A new binational exhibition at San Diego's Centro Cultural de la Raza explores the San Diego-Mexico border through the lens of skateboarding. Featuring 60 works by 25 artists, the show connects local communities in San Diego and Tijuana through a shared subculture.
The "DIY Democracy" of the San Diego-Tijuana border
The exhibition, titled 'Boarder Crossings : Patinetas, Paz y DIY Democracy', uses the subculture of skateboarding to address the physical and political barriers between San Diego and Mexico. As the report states, the project is rooted in the concept of "Do It Yourself" (DIY) democracy, a term used by San Diego State University history professor David Cline to describe how grassroots communities can build a collective voice through art.
This movement mirrors broader global trends where urban subcultures use reclaimed objects to protest or navigate restrictive borders. By involving artists from both sides of the line, the initiative seeks to highlight human connection over political separation. This binational approach, conducted alongside the Centro Cultural Tijuana, suggests that art can function as a bridge where traditional diplomacy often fails.
60 works of art and a repurposed Border Patrol truck
The visual landscape of the exhibition at Centro Cultural de la Raza in Balboa Park is designed to be immersive and provocative. Visitors encounter two mock border fences at the entrance, setting a tone of tension that is immediately met by creative subversion. According to the report, the show features 60 pieces of art, including paintings, engravings, and collages applied directly to skateboard decks.
One of the most striking installations is a replica Border Patrol truck that has been converted into a functional skate ramp. The interior of this vehicle features murals that depict the journey from San Diego into Baja California, effectively turning a symbol of enforcement into a tool for community expression. Additionally, the exhibition includes three commissioned murals, one of which was created by Chicano Park artist Ricardo Islas.
David Cline’s "Peace Seen and Peace Heard" project
The exhibition is not merely a local art show but a structured academic and community endeavor. It was developed by San Diego State University professors David Cline and Andrea Buchetti as part of the "Peace Seen and Peace Heard" project. This work was produced during Cline's tenure as the Fred J. Hansen Peace Chair, linking academic research on peace-building with tangible, community-led artistic action.
By recruiting community skateboarders and artists from both San Diego and Tijuana, the organizers have ensured that the exhibition reflects authentic cross-border skate culture rather than an outsider's perspective. While the report states that planning for the exhibition began in August 2025,the show is currently on view through August 10.
Who is funding the binational partnership with Centro Cultural Tijuana?
While the exhibition provides a powerful snapshot of binational solidarity,several details regarding the collaboration remain unaddressed. The report does not specify how the partnership with the Centro Cultural Tijuana will evolve beyond this August 10 closing date, nor does it clarify the specific funding sources that allowed for the commissioning of murals by artists like Ricardo Islas. Furthermore, it remains unclear if this grassroots "DIY democracy" model will be supported by larger institutional grants in the future.
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