La Ruta, Magnum Foundation
La Ruta is a cross-disciplinary theater project and photographic installation about the experience of immigrants being smuggled over the border. Staged inside an actual semi-truck to immerse the audience in the harrowing experience of crossing the border illegally, La Ruta provides a rare opportunity for the NYC public to consider the sacrifices and risks involved in making such a journey.
A post-performance installation is intended to broaden the conversation from border crossings to the real experiences of undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. The installation features both Magnum photographers (Chien-Chi Chang, Paul Fusco, Susan Meiselas, Paolo Pellegrin,) and young, emerging documentary talent (Ruth Prieto and Mimi Schiffman), who have been mentored and supported through the Magnum Foundation Fellowship Program.
As production coordinator for the installation (2012), I worked with the La Ruta team to:
Coordinate logistics and timeline between the Magnum Foundation, Working Theater, installation designers, scenic shop and lighting designer to produce and construct the 8’x8’x8′ photo installation.
Work with printing lab to determine appropriate printing materials for outdoor installation; Collect and format image files from participating photographers to print.
Source all props and audio/visual elements needed for the installation.
Manage a team to deinstall and setup the photo installation each time it traveled to four New York City venues in five weeks. (UFT in the Bronx, The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in Manhattan, IBEW Local Union 3 in Queens and Snug Harbor Cultural Center in Staten Island)
photos © Ruth Prieto Arenas