Transgender Faces in Plaster: Teresa Margolles' Artwork Unveiled in London’s Trafalgar Square

An impactful artwork showcasing the plaster face casts of hundreds of transgender individuals is now on display at Trafalgar Square, London. This unique installation, titled "Mil Veces un Instante (A Thousand Times in an Instant)," by Mexican artist Teresa Margolles, features the faces of 726 trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people.

Artistic Transformation and Tribute

The 3.3-metric-ton cube, adorned with these face casts, will face the elements of London, gradually wearing away over the next 18 months. This exposure serves as a metaphorical representation of the transgender community's struggles enduring in a society that may not always understand or accept them.

Margolles, known for her background in forensic pathology, often incorporates reflections on death and conflict in her art. This installation evokes a Tzompantli, a traditional Mesoamerican display of skulls, as a poignant tribute to the artist's friend, a transgender woman named Karla, who faced an untimely demise in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, in 2015, a crime that remains unresolved.

Exploration of Identity and Societal Norms

"Mil Veces un Instante" invites viewers to reflect on the identities and experiences of the transgender community, pushing the boundaries of societal norms and encouraging conversations around love, acceptance, and the inherent value of every life.