Christian and Ramon Cardenas and their installation "Los Dos (Make Shift)" in 2015 at Juarez Contemporary.
In Chicanx culture, Rasquachismo describes an attitude, style, and sense of living. It is associated with the working class, and making use of what is present. Rasquachismo means being unrestrained, creative, handy, playful, and bold. Although some may associate it with the negative connotation of having bad taste, we should not limit Rasquachismo to this. The bittersweet stories of Don Chipote epitomize the ideas of Rasquachismo; during his move to the US, he uses his wit, robust yet sometimes dark humor, and adaptability to get through the struggles of his everyday life. He may even be considered an underdog in some ways, which is also associated with being a rasquache. A Domesticana is simply a Chicana rasquache. Domesticanas, like rasquaches, grew out of resistance to majority culture. Therefore, they have a certain bold attitude associated with defiance. Societal norms want to constrict Chicana to femininity, motherhood, and subordination, however, many resisted to this. Both Domesticana and Rasquache art make the most out of the least. Everyday objects or scraps are often used and put together to create something bold and unique. Reusing and recycling are large parts of Domesticana and Rasquache art. A popular form of this art is seen in religious shrines, which can be surrounded by simple yet meaningful everyday objects. In all art, bright colors, clashing textures, and a variety of shapes are used. Although it may sound chaotic to some, this art should be appreciated, as it radiates a unique sense of creativity and culture. Although the picture I am attaching is not my own, it is one that stood out to me. In an Architectural Digest article titled "We Should All be Celebrating this Powerful Chicanx Aesthetic," I found a photo of a couple standing in front of an installation they made called "Los Dos." It embodied Rasquache/Domesticana art, and was inspired by the ruteras, or repurposed buses, they saw in their childhood.
Bella, I was so happy to see your reference to Don Chipote! I actually wrote my Honors Thesis at Berkeley on that particular novel and its author, Daniel Venegas. Turns out he was a cobbler in Mexico and migrated here during the revolution. He started a newspaper called "El Malcriado" and was an artist and author for it. I didn't think too much of the rasquache character of that book and, now that I think of it, its author. Thanks for that. I'll have to revisit the novel.
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