Rasquachismo is defined as a perspective from the bottom or as an underdog in a world that gives no assistance. In an art context, Rasquachismo can be seen repurposing items from being “useless” to “useful”. There is an inventive spirit within rasquachismo art that shows Chicanos can make something beautiful with everyday items. Rasquachismo art typically recycles tires, bottles, and string in order to showcase the underdog perspective of the Chicana community. The art form also includes a sense of resistance towards traditional ideas of beauty in visual art. When thinking about Eurocentric art, it typically involves a sense of grandeur and wealth, this view is subverted in Rasquachismo art, and the world is shown to be beautiful through a working class view.
The concept of rasquachismo can be partially seen in the art of Yolanda Lopez, who used the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe in order to glorify the working class women in the Chicano community. Mixing a religious image of veneration to include working class women sewing and doing daily activities shows how rasquachismo shows the world from an underdog lens. Glorifying the working class aspect of the Chicano experience and using everyday objects to create pieces of art meant to show a difference from traditional Eurocentric art pieces.
Domesticana is a word that shows the resistance and growth of Chicana artists making their own art form apart from a male dominated space. Rasquachismo is typically seen from a male Chicano perspective, while Domesticana is much more female-oriented. While Rasquachismo is meant to have a sense of resistance towards Eurocentrism in art, Domesticana is meant to show a further resistance towards a patriarchal world and art form. Going back to Yolanda’s art pieces, we can see a liberation in traditionally feminine spaces like the sewing room or in strong female figures such as the abuelita. Domesticana is meant to celebrate women and their contributions to society apart from their relationships to men.
Hi Nicholas, while reading your post I came across the part where you noticed how "rasquachismo" is seen in the art of Yolanda Lopez's work. I didn't make that connection until you mentioned it. Great job on your post.
ReplyDeleteI love the picture you provided here. I lived in the bay area for a couple of years and I would see these types of modifications done to people's cars all the time. In terms of a vehicle, I love how these modifications walk the fine line between legality and illegality. The freedom and inspiration to adorn a vehicle that is licensed by the state and to push those boundaries is super interesting if you really think about it. I know artists who often go dumpster diving to find materials with which to create art. This, in an of itself, is a rebellious act, especially when it means jumping fences, opening private trash bins, etc.
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