Bridge over troubled borders: Artist creates ‘Veil of Tears’ tribute in Arivaca

Tucson artist/architect Neil Bernstein, 48, known worldwide for his often controversial memorial works of paintings, sculpture and architectural structures, this week completed his “Golden Gates/ Bridge Over Troubled Borders” in Arivaca, with the help of volunteers.

Located on private land on a well-known pathway for illegal immigrants, the 40-feet-long, 30-feet-high bridge constructed with industrial-sized metal pipe, painted a “sparkling, metallic gold,” is topped with a golden-colored fabric, symbolizing the “Veil of Tears” illegal immigrants and their families endure, Bernstein said.

The structure, which will officially open to the public at 6 p.m., Thursday, is between Mileposts 10 and 9 along Arivaca Road.

“If you reach Milepost 9, you’ve gone too far,” said Bernstein, adding that a sign reading “Golden Gates Bridge” is now in place on the south side of the road, directing the public to the memorial.

The bridge, intended as a “beacon of hope’ for illegal immigrants, their families and Americans divided, frustrated and angry about the issue, is intended to promote more dialogue, awareness and understanding about “a tragic situation” and, hopefully, a solution, Bernstein said.

“I don’t have any particular politics or opinion. I’m an artist, more concerned with universal issues of humanity and metaphysics,” Berstein said.

“I built this bridge because scores of people are dying in the desert weekly and a lot of them are people who aspire to some greater vision of themselves. The purpose of this bridge is to instill hope in people in a hopeless situation,” similar to those people who were victims of the 9-11 terrorist attacks, Hurricane Katrina and the Holocaust, he continued.

Bernstein’s previous works on the 9-11 attacks, constructed across from Ground Zero, Katrina, built in the 9th Ward in New Orleans, and the Holocaust, built near Auschwitz, have been displayed in museums around the world.

The bridge in Arivaca will remain in place until May, when it will be transported to museums in Washington, D.C., and New York City to expand awareness of illegal immigration problems in Southern Arizona nationwide, said Bernstein.

Born a Jew in New York City who later converted to the Universalist/Unitarian faith, Bernstein describes himself as a deeply religious person and “very proud to be an American.”

He said the bridge, which will include light beacons to help illegals find their way to water and shelter, was inspired by his finding the tiny shoes of a 3-year-old girl who died in the Southern Arizona desert while attempting to cross with a group of illegals.

“That was when I realized I had a duty and an obligation to create a talisman, a vessel that can hopefully bring all people together to face their fears, regardless of their politics. American citizens can’t agree on what’s best for the country and are getting a lot of contradictory and confusing messages, many based on fears after 9-11, Katrina and other events. I want them to stop yelling at each other, start a conversation and come to some sort of reasonable agreement” on illegal immigration, Bernstein said.

“There’s a godliness to this bridge which reaches up to the heavens and, hopefully, will touch the humanity in us all.”

Bernstein is encouraging the migrants, their families and others from both sides of the border touched by illegal immigration to donate photographs, memorabilia, sacred objects and mementos, such as the little girl’s shoes to be placed on the bridge, based on the belief that “it’s easier to hate people if you don’t have to look at their picture.”

“I do have a reputation as a bit of a radical, but I want to imbue people with a spiritual awakening and help to resolve a situation filled with so much conflict and turmoil,” Bernstein said.

Troubled and intrigued by the problem of illegal immigration, Bernstein moved to Tucson three years ago from New York City after achieving worldwide recognition for his work, which incorporates a tremendous variety of elements and objects, such as human ash, which have some bearing on the lives of those who died in the tragic events that haunt him a fuel his artistic vision.

One series of works, life-sized javelina sculptures, pierced with arrows, covered with hospital bandages and draped in red, white and blue, attracted the attention of Paul Maxon, builder and abstract artist, and the son of Green Valley’s founding father, the late Don Maxon.

Paul Maxon is financing the Arivaca “Golden Gates” bridge at a cost of “many, many thousands, a lot,” said Bernstein, who declined to reveal the actual amount.

The bridge took 30 days to complete on site, with the help of artist volunteers, but the project involved about three years of work, with Bernstein doing the design and much of the construction in his studio in Tucson and then transporting it to Arivaca.

The artist encourages the public to come and see his work which he intentionally covered in gold paint because gold is not only “the symbol of the prosperity illegals seek, but also the symbol of spirituality,” he said.

“Whether you love it or hate it, please come be with us at the bridge, meet with neighbors and the people who have different ideas, which is part of our heritage as Americans. All are welcome, including the Minutemen,” Bernstein stressed.

For more information on the artist and his work go to www.neilbernsteinartist.com

Those interested in further information on the bridge or in making donations can call Bernstein at (520) 404-6515.

Kathy Engle is a freelance writer who lives in Amado. You can contact her at kdengle@earthlink, net. Comment on this story online at www.gvnews.com.