Conde, Daniela - Week 7

In the essay by Claudia E. Zapata titled “Chicano Graphics in the Digital Age” (2020) we are introduced to the sociopolitical background of the 1980s and the expanding relationship between Chicanx/Xicanx artists/art and digital technologies. From my understanding, Zapata writes about the ways Chicano artists have continued to challenge injustices faced by their communities, enacted digital solidarities, and shaped new ways of interacting with art making processes as well as sharing their work with the public. Zapata writes: “digital modalities offer new opportunities to visualize political resistance, and they define the ongoing adaptive role of the artist as cultural agitator” (Zapata, 2020, p. 131). Xicanx artists, in the digital age, have not only adapted to changes in technological developments but also ushered new ways of resisting systemic oppression. An example of this is artist Julio Salgado who identifies as an undocuqueer artist and uses online avenues to share his art, build community, and engage in activist and cultural change. As Zapata explains, “digital platforms provide undocuqueer online users with increased mobility, intimacy, and often anonymity, together with a community and sense of empowerment to move their declarations off-line, if they choose” (Zapata, 2020, p. 140). Another example is artist Favianna Rodriguez, who on her website shares videos, tutorials, and templates for social justice oriented work and activism, such as her “Migration is Beautiful” monarch butterfly that has been used extensively in protests for immigrant justice movements. This new way of engaging with the community extends the work of an artist and expands the possibilities of art making and sharing their work, especially in the growing use of social media platforms such as facebook, instagram and twitter among others. Xicanx artists continue to be adaptive and creative in navigating digital technologies. Yet, they continue to be active and vocal in raising concerns about injustices just as much as in the early 1980s. Digital technologies have expanded the possibilities of art making and Xicanx artists have also grown alongside these changes and have been trailblazers in the digital arts as well.