This Wednesday–Speak Up!
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Category Archives: art
County Razors
Its always the little things. Those seemingly trivial daily indignities take on a whole different layer of importance once its framed within a context. For example, behind bars. The fact that someone would take the time after being let out to make us aware that the razors in county really suck, then you know it must be a unique shaving experience. Yet another reason to hold off on that unscheduled large withdrawal from the bank. Well, for a little while at least. Still, an effective public warning to the pelones.
Calavera Fashion Show & Walking Altars 2009
Okay, so I know I’m kinda late with this post. I mean, we already got a post up about Tropico de Nopal’s Calavera Fashion Show but seriously, what’s a full-time working gal who just came back from two fabulous weeks in Mexico supposed to do? Stay up late to edit photos and try and figure out which artist did which creation? Yeah, I guess so…(sigh).
Anyways, I’m not sure who the target audience for this fashion show is supposed to be. I don’t think it’s me, so I will refrain (or at least try to) from commenting too much on what I saw that night. I mostly went to support friends and to stand for hours in uncomfortable shoes and endure the constant leaning and pushing of a young girl behind me (who I hope was drunk because there was no other good reason for her getting all up in my personal space the way she did) but I digress…On to the fashion show!
By the way, my camera was being totally uncooperative that night. It’s a cheap little thing not well equipped for nighttime photography so pardon the blurriness. Or just consider the fuzzy photos my artistic touch. It won’t be the last time you stretch your notions of artistic good taste in this post!
Rastros y Crónicas, New Exhibit at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago
Yes, I agree with the curator of Rastros y Crónicas , we need gender equality. As one of the artists in this exhibit, I am grateful for the latest addition of the National Museum of Mexican Art to this struggle for justice in Ciudad Juarez, now in its 16th year. However, I am not sure why this is a Mexican woman or Latina matter as portrayed by the curation of this exhibit. Many of the artists who have been diligent with touring protest exhibits (on Juarez) throughout Mexico and here on the west coast are males. I understand the aesthetics of exhibits–but what a powerful statement we make—when we are all united as one to speak out publicly against injustices. We cannot ask the world culture towards women to change, when we (ourselves) are not equal in our actions and everyday practices.
Rastros y Crónicas, Exhibit at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago
Opening Reception October 16, 2009, 6-8 pm
Exhibition runs through February 14, 2010The RubÃn and Paula Torres Gallery and The Kraft Gallery
Since 1993, more then 500 women have been killed
in Ciudad Juárez in the northern Mexican state of
Chihuahua. For some time now, Mexican and Mexican
American artists have been sensitive to the subject
of Women of Juarez and have worked on diverse
projects to share their perspective on this disturbing
situation. read more
The Fifth Ecology: Los Angeles Beyond Desire
I love L.A. and there is nothing I would change about this beautiful city, except maybe peoples attitudes but that’s another story. Gallery 727 and Department of Architecture at the Royal University Collage of Fine Arts in Stockholm and the Latino Urban Forum present what will be a great show on how L.A. can survive without fossil fuel.
A Cine sin Fin Quinceañera
I am ecstatic about the 15th Annual East LA Chican@ Film Festival, Cine sin fin this year. I never really heard about it until last year and from looking at past years, a lot of great movies have been screened here. This year all the movies that are to be screened are in one location in Boyle Heights, Casa 0101. See ya there. Bring Popcorn, tapatio and limon. 🙂
Screening Dates: Nov. 12, 13, 14, 20 and 21
Film and Event Program Schedule:
Thursday, Nov. 12th, VIP Reception, 7 pm
Special Screening: Casa Libre (Documentary – Dir. by Roberto S. Oregel) at Brooklyn & Boyle, 2003 East 1st St., LA, CA 9033
Friday, Nov. 13th,
Silent Shame (Feature- Dir. by Dalia Tapia) & Opening Night Party. 8 pm at Casa 0101 Annex, 2102 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90033
Saturday, Nov. 14th, • Documentary Focus, 8 pm
Purepecha: Poorest of the Poor (Documentary Short – Dir. by Cheryl Quintanta Leader)
As Long As I Remember: American Veteranos (Feature Documentary – Dir. by Laura Varela) at Casa 0101 Annex, 2102 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA, 90033
Friday, Nov. 20, 8 pm
Reel Polemic (Short – Dir. by Elias Serna)
Intimidad (Feature – Dir. by Ashley Sabin) at Casa 0101 Annex, 2102 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90033
Saturday, Nov. 21, 8 pm
Tijuaneros (Short – Dir. by Paul Bobadilla)
Between Stories (Feature – Dir. by Domingo Vara) at Casa 0101 Annex, 2102 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90033
Contact:
