Veronica Sahagun (2011). Coyocan.

I am a Mexican visual artist living in Montreal. A few years ago, I took the decision to leave what is known and familiar to me- my home, my family and my community in Mexico- in order to pursue doctoral studies in art education in Canada. The life experiences that came with this change of location have influenced my choice of research interests. Perhaps the most salient of this is my ongoing doctoral research, which focuses on the reconstruction of my cultural identity through art practice. The (E) Motions project is one of the new directions that my research has moved towards. (E)Motions mixes qualitative research methods such as photovoice and collage (Butler-Kisber, 2010) with stop motion animation techniques in order to create visual metaphors of relationship to place.  In this case, the place is the Central Mexico region ( State of Mexico and Mexico City). 

The (E)Motions project responds to the following question: In what ways may the making of an animated collage help to communicate feelings of connection or alienation to or from a place? After having responded to this question at a personal level in my studio, this question will be taken to the educational arena by implementing community-based art activities. Anyone who has experienced cultural displacement will be welcome to participate.