a Hallwalls Artist in Residence Project (HARP)

The Year of The Diamond DogsÊis a sonic and visual landscape that evokes the dystopian future explored by OrwellÕs novel and BowieÕs music. In MoralesÕ work, peril, expectation, desire and disillusion create a field of tension. Working from a Latino perspective, Morales uses mutated sound samples of Diamond Dogs, language, typography, and idiosyncratic symbols from the Latin American urban landscape—such as the broken bottles that are often found embedded in the concrete atop walls to protect and define property boundaries—to create a dangerous topography that evokes issues of immigration, alienation, dystopia and surveillance.

The project includes multi-channel video, sculpture and sound with original music by Los Creamators and additional audio of the artistÕs aunt singing obscure Mexican songs. Morales utilizes digital media in the broadest sense—as a printed mural, recorded sound, LED signs, video etc. His artistic practice can be described as employing the DJÕs method of remixing as a means to analyze the politics of culture.