Workplace: Justin Favela
June 21–July 20, 2024
The Workplace exhibition highlights the nuances of labor, industrial production, and creative skills involved within factory settings like Kohler Co. In this context, artist Justin Favela’s residency in this hybrid gallery/studio space explores levity, collaboration, and recognition.
Favela, an alumnus of the Arts Center’s Arts/Industry residency at the Kohler Co. factory, provides drop-in opportunities to contribute to a large-scale installation. Working in his distinctive piñata style, Favela is collaborating with the community to construct mobile sculptures resembling nachos made of tissue paper.
Gallery visitors can craft larger-than-life tomatoes, cheese, jalapeños, chips, and more using cartonería techniques. Cartonería is a traditional Mexican technique of building structures with papier-mâché. The ease of the technique makes it ripe for conversational moments.
Nachos are a powerful symbol rooted in the narrative of a food born on the border. It is a trait that mirrors Favela’s own complex identity. Although a popular culinary delight, nachos represent an American enthusiasm for assimilation, commodification, and excess. By focusing on the history of the food and the industries involved in making the ingredients, Favela prompts consideration and conversation of cultural icons and their potential to perpetuate both joy and harm.
Workplace is supported by the Kohler Trust for Arts and Education, the Mellon Foundation, Ruth Foundation for the Arts, the Frederic Cornell Kohler Charitable Trust, Kohler Foundation, Inc., Acuity, and the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.
