SHINY COBRA

Grand Central Art Center- Santa Ana Art Walk, May 2013

CAM:
On May 4th, 2013 we attended the monthly Santa Ana Art Walk for the opening reception to Divested Interest: Exchange Dialogues with Cog•nate Collective & Ramiro Gomez at the Grand Central Art Center gallery. I was excited to view Mr. Gomez’s artworks exhibited in a gallery setting, as he predominately installs his works in the public urban space.
Ramiro’s appropriations on magazine pages

The exhibit consisted of Ramiro’s appropriations on magazine pages, with a few art photography pieces taken by his partner who documented the artist installations in the streets. Ramiro also had his “Los Olvidados” cardboard piece that was originally erected in Tucson, AZ July, 2012 placed in the gallery.
Image of “Los Olvidados” piece from outside the GCAC gallery

Outside, what lured the art goers into the CSUF governed exhibition space were six cardboard street pieces by the Mexican-American artist. Which instantly caught my attention as I walked towards the GCAC.
Ramiro Gomez Jr. cardboard street pieces in front of Grand Central Art Center for “Divested Interest”

Looks as the art masses were pleased with the Divested Interest: Exchange Dialogues with Cog•nate Collective & Ramiro Gomez exhibition. By the end of the night many of Ramiro’s appropriations on magazine pages had been acquired by collectors. Good show Mr. Gomez.
Photography piece by Mr. Gomez’s partner

Exhibition runs until Sunday, July 14, 2013 with a Closing Reception (TBD)

More Images: CHICANO ART MOVEMENT Facebook page

Display case at the entrance to UCLA CSRC Library showcasing UFW pieces from Chican@s (re)Imagining Zapata exhibit.

CAM:
Last week Anita and I attended two exhibitions in one day on our cultured filled date. With our permission slips signed and all four wheels rotating simultaneously, we headed to destination number one of our two stops. The first visual delight was contemporary Artist Gary Baseman’s, The Door Is Always Open at The Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. Which was a spectacular survey that takes you through the artist career and life. Mr. Baseman is one of my favorite Low brow/Pop Surrealism artists. But, for The Door Is Always Open write up on the exhibition will have to read it on my other blog (Shhh, if you know which one it is, enjoy!)
I would like to recognize the Skirball Cultural Center for having the most friendliest museum staff.
Mr. Baseman, I have two words for you artwork and The Door Is Always Open exhibition, Visual Heaven.

Wait a minute, is that who I think it is? Mr. Baseman visiting “The Door Is Always Open” exhibition. The real almost felt surreal.

Stop deux, would be to the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), for Chican@s (re)Imagining Zapata at the Chicano Studies Research Center Library, which runs until May 10, 2013. I had already viewed the exhibition online, but I wanted to take a gander in person to view these images I have only seen in books and on the internet. One of those pieces I wanted to see in person was Andy Zermeño’s poster, “No Tomen Gallo (Don’t Drink Gallo)”, which is an iconic UFW image used to boycott Gallo Winery in the early 1970’s.

Remnants of Ramiro Gomez Jr.s “Luxury Interrupted” exhibition

The “No Tomen Gallo (Don’t Drink Gallo)” artwork was exhibited with other UFW and Chicano related pieces outside of the Chicano Studies Research Center Library in a display case at the entrance. Upon entering the CSRC Library the first piece to awake my visual perception was not from Chican@s (re)Imagining Zapata, but from the previously held exhibition, Ramiro Gomez’s, Luxury Interrupted (Pictured above). I visited Ramiro’s home in 2012 (Read here) where I saw the actual Mid-Century sofa he depicted in the artwork (pictured above). Which brought a grin to my face while in conversation with Anita about said piece.

Barrio Bilingual Communications - “Las Carilleras” 1977 

The next poster I was pleased to view in persona from Chican@s (re)Imagining Zapata was Barrio Bilingual Communications - “Las Carilleras”, a thought provoking image of a Chicana who is draped in artillery ammunition, who looks prepared to fight por la causa. Although my favorites had to be the El Taller Gráficos, Black and Red United Farm Worker posters. Which contained images of Mexican heroes, Francisco ‘Pancho’ Villa and Emiliano Zapata.

Malaquis Montoya artwork located inside the Chicano Studies Research Center conference room

While exploring Haines Hall at UCLA, we came upon the Chicano Studies Research Center conference room. Where two more of Mr. Gomez’s artworks were situated along a wall with a large scale serigraph diptych by Chicano master Carlos Almaraz, titled “Mystery in the Park” and three smaller black & white works by master printer Malaquis Montoya, that were located on opposite walls in the conference room. Which were pleasant surprises to discover while on our visit to this recognized institution. The Almaraz work was an exquisite museum worthy piece which was donated to UCLA CSRC.

