Rasquachismo is being innovative and resourceful with what we are already given in our lifes which tends to be prominent in the Chicano/a culture. I grew up visting my grandparents in a small ranch where I practiced rasquachismo on a daily basis and this became a part of my life. At first it began with small gestures such as using soda bottles to replant flowers that I liked or reusing plastic containers to store food. Once I grew older, I still began to see these ideas being recreated in other spaces. One of my favorite forms of rasquachismo is this place called "East Jesus" it is located in Niland, California. People here live off the grid and are forced to be resourceful because of the lack of resources. One of the quotes I like states, "Rasquachismo is neither an idea nor a style but more of an attitude or taste." They certainly have a taste for art! They have created an entire community and art exhibition on items that may have not been of us to others. One of my favorites is the exhibition of stacked TV's painted with different quotes that are thought evoking. Whenever I visit these places it allows me to be appreciative of the things I have and reminds me that I am not limited. I apply this to my own life as well as a low-income designer, I always had to find ways to innovate to execute my ideas. I found myself going to thrift stores and using random items to recreate new ones because fabric is expensive at craft stores. The idea of rasquachismo created my own taste and perspectives in life, I believe it is essential to be innovative and create without limitations. I do not believe that it should be looked down upon or considered negatively because it is essential to many peoples life. It can be as simple as reusing small items to designing a brand new commodity through used items.
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