Acequia Apocalypse is an immersive projection and sound installation that honors the living heritage of Northern New Mexico’s acequia culture while confronting the environmental and social forces threatening its survival. Centered around the iconic horno, a traditional mud oven used to cook maize, the piece weaves together layers of video, sound, and scent to create a multisensory narrative of resilience, cultural memory, and impending ecological crisis.

Projected imagery of a working horno is framed by visuals of acequia-fed fields, communal agricultural practices, and the rhythms of everyday life in New Mexico’s high desert. These scenes are juxtaposed with stark portrayals of cultural disruption—land loss, gentrification, substance abuse, and environmental degradation—chronicling the ongoing struggle to sustain acequia traditions in the face of external pressures.

A curated soundscape blends traditional and contemporary music with oral histories and spoken reflections, amplifying the voices of community members whose knowledge and stories form the foundation of acequia culture. The installation may also incorporate the aromas of cedar, sage, and piñon, evoking the sensory essence of the landscape and grounding the experience in place.

More than an artwork, Acequia Apocalypse is a call to attention. It invites viewers to bear witness to a fragile but enduring way of life—an intricate system of communal irrigation, land stewardship, and cultural practice that holds vital lessons for navigating an uncertain environmental future. As Taos continues to evolve under the pressures of tourism and development, this piece serves as a reminder that acequia culture is not a relic of the past, but a living, breathing framework for resilience and cooperation.

About the artist: Miguel Antonio Santistevan is a multidisciplinary artist, agroecologist, educator, and cultural advocate whose work centers on the preservation and revitalization of Northern New Mexico’s acequia traditions and agricultural heritage. With a background in biology (B.S., M.S., Ph.D. Candidate), Miguel has spent over two decades blending scientific research, community activism, and artistic expression to highlight the vital role of acequias in environmental resilience and cultural identity.

As founder of Agriculture Implementation Research & Education (AIRE), Miguel has led programs focused on sustainable agriculture, water rights, and seed sovereignty. His multimedia installations, including Acequia Apocalypse, utilize video, sound, and olfactory elements to create immersive storytelling experiences that amplify the voices and struggles of acequia communities.

Miguel’s work has been featured at The Paseo Project, including past iterations of Acequia Apocalypse, as well as in publications, radio broadcasts, and educational initiatives throughout New Mexico. He continues to serve as an advocate for traditional land-based knowledge, fostering intergenerational learning and community resilience through art, education, and cultural stewardship.