Border Crossing Audio Guide

Against a stark white background are seven small clay vessels painted a dark, shiny black. They look like miniature plastic water bottles and are each slightly bent, making them appear like a gathering of people interacting.
Enjoy an audio companion to Border Crossing.

Enrich your experience of Border Crossing: Jami Porter Lara by hearing from the artist herself. Porter Lara discusses the trip that inspired the work, as well as her philosophy of making.

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Curator’s Introduction

Hear the curator introduce Jami Porter Lara’s striking sculptures.
Virginia Treanor, associate curator, National Museum of Women in the Arts

Hear from the Artist

“Two-liter bottle”

Hear how the U.S.-Mexico border inspired Porter Lara’s two-liter bottle shapes.
Artwork referenced: JMS-MHB-2LBR-0913CE-03, 2013, pit-fired clay; On loan from Kenji Kondo

“Container for ideas”

Hear Porter Lara reflect on vessels meant to hold ideas, rather than substances.
Artwork referenced: LDS-MHB-KABR-0316CE-01, 2016, pit-fired clay; On loan from the collection of Scott Allocco and Douglas Clark

“Ritual objects”

Hear Porter Lara discuss the mystery of non-functional vessels.
Artwork referenced: LDS-MHB-DBBR-0316CE-01, 2016, pit-fired clay; On loan from Gwyn Metz

“Rattles”

Hear Porter Lara shake a sculpture with a rattle inside.
Artwork referenced: Go On Now, 2016, pit-fired clay; courtesy Central Features Contemporary Art

“Six necks”

Hear Porter Lara explore ideas about hybridity and mutancy.
Artwork referenced: MHB-6SBR-0916CE-01, 2016, pit-fired clay; Museum purchase: Members’ Acquisition Fund

Making it Manifest

Hear how Porter Lara employed visual thinking to create her artist statement.
Artwork referenced: Making it Manifest, 2014; Reproduction of original drawing

“Piece of fruit”

Hear how Porter Lara emphasizes organic forms in some of her work.
Artwork referenced: LDS-MHB-LPBR-0416CE-01, 2016, pit-fired clay; On loan from Emilie Porter-Rand and Marc Basiliere

“Wedding vase”

Hear about the Pueblo pottery that inspired the shape of this work.
Artwork referenced: LDS-MHB-WVBR-0416CE-08, 2016, pit-fired clay; On loan from Debra Baxter