September 5–22, 2019

Every migrant’s story is a beast all its own. Barbed wire to the touch, or marzipan tender. Wrought from brittle citizenship or building shelter in a place where the neighbors call them monster.

In Suspended Lives / Vidas Suspendidas, Latinx artists from across Philadelphia shed their favored mediums and reclaim the piñata as a common cultural construction. What emerges are life sized self portraits embodying Mexican iconography and kinetic self realization.

A companion piece to the FringeArts curated piece Cartography,  Vidas Suspendidas is an exploration of the immigrant narrative set in liminal space. A restoration of latinidad as not only a politically charged identity, but a mystic existence. Together, the Vidas Suspendidas artists dissect their common obstacles, and celebrate their individuality through sculpture and story.

Sculptures are located at the Fringe Festival Bookstore at Cherry Street Pier, at FringeArts, and at the Christ Church Neighborhood House. Use the QR codes which accompany the sculptures to visit the Suspended Lives / Vidas Suspendidas Digital Fringe project.

This project was created by Nora Hiriart Litz, director for art and culture at Puentes de Salud, a nonprofit that promotes the wellness of Philadelphia’s Latinx immigrant population through health, education, and community programs.

Listen to the artists behind the sculptures featured in Vidas Suspendidas / Suspended Lives share their personal immigration stories.

Learn more:
puentesdesalud.org

Cherry Street Pier
121 N. Columbus Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19106 United States + Google Map

FringeArts
140 N. Columbus Boulvard
Philadelphia, PA 19106 United States + Google Map

Christ Church Neighborhood House
20 N. American Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106 United States + Google Map