Roughly six thousand large antelopes native to Africa live on the White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico. Once small in number, these oryx have proliferated and make for an unexpected sight with their giant bodies, striking black and white faces, and long, spear-like horns. What are the oryx doing in New Mexico? Las Cruces-based photographer, Marcus Xavier Chormicle’s research of the animals has informed his oryx photography series. The oryx series was the focus of Chormicle’s work during his New Mexico Arts residency at Lincoln Historic Site in the spring of 2024. He joined Encounter Culture to share what he has learned about the history of the oryx in the state and how his project has helped him wrestle with the complicated questions that arise from the animals’ presence.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Marcus Xavier Chormicle photography

Deep Springs photography book by Sam Contis

Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University

American artist Binh Danh

Lincoln Historic Site

White Sands Missile Range

Trinity Site

For further reading and more resources, view the full show notes.

***

We’d love to hear from you! Let us know what you loved about the episode, share a personal story it made you think of, or ask us a question at elpalacio@dca.nm.gov. You can write a regular email or record a short voice memo and attach it for us to listen to. 

Visit newmexicoculture.org for info about our museums, historic sites, virtual tours, and more. 

Our favorite way to fully experience everything they have to offer is with the New Mexico CulturePass. Reserve yours online!  

If you love New Mexico, you’ll love El Palacio Magazine! Subscribe to El Palacio today. ***

Encounter Culture is a production of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at The Creative Impostor Studios.

Hosted by Emily Withnall, editor at El Palacio Magazine Executive Producer: Daniel Zillmann Technical Director & Post-Production Audio: Edwin R. Ruiz Recording Engineer: Kabby at Kabby Sound Studios in Santa Fe Editor & Production Manager: Alex Riegler Associate Producer & Editor: Monica Braine (Assiniboine/Lakota) Theme Music: D’Santi Nava

Instagram: @newmexicanculture and @elpalaciomagazine