Event

In Conversation: Mercedes Dorame and Tomiko Jones

Image of artists

Please join us for an evening conversation with exhibiting artists Mercedes Dorame and Tomiko Jones, moderated by guest curator Ann Jastrab. Westward, located at San Francisco City Hall, is an expansive exhibition featuring women photographers focusing their attention on the American West, subverting notions related to the masculine conceit of Manifest Destiny. This conversation will bring together two artists that think deeply about history, land and belonging.

Mercedes Dorame, a Los Angeles based artist, is a member of the Gabrielino/Tongva tribe. In her work, she “explores the construction of culture and origin stories as outcomes of the need to tie one’s existence to the land. I am interested in the problematics of living in a place that once belonged to your ancestors, a place you feel connected to, yet have lost access to. Our tribe has no federal recognition, and therefore no reservation land and no gathering place.” 

Tomiko Jones, who just relocated from the Bay Area to assume the role of Assistant Professor of Art at University of Wisconsin-Madison, creates videos and “questionably fictional” photography that are “linked to place, exploring transitions in the landscape in social, cultural and geographical terms.” Her work in Westward are both quiet and powerful, tracing the line between land and water, and perhaps between being awake and dreaming.

Note that Westward is on the ground floor of City Hall, and this special program takes place across the street from City Hall in the Veterans Building, Room 125. Seating is limited, so please arrive 15 minutes early.  

Please note that the exhibition is at City Hall, and will not be accessible in the hours prior to this talk due to a large event at City Hall. We invite you to visit the exhibition another day.​

What's Coming Up

Public Meeting

Visual Arts Committee Meeting

April 17
/
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Hybrid: City Hall | Rm 416 and Online
Public Meeting

Executive Committee Meeting

December 18
/
1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

Hybrid: 401 Van Ness | Rm 125 and Online
Public Meeting

Community Investments Committee Meeting

April 16
/
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Hybrid: City Hall | Rm 408 and Online
Public Meeting

Civic Design Review Committee Meeting

April 15
/
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Hybrid: City Hall | Rm 416 and Online