On the surface, a simple suitcase may not seem to have much artistic potential. But what might that suitcase mean to someone migrating from his home to a foreign land?
Those questions are a part of "Maletas Migrantes," an exhibition opening Thursday at the New Americans Museum in Liberty Station. The English translation is "migrant suitcases." Fifty contemporary artists contributed to the show.
Claudia de la Garza, co-curator of “Maletas Migrantes,” said organizers chose the suitcase because of what it represents.
"We can be different, but we all need something when you travel," de la Garza said. "It reflects so much. What are you facing, what are you expecting from your displacement?"
De la Garza told KPBS Midday Edition on Tuesday that each artist was given a box as a starting point for his or her art piece.
“They are this small unit, and its artist was free to intervene however they wanted to express how they feel and what they think of migration,” she said.
Linda Caballero Sotelo, executive director of the New Americans Museum, said the exhibit allows the audience to explore the contributions made by immigrants while enjoying the aesthetics of each piece.
The exhibit is open from Thursday through Oct. 2. The New Americans Museum is at 2825 Dewey Road.
