Tanda

The Tanda program is a cohort program that aids individuals with their research and practice through self-directed and collective learning by way of gathering and sharing resources, conversations, and knowledge.

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Tanda Spring 2022 Application opens February 2022.

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Tanda Fall 2021 Cohort and Topics:

09/29 – Rasquachismo and the Underdog Mentality

“I was introduced to this term by some fellow graduate students who have a similar upbringing as mine. It was like discovering a key to explain our process when making art. Through collective learning I want to investigate this term deeply in order to contextualize it in a contemporary context.”  – Hugo Ivan Juarez

10/06 – Agenciamentos Olfativos / The Agency of Scent

“I am interested in the world of olfaction for many reasons. One is that our sense of smell has been historically devalued through the machinations of European-colonial thought guided by the “hierarchy of the senses.” Our sense of smell is one of two of our chemical senses and it allows us to communicate with land, other species, and each other. It also allows us to perceive subtle chemical shifts in our environment caused by, for example, rampant pollution and industrial extractivism. I’d like to delve into the sense of smell critically, while also providing moments of embodiment through our conversations by engaging in scent exercises.”  -agustine zegers

10/13 – Pre-colonial Indigenous Urban Planning and How to Imagine Indigenous Cities of the Future

“Ever since I was a kid I’ve been fascinated and inspired of Indigenous urban planning. I grew up visiting Mesa Verde and Chaco Canyon, Ancestral Puebloan cities that are masterpieces of sustainable, holistic urban planning. In college I studied the urban planning of Peru and saw many parallels in how people used science and spiritual practices to design spaces to accommodate many people and a variety of social activities in ways that worked with the local environment. I’ve always been frustrated that histories of “civilization” often erase Indigenous societies and cities. I wonder how elevating and studying Indigenous cities might inform how we can reimagine a post-colonial post-capitalist world.” -River Kerstetter

10/20 – Reconceptualizing the Madonna and Child through Archival Praxis

“As an archivist I’m interested in exploring black matriarchy through photography. Particularly through found images and research. I became interested in this work in response to my family losing one of our own matriarchs. Who are some  artists that I should be aware of, that dive into archives for their art practice and methodologies? Has there been recent discourse about the Moynihan report?  Are there any zines/books/exhibition catalogues I should consider reading as it relates to my topic? What does “care” look like when one is building an archive on a particular subject? What are the names of the scholars who have conducted psychological research on the impact of being the black matriarch/backbone of the family? How does one ethically/consciously produce work from found imagery?”  – Alkebuluan Merriweather

10/27 – Convictions of the Classics: On the Presence & Erasure of Black and Brown Bodies in Classic and Mesoamerican Art

“I’m interested in this subject because I want to connect more with my heritage. Being from the US there is a disconnect and distance to the subject and source. To be a part of something larger than myself. When I’m creating works inspired by the Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican cultures, I feel connected to the rich history of artists like Ruffino Tomayo, Diego Rivera, and Saturnino Herran.” -Marcelo Eli Sarmiento

11/03 – Neo Perreo: Challenging Misogyny and Homophobia in Reggaeton Culture

“The aim of this research topic is to create a vernacular around the neo perreo subculture that has emerged in the night-life scenes of cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, Mexico City, and Buenos Aires. Empowering queer fem artists, this genre of music empowers those who were often degraded or overlooked in traditional reggaeton culture. Spearheaded by artists such as Ms. Nina, Tomasa del Real, and Sailor Fag, this cultural safe-haven creates a music and visual culture that prioritizes marginalized groups in Latinx, and Latinx American music scene. How do these artists use visual language to empower themselves, their peers, and their listeners? How can this music be applied to visual arts, mainstream media, and a global platform? Does this sub-genre function as a form of reclamation, and if so what is it reclaiming and how is it regenerating it’s own narrative to stray away from the traditional Reggaeton culture whose roots run deep in many aspects of Latin American culture?” – Juan Arango Palacios

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Past Tandas: