Murals, Water, and Ritual: Investigating practices of resistance

• In Event: Ecology of Black Life and Resistance

Description for Program

This paper explores how murals and altars are used in educational spaces (schools, colleges, universities) to create spaces of belonging and inclusion for Black, Latinx and students of color. Using the an elementary school BLM mural, the Assata Shakur Mural at Marquette, and the Day of the Dead celebration and the one woman show "Cruzando Ensueños" at SUNY Oneonta as case studies, this paper considers how students co-create and are asked to participate in art rituals that challenge white supremacy on predominately white institutions. The process of collaboration and ritual performance are important to these art pieces as well as water. Water is used to paint the murals and as an offering on the altars necessary for the day of the dead celebration and in the show. "Murals, Water, and Ritual" explores how water is used to facilitate the creative process of resistance through art.

Author

• Maria P Chaves Daza, SUNY Oneonta