Acequia Apocalypse is an artistic expression to vent frustration at the loss of northern New Mexico culture by the process of progress, development, and gentrification. The expression is made by Miguel Santistevan, who has spend decades of his life trying to maintain his place and culture of the region by defending and managing acequias, maintaining seeds, and addressing difficulties of the times and our future such as from the nuclear industry, climate change, and a disconnection from nature and community. Acequia Apocalypse is a sensory experience that showcases aspects of acequia and northern New Mexico culture juxtaposed with images of influence and devastation that have crippled the keepers of culture into modes of economic survival in modern times. This installation is hoped to create awareness and reflection to inspire action, support, and understanding of the issues northern New Mexicans have faced and have to navigate in the modern age.

About the artist:  Miguel Antonio Santistevan is involved in around the conservation of traditional agriculture and the relationship with land, water, and culture. He has degrees and certifications in Biology, Ecology, and other agricultural-related disciplines and has been farming for 18 years. Santistevan currently reside in Taos and is farming several plots of land in a variety of native crops, or landraces, from our local acequia, or communally managed irrigation ditch.