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Chimaera
(2001)
installation
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essay
by joy russell
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From
Webster's New World Dictionary
chim·ae·ra,
Chi·me·ra (kI-'mir'a, kI) noun
1a : capitalized : a fire-breathing she-monster in Greek mythology having
a lion's head, a goat's body, and a serpent's tail. b : an imaginary monster
compounded of incongruous parts
2 : an illusion or fabrication of the mind; especially : an unrealizable
dream <a fancy, a chimera in my brain, troubles me in my prayer --
John Donne>
3 : an individual, organ, or part consisting of tissues of diverse genetic
constitution
we
were tested for readiness.
mom, who never showed interest in history,
memorized names of presidents
with hands on hearts we swore to bear arms
barely speaking english,
we gave ourselves names of presidents
abraham fong
jackson fujimoto
truman sanchez
propelling selves and progeny into
a promise, riding on a sears
catalogue american dream.
mistaking safety for freedom,
opportunity for equality.
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