Verónica Peña (Spain) is an interdisciplinary artist who explores absence, separation, and the search for harmony. Recent works include experimental participatory performances that create shared moments amongst strangers. She has exhibited around the world and currently curates “Collective Becoming: The Urban Caress”, an initiative to make cities less hostile.
ALIEN OF EXTRAORDINARY ABILITY
Alien Of Extraordinary Ability is how immigration officers refer to immigrants seeking an O-1 visa, based on professional merit, also known as an “artist visa.” Based on her experience, using American stereotypes of Spanish culture, Peña creates a performance that engages the audience in a series of questions immigrants are asked in order to enter the U.S.
COUNTERPOINTS
Inspired by sculptures commemorating great historical moments, COUNTERPOINTS aims to reconcile free expression of identity, quotidian moments, and standards of national and moral grandeur. Using her body and heavy stacks of her father’s business documents, Peña evokes self-affirmation and liberation of the self in her body.