Photo credit: Sue Wrbican

By Mekdelawit Gebreslassie

Depending on who you talk to, the definition of ‘home’ is different. For immigrants, it can be difficult because ‘home’ brings back memories of a place they may never return.

In 2021, the Icebox Collective, a DC-based multi disciplinary group of artists including Courtney Applequist and Irene Clouthier — launched the Nomadic House / Cloud(s) Project at the Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington, DC with the goal of igniting and sustaining conversation about issues of home and shelter, immigration, and displacement. The Nomadic House / Cloud(s) project was initiated in response to Ukraine, but as the war continued, the challenge wasn’t so much of raising awareness of a cause, but keeping the conversation going and catalyzing change.

Now in its third iteration, and installed at the Mexican Cultural Institute, the project aims to look through the lens of conflict and migration at the U.S. / Mexican border which displaces thousands of people each year. The goal was to create a symbolic house that would elicit discussion on immigration. The project's main draw is its arrangement of red-stringed water jugs which symbolizing the belief that we are all united by a common soul. The Nomadic House / Cloud(s) project was initially intended to be a stationary project, but as the war in Ukraine wore on, the challenge wasn’t so much of raising awareness of a cause, but keeping the conversation going and ensuring change. Immigrants are only permitted to bring two water jugs and two tuna cans across the border between Mexico and the U.S. Each water jug hanging from the house is a symbol of life. A life that may, or may not survive but is interconnected with thousands of others.

“We are in a clouded mind right now with all the misinformation being fed to us by politics and media. we are far from solving and understanding the issue. The jug is the matter of life or death.” says Applequist.

In the future, The Nomadic House / Cloud(s) project plans to exhibit in a number of locations, many of which are close to borders. In February 2023, they plan to display the artwork in Mexico in a city where drug trafficking is prevalent in order to open up discussion.

“We need to create a dialogue because these conversations are not happening. Because they help us consider how we are going to respond to the problem. ̈ says Applequist.

According to the Icebox Collective, Applequist and Clouthier, relocating The Nomadic House from community to community, is a way to empower, and inspire others to act independently and proactively.

Mekdelawit Gebreslassie is an intern at DCTRENDING and a junior at Parkmont High School in Washington, DC.