Americañ/na
![](http://d2r8ik3tdu68jx.cloudfront.net/w-U-r0GGgRanR2mBvD4ATWaAw9FgvFdfkluttL5kITw/rs:fill:470:470:1/format:jpg/plain/https%3A%2F%2Faf-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fphotos%2Fimages%2F268654%2Foriginal%2Famericana-neonmockup.jpg)
![](http://d2r8ik3tdu68jx.cloudfront.net/qyeEgQ8xMRdwnr_olrAkryXI_Om2AKeQN9M-bI6SwRM/rs:fill:470:235:1/format:jpg/plain/https%3A%2F%2Faf-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fphotos%2Fimages%2F268655%2Foriginal%2Famerica%C3%B1a-neonmockup.jpg)
![](http://d2r8ik3tdu68jx.cloudfront.net/zGD_hOOZbg6MWVjs1dsV4ULJVOULqfr-dmIK_nm4tqE/rs:fill:470:235:1/format:jpg/plain/https%3A%2F%2Faf-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fphotos%2Fimages%2F268656%2Foriginal%2Fanimated_america%C3%B1aneonsign.gif)
I would like to fabricate a large neon sign with a flashing ~ to alternate between saying "Americaña" and "Americana". This is one of the most recent projects of my research-based creative practice involving an evolving series of solo and collaborative initiatives to use our invented term, Americaña, as a cultural metaphor to explore the complexities of identifying Latina/o/x traditions, knowledge, politics, history, geography, artifacts, and ephemera.
"Americaña" is an invented word that is in a sense self-defining to suggest a Hispano/Latinx influence in our understanding of what contributes to Americana. Without a formal definition, this invented term operates as a broader cultural metaphor to explore. Using text and language, these projects confront the anglo-centered way that we archive and describe cultural artifacts within the United States of America.
The neon sign flashing between Americaña/Americana will bring the term and cultural metaphor into the public realm. Through visual art and text, this project will create a conversation around the themes our ongoing project works to understand.
Complete project site is currently under development (www.americaña.com)