Border Soundscapes: Sonic Narratives of the El Paso-Juárez Borderlands

Museology Museum Installation Research Sonic Exhibition sound art Sound Theory

Protected: Border Soundscapes: A Sonic Journey Across the U.S.–Mexico Border

by José M Flores on April 29, 2026

Museology Museum Installation Research Sonic Exhibition sound art Sound Theory

Protected: Border Soundscapes: A Sonic Journey Across the U.S.–Mexico Border

by José M Flores on April 29, 2026

Border Soundscapes is a project that emerges from the need to explore Sound Studies through a Rhetorical ear and its intersection with Digital Humanities and Latinx Studies, examining how sound shapes cultural identity, memory, and resistance in border communities. Rooted in the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of the U.S.-Mexico border, specifically in the sister cities of Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, and El Paso, Texas, this initiative seeks to document and analyze the soundscapes that shape Latinidad, sense of place, and sense of belonging in the Paso del Norte region. As a platform dedicated to preserving cultural heritage through sound, Border Soundscapes amplifies the voices and everyday sonic experiences that define the region’s identity. We believe that, over time, our work will become a valuable resource for future generations, deepening their understanding of history and community through an alternative form of sensory literacy. While traditional learning often centers on visual and textual experiences, our project challenges these paradigms by fostering a more immersive engagement with sound. By exploring the region’s acoustic ecologies, we aim to encourage critical reflection on how sound informs cultural memory, identity, and resistance in border communities.