A Lesson in Civics, 1994

I selected a classroom in Casa de la Cultura in Tijuana for my Insite ’94 project. I liked the idea of playing off the original and ongoing use of the building, and as my work was (and continues to be) focused on our relationships with other species, I decided to do an installation (A Lesson in Civics) that dealt with how we are taught to compartmentalize our feelings about animals—some are sweet, some are nasty, and some taste good. The art critic Dave Hickey dismissed my piece as elitist and tone deaf for exhibition in Mexico. I found that attitude to be patronizing. A discussion of an issue that involves all cultures would seem to me to be fair game anywhere.

—Jean Lowe

Curator: Lynda Forsha
Organizer: Installation Gallery
Venue: Casa de la Cultura Municipal, Tijuana