Hissing and buzzing insects, followed by booming laughter of small children permeated the small but fitting Martin Wong Gallery in the Fine Arts building, as the ComuniCarte's art exhibit premiered at SF State last week.

"We wanted to give a little sense of what it's like to be in Colima," said program instructor Christian Nagler of three years. "You have insects, heat, dogs and horses."

The Colima, El Salvador and Costa Rican project showcased murals and sculptures created by students over the summer.

The project unveiled its art on Aug. 20, in an environment similar to the Central American town in the summer: hot, loud, and intense.

This technological approach to the exhibition is something fresh for the Colima Project.

"We had a bunch of media artists with us this time," said Program Director Amanda Eicher. "Documentation becomes so much more alive when you use more media tools."

Due to their recent return to the United States, the Costa Rican program will only be minimally involved in the exhibition, but plan to display their projects in the near future.

"We plan to have another installation later in the year, in order to highlight the work we do in Costa Rica," said student Ashlie Gaos. "I do hope to air our documentary for the project from last year."

Everyone involved with the Colima Project wanted to convey a clear understanding of the relationship between the United States and El Salvador through a mural of photographs, mirroring projected videos, and oral histories. These projects essentially aimed to absorb the visitor into Colima life.

"This exhibition has so much time-based work," said Eicher. "I would like people to set aside a moment of time in that space to be in Colima and imagine themselves in Colima."

The rural town approximately 45 minutes north of San Salvador is one of the few agricultural cooperatives in El Salvador that has been adversely affected ecologically.

Industrial pollution in surrounding rivers and the longtime controversial existence of a hydro dam has plagued Colima for years. Students from SF State, as well as resident artists, traveled again to Colima this past July to work with the people and optimistically bring back a greater social awareness.

"This project is the opportunity to learn how to bring social and political consciousness with art practices," said Nagler. "It's a very delicate and difficult relationship, but necessary."

ComuniCarte is open from noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday until Sept. 3.