Kaabi-Linke taps into issues that resonate internationally—unearthing such complex dynamics as those surrounding trauma, gender, and borders. Her work is a poetic reflection of the structures that define human existence. Through her deep investigation into subject matter that is often undocumented, Kaabi-Linke makes visible experiences that are hidden from the general public. The topics of war, domestic violence, and immigration are unpacked through rigorous and careful investigation.
For her solo show at Dallas Contemporary, Kaabi-Linke exhibited pieces created all around the world that were born anew as a result of a change in context. The centerpiece of the exhibition was a commissioned work entitled Walk the Line. This installation and performance addressed the borders that divide peoples around the world. In the United States, it evoked stories of individuals’ ancestors migrating to the country either escaping persecution or in pursuit of the American dream. More directly, it spoke to the Dallas community as it reflected upon the division between the state of Texas and Mexico—a border that separates so many families and defines the life of innumerable individuals.
In this work, Dallas community members wrapped string the length of this border around two of the museum’s columns over the three-month run of the exhibition. The final product was a wall composed of multicolored string. To prepare for this project, Kaabi-Linke met the individuals who would take on the performance once she departed from the United States. Each performer told their story and reason for taking part in the work. In these moments, the project solidified. For the project’s participants, Walk the Line became their own as they covered part of the distance of the border.
— Justine Ludwig
