Raven Garcia

 
 

Carrie Mae Weems “parades through the world,” looking at people and things very close. Frame a part of your body. Zoom in and notice the details of how that body part looks and moves. Create small movements with that body part that tells your story.

 

Carrie Mae Weems’ work often explores cultural identity. Write the story of your personal culture- where are you from and what are the cultures that make you you?

“What’s your culture?”

Honestly? I’m not all too sure… I have many labels I fall into. Many doors all connected to one large bright colorful room. But each time I look through these doors I see nothing but TV white snow and the faint sound of static. I don’t find myself connecting to anything or any one. I’m apart of all these cultures but none of them speak to me. I am apart of many things but also apart of nothing at all. I dissociate, detach from my environment, detach from my identity.

Family, ethnicity, location, education, friends, I’ve had many experiences that connect me with others. Yet it feels like all the strings have been cut that connects us. I am from Puerto Rico who was born in New York City yet it feels like I’m from nowhere at all. A blank white city with an unknown name in an unknown place that cannot be reached by anyone or anything. There are no cultures who make me, I make cultures. And they are just for myself. The customs, the arts, achievements and social groups are all just me.

And sometimes it's too quiet here…