New Mexico artist Eric J. García, who is known for using history and a graphic style to create political art that confronts our understanding of the present, explores sci-fi concepts like space, aliens, and invasion through the historical lens of colonialism and expansionism.
Aim High! is a multi-media exhibition consisting of an interactive video game, various ink illustrations (using cochineal and juice from prickly pear “tunas” as ink) and other works that explore sci-fi concepts of space or alien invasion through the historical lens of colonialism and Western expansionism in the United States. His artworks reimagine historical episodes of colonialism, erasure, and genocide in science fiction backdrops. One of the video games titled Space Invaders imitates the popular sci-fi arcade game of the same name, and was created in collaboration with Professor Rafael Fajardo from the University of Denver in Colorado. The classic alien icons from the original game are replaced by colonial symbols created by García, such as knights on horseback, cannons, cathedrals, etc. Several of these icon designs are repeated in García's ink drawings for the show, which also reference other known sci-fi invaders and historic explorers.