A La Brava Producciones Revolucionarias
673 South Fickett St.
Los Angeles, CA 90033
(323) 265-2344
cinesinfin@gmail.com
www.alabrava.com
Calavera Fashion Show and Walking Altars 2009
Even though I missed this years fashion show at Tropico de Nopal, which I continue to kick myself for, I found some pics on flickr from photog LA-dude-taking pics. He got some great shots from behind the scenes tambien, which I would do anything to be able to go back stage and do what he did. Anything !! Any-who, I noticed the new pics that were uploaded on the LAEastside flickr pool.
The Visual Poetry of DoD captured by Wendy Carrillo
¡Bravo¡ LoLa ¡Bravo¡: Super Cool
Off Valley Blvd and Eastern Avenue, East Los Angeles
“Cholo Writing: Latino Gang Graffiti in Los Angeles”
photo from "Cholo Writing"
“Cholo Writing: Latino Gang Graffiti in Los Angeles”
by Francois Chastanet with forward by Chaz Bojorquez.
This book gives Mexican-American ‘cholo’ writing its proper recognition and respect as “the oldest form of name graffiti of the 20th century.” Focusing on L.A. ‘cholo” writing styles from an aesthetic point of view, evident long before the explosion of tags and pieces of the early 1970’s.
Cover of "Cholo Writing"
Cholo writing is the oldest form of graffiti in the 20th century, evident in Los Angeles long before the appearance of tags and pieces in the early 1970s New York. It is a Mexican American phenomenom with a unique aesthetic based on blackletter typography, used for street bombing by the latino gangs. In the 1970s, Californian citizen Howard Gribble photographed examples of Latino gang graffiti over a wide geographic area in order to encompass a larger variety of styles, with the simultaneous idea of portraying Los Angeles. More than 30 years later, French typographer Francois Chastanet travelled to the same neighborhoods to photograph the inscriptions of today. (English text in this edition, also available in Swedish)
go to www.dokument.org for more info and to order
Volunteer at Self Help for Dia de los Muertos
This year, Self Help Graphics & Arts celebrates its 36th Annual Dia De Los Muertos in a new location–the East Los Angeles Civic Center, in Belvedere Lakeside Park. With so much space we are able to expand SHG booths to accommodate more of our faithful vendors, increase the kid’s arts space, and expand the entertainment area. This year, we need many more volunteers than ever before. As an experienced Day of the Dead volunteer, we are asking that you join our efforts by giving us your time to make our signature event a dynamic and memorable evening for all who participate. Our main event will take place on Monday, November 2, 2009 between 5 PM-11 PM. We can use your help with event set up, event design and décor installation, face painting, vendor assistance, entrance guardians and event breakdown. For those who cannot assist in the main event, other opportunities to volunteer at Self Help Graphics & Art (in the Upper Level of the building located at 3802 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave., Los Angeles, 90063) are:
· Workshop assistants on Saturdays in October between 12 PM – 4 PM
· Noche De Ofrenda, Saturday, October 24th, 2009 5 PM to 10 PM
· Deadly Stylish Art Exhibit Opening, Sunday, November 1st 4-8 PM
· Deadly Stylish Art Exhibit Docent, Tuesday, November 3-28*
*Additional training required, Docent schedules to be determined upon availability. As you can see, there are many opportunities for you to participate in. We are requesting:
· A three-hour commitment per shift and
· Attendance to one brief Volunteer Training Session at Self Help Graphics on:
Tuesday, October 20, at 7 PM or Thursday, October 22 at 7 PM. If you’re interested in volunteering, please read and fill out the attached volunteer form, email it to volunteer@selfhelpgraphics.com.
Click here to download volunteer application
Muy Agradecidos,
Day of the Dead Volunteer Committee
Self Help Graphics & Art
Things You See While Driving…
Highland Park, CA. Somewhere on Figueroa. October ’09.