Mexico.
     Hijos de la Chingada (Sons of a Bitch) are the daughters and sons of Chingada Madre who, since the conquest of what is now Mexico, have been marginalized, abused, and exploited by foreign powers–their own government in particular. This installation exists as scattered photographs on the gallery floor. It forces the viewer to become part of the Mexican Government and various foreign powers and literally step on the faces (photographs) of the Hijos de la Chingada.
     Nos cargó la Chingada (We are Fucked) is a phrase used when a person is frantic or stressed by a certain situation. Over 100,000 people have died in Mexico due to the “War on Drugs”. Money + Drugs = Bloodshed. This double-sided piece of a man hanging from a noose soaked in money, drugs, and my own blood shows the cruelty of how people are being eradicated in Mexico.
     Vete a la Chingada (Go to Hell), a common Mexican expression, refers to the place that every Mexican has been told to go to when they have been screwed over. These large-scale photographs explore the mythological, unknown and remote place, vague and imprecise, where everything is destroyed or broken. They create a hellish environment for the viewer.
     La Chingada is a metaphor to denounce and raise awareness of contemporary Mexican issues and give voice to the marginalized people of the country.