Entrance to the exhibit, Trazando la Línea/Tracing the Line.

The exhibit is organized around three historical periods: 1848–1891: The first boundary survey and its aftermath; 1892–1926: From the second boundary survey to the creation of the US Border Patrol; and after 1926: The rise of present-day Baja Norte borderlands. In addition, the exhibit's first gallery summarizes the pre-1848 events in Baja history and the final gallery considers the future of the Baja borderlands.

Trazando la Línea/Tracing the Line displays a broad spectrum of work from this third-nation hybrid culture — Mexican and Chicano art from the region, work by California artists, images and information about the border monuments, and images of historical records including treaty documents and contemporary accounts of travelers and explorers. There are maps identifying the actual gateways of trade. Evocative photos show the harsh metal barriers dividing light and sand. The grim reality of countries divided appears in images of lonely graves, evidence of those who died searching for the American dream.

Visionary artworks include an installation entitled "Recuerdos/Souvenirs," by Ron Rael (Professor of Architecture): glass dome-encased miniature dioramas showing realistic and imaginary scenes of cross-border interactions, and border monuments displayed as key ring ornaments.

One of the works by Prof. Ron Rael from his installation, "Recuerdos/Souvenirs."

Also read Monuments, Manifest Destiny, and Mexico, Part 1 and Part 2 by Michael Dear at the National Archive.

Editor's Note: The exhibit is scheduled to close on July 8th.

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