Frontera presents works by the artist Teresa Margolles that reflect on the implications of the drugs war on Mexican society, but which also tackle a more general tabooing of death and violence.

With reduced, yet drastic means, Margolles creates pieces of the utmost urgency. At first glance her work seems minimalist in form, yet on closer inspection it reveals deep emotion and drama.

The large painterly work Frontera on the outer façade of the Kunsthalle Fridericianum envelops the entire building. 40 lengths of cloth dipped in soil and bodily fluids make the Fridericianum ‘bleed’ when subjected to weather influences.

Margolles also shows relics of victims of criminal violence, presenting glass display cabinets with jewellery of shot police officers, government officials, passers-by and tourists.

In her video work, she documents places with no future in a disturbing way. Her new works add the theme of hopelessness in Mexican towns bordering the USA to the exhibition.

Published on the occasion of the exhibition Frontera at Kunsthalle Fridericianum, Kassel, December 2010 – February 2011.

English, German and Italian text.