12th SITE SANTA FE International: Once Within a Time
Once Within a Time takes its title from the most recent film by Godfrey Reggio, the legendary experimental filmmaker who has long resided in Santa Fe. Reggio鈥檚 Once Within a Time (2022) intertwines fairytale atmospheres with apocalyptic landscapes, pursuing a form of storytelling that blends the fantastical and the mundane in a moving portrait of the existential condition. Inspired by the film鈥檚 circular narratives, the 12th International places storytelling at its heart, exploring New Mexico鈥檚 multilayered histories through the lens of more than ninety participants.
The exhibition revolves around a vibrant collection of over twenty characters鈥攐r figures of interest鈥攚ith close ties to the Southwest. This diverse cast encompasses local heroes, mythical beings, unassuming residents, reclusive artists, distinctive writers, and charismatic healers. The biographies of these people鈥攊ncarnated in a collection of artifacts, documents, images, and objects鈥攆unction as catalysts for over seventy local, national, and international artists. Many of the featured artists have created new work that responds, directly or indirectly, to the experiences and lore of these figures. The commissions are shown here alongside contemporary works from around the world, offering insights into the region鈥檚 rich history and its artistic and literary heritage.
In a first, this iteration of the International extends beyond SITE Santa Fe to more than a dozen locations across the city. These partner venues comprise cultural institutions such as museums and landmarks, as well as spaces in a public park, a former foundry, an empty storefront, the lounge of a cannabis shop, a toy store, and more. These varied locations set the tone for novel dialogues between figures, artists, and places, prompting visitors to explore different corners of Santa Fe.
Conceived as a vast family album, Once Within a Time centers people鈥攕pecifically, those who have inhabited, traversed, or left their mark upon the Santa Fe region across the centuries. Transcending a singular theme or narrative, the 12th SITE SANTA FE International manifests as a symphony of voices, engaging with the city of Santa Fe and its myriad identities and tales.
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Once Within a Time takes its title from the most recent film by Godfrey Reggio, the legendary experimental filmmaker who has long resided in Santa Fe. Reggio鈥檚 Once Within a Time (2022) intertwines fairytale atmospheres with apocalyptic landscapes, pursuing a form of storytelling that blends the fantastical and the mundane in a moving portrait of the existential condition. Inspired by the film鈥檚 circular narratives, the 12th International places storytelling at its heart, exploring New Mexico鈥檚 multilayered histories through the lens of more than ninety participants.
The exhibition revolves around a vibrant collection of over twenty characters鈥攐r figures of interest鈥攚ith close ties to the Southwest. This diverse cast encompasses local heroes, mythical beings, unassuming residents, reclusive artists, distinctive writers, and charismatic healers. The biographies of these people鈥攊ncarnated in a collection of artifacts, documents, images, and objects鈥攆unction as catalysts for over seventy local, national, and international artists. Many of the featured artists have created new work that responds, directly or indirectly, to the experiences and lore of these figures. The commissions are shown here alongside contemporary works from around the world, offering insights into the region鈥檚 rich history and its artistic and literary heritage.
In a first, this iteration of the International extends beyond SITE Santa Fe to more than a dozen locations across the city. These partner venues comprise cultural institutions such as museums and landmarks, as well as spaces in a public park, a former foundry, an empty storefront, the lounge of a cannabis shop, a toy store, and more. These varied locations set the tone for novel dialogues between figures, artists, and places, prompting visitors to explore different corners of Santa Fe.
Conceived as a vast family album, Once Within a Time centers people鈥攕pecifically, those who have inhabited, traversed, or left their mark upon the Santa Fe region across the centuries. Transcending a singular theme or narrative, the 12th SITE SANTA FE International manifests as a symphony of voices, engaging with the city of Santa Fe and its myriad identities and tales.
Artists on show
- Agnes Pelton
- Agnes Scherer
- Alfonso Roybal
- Ali Cherri
- Amol K. Patil
- Ana Vaz
- Autumn Chacon
- Candice Lin
- Charisse Pearlina Weston
- Chester Nez
- Cormac Mccarthy
- Cristina Flores Pescorán
- D. H. Lawrence
- Daisy Quezada Ureña
- David Horvitz
- Diego Marcon
- Diego Medina
- Dionne Lee
- Dominique Knowles
- Donald Beauregard
- Eliot Porter
- Emmi Whitehorse
- Florence Pierce
- Frederick Hammersley
- Gabrielle Hill
- Gisèle Vienne
- Godfrey Reggio
- Greg Mac Gregor
- Guillermo Galindo
- Heechan Kim
- Helen Cordero
- Hira Nabi
- Joanna Keane Lopez
- John McCracken
- Joseph Yoakum
- Karla Knight
- Katja Seib
- Korakrit Arunanondchai
- La Malinche
- Louise Bonnet
- Louise Lawler
- Luis Tapia
- Maja Ruznic
- Marilou Schultz
- Maryam Hoseini
- Maureen Gruben
- Max Hooper Schneider
- Merina Lujan
- Minerva Cuevas
- Mire Lee
- Na Mira
- Natachee Scott Momaday
- Nora Naranjo-Morse
- Nora Turato
- Norman Zammitt
- Omari Douglin
- Pablita Velarde
- Patricia Ayres
- Penny Siopis
- Raven Halfmoon
- Rebecca Salsbury James
- Santiago De Paoli
- Saodat Ismailova
- Sidsel Meineche Hansen
- Simone Leigh
- Sky Hopinka
- Terran J. Last Gun
- Uman
- Vladimir Nabokov
- Wael Shawky
- WangShui
- Will Rawls
- Willa Cather
- William Wilson
- Ximena Garrido-Lecca
- Zhang Ruyi
- Zhang Xu Zhan
- Zhang Yunyao
Contact details
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The 12th edition of the International will be structured around roughly 25 figures, both real and fictional, from a 19th-century saloon owner to the Indigenous author N. Scott Momaday.
Once Within a Time takes its title from the most recent film by Godfrey Reggio, the legendary experimental filmmaker who has long resided in Santa Fe.
This year鈥檚 biennial features almost 100 artists and 鈥渇igures of interest鈥 in a city-wide exploration of the tales we all tell and how they form us and our cultures.
The 12th SITE Santa Fe International is a mightily ambitious and daring beast. It extends far beyond the customary selection of 鈥渞elevant鈥 contemporary artworks in major international exhibitions.