Self Help Art Sale & Free Burrito
Michael Sedano
Manuel and Manuel, Jr. made it on time. We said our graces for PatZ and
Pomponio (who woulda loved the gallo giro at the gallery) and Nopalito.
There were a couple of Juan Diego-costumed folks showed up but they were in a
religious reverie and I couldn't wake them up when the Maitre 'd called our
table.
The only bad part of it, raza & SCMA-ers, other than you folks who didn't show
up, was Urrutia didn't believe me when I said I'd buy.
For you art critics: there was only one taco on display, a visual pun on
holiness.
Replacing cunning images, Sor Juana seems to have captured the imagination of
woman artistas, while loteria figures continue as expressive resources for some
printmakers.
Other than one vivid "viva la raza" print -- which I loved but wouldn't hang --
and a couple of tatooed vato prints, raza art seems to be moving away from the
freedom now! militancy of movement things, resting, perhaps comfortably
ensconced, in an accomplished liberation where images call upon traditional
stuff absent the chest pounding. We are the movement and need not shout it out.
We have anger, but we are not anger personified. Cesar and Dolores were there,
as icons and homenajes, not as calls to arms. Colorist motives dominate, but
this may owe as much to the serigraph process as artistic inclination. Crafting
skill seems to be reaching more uniform, higher levels. Very few pieces
embarrass the artist and gallery.
Progress, raza, progress.
For details click on
<A
HREF="http://www.selfhelpgraphics.com/galeria.htm">http://www.selfhelpgrap
hics.com/galeria.htm</A>
The free burrito, and the show & sale event, concluded Sunday afternoon, but
you can still buy stuff at the gallery itself through July 25. I may go back
this week to buy this one piece i hesitated on today. If I dream of it, I'll be
back.
And if you still want a free Tepeyac Burrito, wait til next show.
mvs
--
RAZA, Read!
Michael Sedano
Mse...@aol.com
http://members.aol.com/msedano/mvs.html
c/s
J. Manuel Urrutia
>
> Update on Self Help Graphic gallery annual print sale and fundraiser.
>
> Manuel and Manuel, Jr. made it on time. We said our graces for PatZ and
> Pomponio (who woulda loved the gallo giro at the gallery) and Nopalito.
We did? I don't recall, but I do remember that shot of Cuervo that you
downed. Was that it? ("Hasta no verte, angel mio!")
SNIP...
> The only bad part of it, raza & SCMA-ers, other than you folks who didn't show
> up, was Urrutia didn't believe me when I said I'd buy.
I must confess that I don't recall him writing that. But he did write it
and I had to reluctantly agree so as not to make a scene. I can be a
grateful gorro'n.
> For you art critics: there was only one taco on display, a visual pun on
> holiness.
I thought it was the "ojo de Dios." But it was a pun on the hole, which,
thankfully, was literally covered with a "ojo."
> Replacing cunning images, Sor Juana seems to have captured the imagination of
Although it was tied to Zapatista imagery, thus, I think that the idea
of Juana de Asbaje is slightly out of context here (an upper class woman
equated with a peasant one as an allegory for the need for freedom?)
> woman artistas, while loteria figures continue as expressive resources for some
> printmakers.
Maybe diversification will come later...
SNIP...
> Progress, raza, progress.
Yes, but is it art? ;-)
--
* J. Manuel Urrutia | En tierra de ciegos, *
* urrutia...@ucla.edu (remove TAKEOUT!) | el tuerto es rey *
Nopalito
mse...@aol.com (Michael Sedano) wrote:
> Manuel and Manuel, Jr. made it on time. We said our graces for PatZ
> and
> Pomponio (who woulda loved the gallo giro at the gallery) and
> Nopalito.
Well thanks for the thoughts, our SoCal amigos! I'm sure we woulda if we
coulda.
Moreover, thanks very much for the report and commentary/update. I'm
interested in learning more about the history of Self Help
Graphics...any suggestions, anyone?
- Dean
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Share what you know. Learn what you don't.
Chapulin Colorado
Have you seen their website?
www.selfhelpgraphics.com
The folks that run the place are wonderful! Very dedicated and responsive
to the community. They offer art classes as well as providing a space for
the numerous benefits and gigs that happen down here.
When you come down to LA, you should definately check them out!
Anita
--
Remove NOSPAM from e-mail address
Nopalito <nopa...@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:7l8e75$o86$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...
Nopalito
"Chapulin Colorado" <chanfle...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> Hey Dean!
>
> Have you seen their website?
> www.selfhelpgraphics.com
Yes, thanks a lot. Michael was nice enough to also send me the URL, but
I'm glad you posted it publicly, too.
> The folks that run the place are wonderful! Very dedicated and
> responsive
> to the community. They offer art classes as well as providing a space
> for
> the numerous benefits and gigs that happen down here.
> When you come down to LA, you should definately check them out!
Thanks a million, Anita, I definately will, although I'm not sure how
soon I'll be able to get down there. We in 'Frisco have some great
places like Galleria de la Raza and Precita Eyes (a vigorous mural
project) as well as the Mission Cultural Center. Supposedly the Mexican
Museum (which frequently features Chicano art) is moving into a new,
large building at the Yerba Buena Center, but I think they're having
some serious funding issues...too bad.
