Mariana Ortega

Mariana Ortega, Associate Professor at Penn State, explores deep connections between art and Latinx identity in her work, "Carnalities: The Art of Living in Latinidad." She discusses carnal aesthetics, highlighting how intimacy influences perception and reshapes artistic practices. Ortega emphasizes the role of photography in engaging with themes of mourning and colonialism. By listening to photographs, especially those documenting migration, she delves into their emotional weight and communal significance. The conversation emphasizes art's power to transform and remember.

Mariana Ortega, an Associate Professor at Penn State with expertise in philosophy and Latina studies, delves deep into the interplay of art and racialization. She introduces the concept of 'carnal aesthetics,' emphasizing embodied, intimate perceptions. Ortega explores how photography can disrupt conventional views and reshape identities, particularly through the work of artists like Laura Aguilar and Gloria Anzaldúa. Ultimately, she argues that engaging with art can transform our understanding of trauma and community, inviting a profound, affective experience.