Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s been writing about Seminole Heights’ Tempus Projects a lot lately, but we couldn’t ignore this show because the title, well, is exactly what we do almost every day when we walk out the door. I’m not sure that the 13 regional and national artists tackling themes of identity, exclusion, discrimination, imposed limitations, and denial of body autonomy at this show are as nihilistic as we are right now, but we won’t be surprised when their collective works speaking to the patriarchal rules of being American shake us out of the existential stupor we’re in as this goes to print.
“My hybrid identity as a half-white half-LatinX person is one I feel I am beginning to fully understand,” Selina Roman told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay.
Roman will debut a new video projection, “Salt of the Earth (Selina en Las Salinas)” at the show. The video was shot early this month at the salinas (salt flats) in Cabo Rojo in southwest Puerto Rico where Roman’s father and family still live.
“I knew of the flats but never set foot in the area until earlier this month. The water was a wonderful pink hue from the organisms in the water. I've been doing research and the flats have been there since 700 AD when the indigenous Tainos utilized it,” Roman said.
The work she made in Puerto Rico is an extension of the abstracted self portraits of Roman’s body on display at “Skyway” within Tampa Museum of Art. “[It] is my rumination and reconciliation of my identity, the history of the island and the present.”
“As a projection, I hope that viewers are immersed in the video and take away a feeling of joy and calmness,” Roman added. “The salt flats are truly magical and being there, surrounded by pink water felt quite surreal.”
CL’s senior music correspondent Gabe Echazabal DJs Saturday’s opening reception (become a member to get in), and there’ll be a performance from Noisy Womxn. Get a membership and get in on the party.
Saturday, Oct. 30, 7 p.m. Tempus Projects, 4220 N Florida Ave., Tampa. tempus-projects.com
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