Visit Chican@s (re)Imagining Zapata exhibit. Runs until May, 10th, 2013 @ the UCLA CSRC Library

More images @ CHICANO ART MOVEMENT Facebook page

City of Coachella’s longest Chicano/Mexican historical timeline mural

CAM:
About a month ago I received a message from Oralia (Yaya), Founder and President of Culturas1 Music & Art through the CHICANO ART MOVEMENT Facebook page. Oralia wrote to me about the project which she was working on with her city. The endeavor she spoke to me about was the longest Chicano/Mexican historical timeline mural in the City of Coachella, California. What interested me about Culturas1 Music & Arts project was the community involvement of the beautification of their city. I wanted share what they were doing in Coachella, so I asked Oralia if she would send me some images and a write up to share with all the CHICANO ART MOVEMENT readers and beyond to help promote the feat they are on the verge of accomplishing.

If you would like to visit City of Coachella’s longest Chicano/Mexican historical timeline mural it is located at: 85-471 Bagdad Ave on Shady Lane. Or if you would like Information for tours or questions can be addressed to Ruben Gonzalez, Projects Coordinator or email Culturas1 Music & Art.

Artists, Curators, galleries and museums! Culturas1 Music & Art is looking for Chicano and Mexican art exhibitions to travel to their city. If you have a exhibition which you would like to show to the Coachella Valley masses connect with them.
As Oralia (Culturas Music & Art) said: “It would be awesome to see what the great City of Los Angeles is doing and expose the beautiful arte that is being created or have creating for years.”
Contact them here: culturas1@aol.com

More images at: CHICANO ART MOVEMENT Facebook page
via Culturas Music & Arts:
Culturas Music & Arts (CMA), mission is to support all individuals to form strong positive community values, cultural understanding, and artistic awareness within themselves and others by ensuring a safe, healthy, educational environment that promotes art, music, dance, and theater.
In 2008 a small group of local Coachella residents were concerned with the lack of public art programs in our community. Culturas Music & Arts was formed to try and addressed those issues.

In the late 70’s early 80’s a mural was painted depicting Chicano History by Artistas del Valle, a group of young Chicano artists. The Chicano mural was never finished due to lack of funds. Years passed and the mural began to fade and wall began to collapse, years later a new wall took its place.
In 2009 CMA began to organize to replace a whole new mural. We submitted a proposal to the City of Coachella for funding of material and paint. CMA requested and posted a call for artists. All artists would be on a volunteer basis. A panel of 3 committee members would oversee and would be responsible for picking the artists. Each artist was assigned a 6’ x 50” panel and was given a historical timeline to research, and then an accurate sketch of the timeline had to be submitted for approval. Once approved, the artist would either sketch free hand or project in black and white, and then sketched. The research provided an opportunity to gain knowledge of important events; contributions and struggles Chicano/Mexicans people. Each panel is different in style and shows the individual talents and styles of each artist. The mural (research was done) is the second longest historical timeline mural in California that we know of and we are proud to have painted in the City of Coachella. The mural actually began in 2011.

The beginning of the mural reads; this mural is dedicated to the mystic City of Aztlan and the great people of the Mexica, past, present and future.
Artists and their timeline;
Pre-Columbian; Victor Pacillo & Chris Pacillo
Colonization; Chris Sanchez
Mexican Independence; Cuahtemoc Aldrete
Mexican/Spanish War; The Alamo, Los Ninos Heros, Cece & Ryan Bowens.
French/Mexican War; Cinco De Mayo, Sal Gomez, George Mendez, Pedro Facio
Mexican Revolution; “Dreamer” (sketch), Kimberley Garcia, Keila Cupil,
Mexican Folklore; Cortez, Vasquez, Murrieta; Frank & Oscar Lemus
Zoot Riots, Chavez Ravine; Gina Ortega, Johnny Esquivel
War 1&11, Chris Redman, Moe Ramos, Robbie Ochoa, Jerry Cervantes
Mexican Artists, Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, Jose Cemente Sequiros, David A. Orozco, Lorena Carrington; Princess Ramirez
A small mural of La IIorna; Princessa Ramierz
Mosic of the Virgen; Ruben R Gonzalez
Mexican Golden Era of Music & Film; Keila Cupil
The Braceros Period; Joe Noe Hernandez
Chicano Music Wave; Date Farmers
Chicanos in Vietnam; Chris Redman, Landon Johnson
Cesar Chavez & UFW’s; Jesus Gonzalez, Octavio Gonzalez
Chicano Movement; Raices Members, Gabriel Perez, Carlos Gonzalez, Tone Rubio
Lowrider Movement; (Still need to be finished) Jerry Cervantes, Robbie Ochoa, J J Perez,
Chicanos in Government and leadership; Jesus Olivares
At the end of the mural, some small images of Chicanos in education
Around the corner of the wall an image of Aztec Peloteros and images of the 52 cycles, (Which is pretty interesting because the mural ends in the corner of Ave 52).

Besides these artists there have been many volunteers, often local residents who just wanted to assist, help paint something. It’s been a great journey. I find it a relief that we are almost done, yet there is sadness. The mural has been our life, we slept, drank mural. But, I must say I can’t wait to finish it up in the next two weeks so we can start a new project.

Photos courtesy of: Bri Urena

More info on CMA visit: Culturas1 Music & Art Facebook