Geopolitical Embodiments: Border-Crossing, Border-Crossers and Performance

By deploying and developing the concepts of border-crossers and border-crossings, “Geopolitical Embodiments” aims to negotiate the notion of the border as a transitional site that must be perceived beyond abstraction in... [ view full abstract ]

By deploying and developing the concepts of border-crossers and border-crossings, “Geopolitical Embodiments” aims to negotiate the notion of the border as a transitional site that must be perceived beyond abstraction in its relation to the processes and experiences of border-crossings and border-crossers. While demonstrating the ways in which people participate in and negotiate bordered spaces, the aim of this presentation is to underline a transborder approach that expands the theoretical conversations and knowledge production about the processes of geopolitical embodiment that frame border-crossing and migrant subjectivities. The notion of geopolitical embodiment is used here as “spatial practice” comprised and maintained by the continual negotiation of border subjects. In addition, the “transborder” conceptual knowledge is applied as a paradigm of transcultural and intersectional relations that best characterizes lo fronterizo or la cultura fronteriza and the people who live their lives across borders or affected by them. This theoretical framework will be supported by analytical perspectives inspired by selected songs featured in Fuga’s LP Desde La Frontera and Yadira’s performance One Journey. I addition, analysis of two Mexican films with identical titles, Al otro lado/To The Other Side, will contribute to further support my argument and theorizations.