THE SAME
THE OTHER
THE SAMEOTHER
During the economically challenging period surrounding the First World War, approximately 40,000 Burgenlanders emigrated to the United States. Chicago quickly became the epicenter of this diaspora, transforming into the largest city for Burgenlanders. This migration juxtaposed the rural traditions of Burgenland—a small region of the former Austria-Hungary—with the vibrant urban life of Chicago.
THE SAME / THE OTHER / THE SAMEOTHER examines whether the identity of the "American Burgenland" community remains rooted in Burgenland, evolves into something distinctly American, or becomes an entirely new cultural construct. The work delves into profound questions about migration, cultural identity, and the interplay between tradition and change. What happens when two distinct cultural spaces converge? What traces are left behind, and how do they shape the lives of those navigating this intersection?
Central to the approach is Homi Bhabha’s concept of the “third space.” This intermediary zone, where cultures collide and hybridize, transcends binary categorizations. It is not merely a blending of identities but a dynamic space of transformation, where differences coexist and generate new cultural expressions. In this space, oppositions dissolve, giving way to creativity and reinvention. The installation offers a compelling reflection on these complexities, challenging viewers to rethink the boundaries between “us” and “them.” It encourages exploration of the rich, hybrid landscapes that emerge when cultures intersect, evolve, and recombine.
The installation’s three video channels provide a conceptual framework for these ideas. Each channel presents the same video imagery, but with distinct subtitles that radically alter the meaning of the scenes. While the first two channels use identical words arranged differently to shift interpretation, the third channel is left untitled, relying entirely on the images to convey meaning. This structure underscores the power of language and context in shaping understanding, emphasizing the fluidity of cultural meaning and interpretation.
By inviting viewers to see beyond binaries, this work transforms cultural identity into a multifaceted web of experiences, perspectives, and possibilities. It is a powerful meditation on the hybrid spaces of our globalized world, where new forms of belonging and meaning continually emerge.