Anyway, I'm always interested to hear what's happening in Raza arts
around the country...L.A. is obviously the capital. (Sorry, NYC!)
By the way, I forgot to before, but wanted to thank you for your kind
words regarding our Son Jarocho discussions. I really enjoyed 'em. Do
you know the Los Lobos song "Saint Behind the Glass?" The lyrics are in
English, but the song structure and instruments are muy Veracruzana.
Really pretty song. You might give it a listen if you get a chance.
Chapulin Colorado
sort of communities that exist (or maybe I should say existed before yuppie
domination of SF) in places like the Mission.
But yes, there does seem to be an ever growing movement here of politically
oriented art and music inspired by the continuing struggle of the
Zapatistas. There are many interesting things happening around these parts
and I think the movement will continue to progress.
In fact, for anyone interested, this fourth of July will be "A Farce of
July" show held at Aztlan Cultural Foundation in Lincoln Heights (the old LA
city jail). There will be loads of bands, speakers and performances. The
donations will help send a delegation down to Chiapas. It's going on all day
so you all have time to stop by between the bar-b-ques.
I haven't heard the Los Lobos song "Saint Behind the Glass" but I'll look
out for it. Are you familiar with "El Llorar" the son jarocho song I
recommended in AMM? You know how people will describe a song by saying "mean
guitar"? This song has a "mean violin"! If you want to hear it, I can always
send out an mp3.
All musical and literary recommendations gladly accepted!
Thanks again,news:7ldoea$mgk$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...
Nopalito
"Chapulin Colorado" <chanfle...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> It's hard to have a "scene" here in LA, the city is too large to have
> the
> sort of communities that exist (or maybe I should say existed before
> yuppie
> domination of SF) in places like the Mission.
Grrrr...you touch a raw nerve, amiga. The Yuppification that's
apparently in the national news is very real, and IMO it's an ugly
thing. Lots of corrupt back-room zoning-avoidance deals going down,
thanks to our royalist mayor and his greedy, shortsighted cronies. But
the Mission remains the Mission for now, for the most part. It's
definately not dead just yet. (I just made a breakfast date with some
friends for Chava's, a great home-style Mexican restaurant that's a
much-loved Mission institution. Our theme is "let's keep going there
before Starbucks buys it!") The weird thing about the juxtaposition of
the newer Yuppies and the resident multi-Latino communities in the
Mission is how they don't seem to mix at all. Like oil and vinegar in
the same jar. Part of what attracts the Yups is "local color," but they
act like they're God's gift to the 'hood, simultaneously terrified of
catching germs by looking at anyone not shiney-happy like themselves. I
was in a bakery on 24th Street 'round last year's Day of the Dead, and
these expensively-dressed Pacific Heights (wealthy neighborhood) type
ladies walked in and started asking *me* all kinds of questions about
the pan muerte and sugar calaveras...you know, let's ask the
unthreatening gringo. I answered a couple but then said, "The owner is
right there, he's very nice and he can answer your questions a lot
better than me. Don't worry, he speaks English." One of them said "oh,"
like I had been rude or something. They didn't approach the owner. They
shrugged and walked out. Maybe they thought it was a museum? A small
vignette, but you see this kind of thing all the time in there now. It's
like they want to be *in* the neighborhood, but not *of* it, if that
makes any sense. Tourists in their own city. Anyway, changing times... I
worry that the old families will be forced out into the suburbs and lose
long-standing neighborhood ties. I guess that story has been told many
times in the L.A. area, too, at least based on things I've read.
I fully understand about the L.A. area. Folks in that region had to find
ways to forge "virtual" communities long before the 'net.
> But yes, there does seem to be an ever growing movement here of
> politically
> oriented art and music inspired by the continuing struggle of the
> Zapatistas.
As I understand Chicano arte has been alive and well for a long time
now. I get a kick out of what's happening in the music scenes, too.
Listening to Los Mocosos as I type this...
> I haven't heard the Los Lobos song "Saint Behind the Glass" but I'll
> look
> out for it.
Their trad. album "El Pistola y el Corazon" has a few great Veracruzana
numbers, too...El Gusto, La Guacamaya, etc. That album will always be a
classic. They have a new one coming out on the 20th. They're a national
treasure IMO.
Are you familiar with "El Llorar" the son jarocho song I
> recommended in AMM?
Yes, I have a couple of versions, and you're right...it's very haunting
and beautiful. A song with that title *should* be haunting!
> You know how people will describe a song by saying
> "mean
> guitar"? This song has a "mean violin"!
Cool, but now I'm slightly confused...is this actually a Huasteco son? I
can't think of any Jarocho conjuntos I've heard with violin. Usually
it's the Huasteca music which features incredible violin improvisation.
Sorry if I'm wrong...I'll look up the song over the weekend.
> If you want to hear it, I can
> always
> send out an mp3.
That's really nice of you, but it's possible I already have it...what's
the group's name?
> All musical and literary recommendations gladly accepted!
Same here...it's always a pleasure. Watch (especially) msedano's posts
for occaisional, great book reviews. Or write some of your own...people
will appreciate it.
> Thanks again,
> Anita
Thank you, too, Anita. Hope to see more posts from you soon.