Resistencia Trans: The Faces of Protest, Violence, and Resilience
By Florencia Denti
On September 18, 2024, the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square unveiled its latest installation, Mil Veces un Instante (A Thousand Times in an Instant), by Mexican artist Teresa Margolles. Composed of plaster casts of hundreds of transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming faces, the sculpture serves as a tribute to those who have suffered violence simply for existing. Among the participants was Cas Bradbeer, a London-based curator, who became involved in the project through Queer Circle, an LGBTQ+ arts collective in the UK. For Cas, the experience was both emotional and reflective of the broader struggles faced by trans communities globally.
Mil Veces un Instante was created between London, Mexico City, and Ciudad Juárez, and pays homage to the life of Karla, a transgender woman who was murdered in Ciudad Juárez in 2016. The work aims to raise awareness of the violence that trans and non-binary people continue to endure. “The experiences shared by Mexican representatives resonated deeply with me and broadened my understanding of the prevalence of trans-femicide in Mexico,” Cas explained. While the UK participants Cas met were diverse in terms of gender, Margolles’ work was dedicated to Karla, a transgender woman who was also a musician, sex worker, and artistic collaborator. She was murdered in 2015 in Chihuahua, Mexico, and this brutal history reflects the violent femicides in Latin America. Cas added that UK participants were given insight into the cultural context of Margolles’ work while still contributing as trans people who also face violence. In Margolles’ words, the piece honours “those who live on, the new generations who will defend the power to freely choose to live with dignity.”
The Process: A Warm, Communal Experience
For Cas, participating in Mil Veces un Instante was an intimate and emotionally profound experience. From the moment they arrived, they were welcomed by members of the Mexican trans community. “It was a lovely opportunity for cross-cultural exchange as we shared our experiences,” Cas noted. This sense of solidarity and openness set the tone for what would be an emotional and reflective process.
After this warm reception, Cas was led to the room where the casting process took place. The space reminded them of a spa; they lay on a bed, the lights dimmed, and they were encouraged to listen to their own music (Cas chose Local Valley by Jose Gonzalez).”It felt very safe and warm,” Cas shared. As the plaster hardened, it warmed up, adding to the sense of comfort and protection, a womb-like experience.
Cas’ cast. When seen up close, you can see some hairs, skin and even a bit of sleep.
Each face cast in Mil Veces un Instante contains personal traces — skin, hair, makeup and even tears — making the artwork more than just a visual representation. “The sculpture feels alive, like a wall of resistance built from our lived experiences,” Cas reflected. Margolles’ intention to let the sculpture erode over time, as it is worn down by the elements, echoed how public spaces can feel hostile. “Public spaces can feel like they erode you,” Cas explained. “As a trans person, stepping outside means existing in potentially hostile environments, and the fear alone wears you down.”
In an act of reciprocity, Margolles ensured that each participant received a photograph of themselves with their cast. For Cas, this gesture felt like a way of giving back through art, creating a personal memento from the processC.
Photo of Cas with their cast by Margolles.
Cultural Reflections: Violence in Public Spaces
For Cas, Mil Veces un Instante is more than a memorial; it brings attention to the ongoing struggles for visibility and safety in public spaces. The work, inspired by the ancient Mesoamerican tzompantli — racks used to display the skulls of war captives or sacrificial victims — reimagines the tradition in a modern context. Instead of displaying the heads of captives, it exposes the faces of those who have suffered violence. In doing so, Margolles transforms Trafalgar Square into a space of reflection, where the public is confronted with the violence endured by trans communities.
A Protest Against Systemic Violence
At the unveiling of Mil Veces un Instante, there was a striking contrast between the Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries’ formal address and the chants of “Resistencia Trans” led by a Mexican representative. While the Deputy Mayor framed the artwork as a celebration of diversity, using inclusive sculpture to “make London a better place for all to be in,” Margolles’ team emphasized the artwork as a message of resistance, focusing on the systemic violence that trans communities face. For Cas, the Mexican representatives underscored the urgency of the piece, transforming Trafalgar Square into a platform for protest and solidarity.
Margolles’ work doesn’t simply aim to commemorate those lost; it serves as a call to action. By incorporating faces from both Mexican and UK communities, Mil Veces un Instante is a bridge between cultures, a shared reflection on violence and survival. For Cas, the project was a reminder of the global nature of trans struggles and the need for solidarity. The unveiling event, marked by both formality and protest, captured the dual essence of Margolles’ work — at once a celebration of resilience and a cry for justice.
