Perez, Armando "Course Evaluations Essay"

     I took this course in Chicana-x and Latina-X because the topic of the course sounded interesting and it was reflective on the history specifically of Chicana and Latina and LGBTQ women and the roles they played and continue to play that address issues that question social norms. The professor Alma Lopez Gaspar De Alba and this course was recommended by another student who enjoyed the class was very complimentary towards professor Lopez and how she taught the course. I had not read previously the course objective was meant to be treated as an activist project to attempt to get unrecognized Chicana-x and Latina-x onto Wikipedia.  This activist research project seemed very important and I wanted to help build a presence on social networks for people to search and see how many Chicana-x and Latina-x artists contributed and are still working trying to create change and educate others all around the world.  

    To be honest the task seemed more than I was comfortable with sense I have some reservations about writing and am not very skilled with computers and big projects. Eve though, I decided to move forward with the course and told myself I could do this if I have been successful at completing all my other courses. I found professor Lopez very nice and approachable and very willing to be helpful in answering any questions or concerns we all had. The Syllabus was very well outlined and the course schedule was very helpful to keep us on track. I appreciated that professor Lopez was willing to work with us in any way she could and offered extra credit to help raise our grades if needed. The TA Christian was also very helpful knowledgeable and willing to meet and problem solve any of our concerns. Unfortunately, I did not take advantage of these opportunities like I should have and let my embarrassment of my struggle get in the way and suffered because of it. 

    I struggled in some parts of the Wikipedia project and training and fell behind. I enjoyed the course overall and the readings assigned. learning about the Chicana-x and Latina-x movement was something new and exciting and enjoyed the quests speakers and the lessons and discussions. I found the workload for me a little stressful but I am a slow and not ambitious reader. I did enjoy sharing in class and it was nice to see the professor engaged with us through zoom. I appreciated that the lessons were recorded and available resource and that office hours were easy and always open.

    I appreciated that the professor was part of making in this history of women artists paving the way for other Chicana women and her personal experience and knowledge was additional benefit that made lectures more interesting. The Wikipedia training module was well configured and probably very user friendly but I am not very user comfortable which made it difficult for me and I only regret allowing myself to get overwhelmed and missed out on truly enjoying the class to its fullest. 

In closing, I wanted to say thank you to both professor Alma Lopez Gaspar de Alba and to Christian for doing a great job and using their platform as activist and educators to help bring awareness and positive change for the Chicana-x and Latina-x and LGBTQ-x communites  I would definitley recommend her class to other studentsin the future.  

Perez, Armando Student Scholarship Award Show ( Extra Credit)

     I want to say that it was an honor to attend the Student Scholarship Award Show in the Broad White Gallery this last week. The gallery was filled with several works of art from various artists and mediums. I myself had a piece on exhibition in the show. Each of the students selected presented some amazing works of art each with their own unique expression. 

    Brenda Barrios, a senior presented a work that was of large-scale painting. The painting was a combination of flat surface painting and part sculptural. The colors, size, and style of Brenda's painting reminds me of Mexican mural paintings. The canvas surface painting is flat and one dimensional and comprised of bright colors. The border around the painting is made of large sections of fabric that have been filled giving the appearance of a three-dimensional organic fluffy textile that frames the main canvas painting.    Below the large canvas is a draped textile fabric that reaches the ground in a bright colored green textile that Brenda painted three flowers that have been added on top of the fabric adding another two-dimensional sculptural element to the lower part of the work.

    The narrative within the work is based on a day in the life of Brenda and her family, where she paints her family outdoors gardening and enjoying time together. It is clear that Brenda and her family share a close bond and that she shares her pride them in her painting. The painting is done mainly in acrylics but Brenda has used sand and has been experimenting with making some of her own paint. You can see the texture of the sand where it was used in the textile below the canvas where Brenda painted the three big flowers. The painting conveys a peaceful and relaxing day all spending the day outside doing something they enjoy and evokes the warm lovely feelings that Brenda has for her family.

I also enjoyed meeting Perry "Picasshoe", who's work I found was infused with lots of whimsical surrealist quality. The painting measured approximately 5 ft tall by 3 ft wide and appeared to oil on canvas. The painting was of a human like heart with eyes, The colors were bright yellow, orange and red. surrounding the heart and eyes were three honey bees' and the heart was incased in what appeared like another large yellow organ and vein like canal surrounded by drops of dripping honey all around they heart with eyes. 

    The eyes seem to express a sadness or emotion that could be a suggestion or a feeling being judged for and appears vulnerable and they honey expressing how sweet he or she is. This may be seen as a self-portrait of Perry or just a conversation for viewers to question. The phrase " Don't judge a book by its cover" comes to mind. Alongside the painting, Perry had a small heart shaped shelf with business cards he designed himself and viewers were allowed to take one.

     It was nice meeting Perry and I enjoyed the confidence he shows in his work and in the way he embodies who he is and how he lets the world see him. not many people feel comfortable or know themselves like I believe Perry does and his work is proof of his big and colorful personality. 

    

Perez, Armando Wikipedia Draft (Brenda Barrios) Week 6

 

Brenda Barrios is a multidisciplinary Chicanx artist, and a feminist activist who makes work that raises awareness of issues related to topics of inequality among Chicana/o-x and Latina/o-x communities. 

Early Life and Education

 Brenda Barrios was born in Los Angeles, California and raised in Pasadena, California. She attended college at Pasadena City College where she graduated with an associate degree in fashion design and studio arts. While studying at Pasadena College 2018, Brenda was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease which drove her to contemplate what she wanted to accomplish in life. It was then that Brenda realized she wanted to be an advocate for marginalized groups and at the same time be a face for people living with disabilities. Currently, Brenda is working on her bachelor’s degree in fine arts at University of California Los Angeles where she continues to apply her art to the same causes. She hopes to further center her attention on developing her educational and career goals.

Art

Brenda's uses bright colors that are inspired by her Mexican heritage and cultural upbringing. Brenda's work is reminiscent of the one-dimensional painting style of early traditional Mexican paintings. Brenda's art has been commissioned for several campaigns that use murals and poster art as a way to advertise and bring awareness. Her decision to focus on causes of social injustice has been something that largely has impacted the art she makes and the audience it is intended for. 

Notable Works or Selected Works. Also Exhibitions, Projects, Collections

Art

·         Medicare for All Los Angeles Traveling Mural

·         Vaccinations for the Entire Community

·         Essential Workers

·         Black Lives Matter Oakland Station 2020

·         New York at Langone Hospital Manhattan Projected Mural for Amplifier Art For Open 2020

·         London UK W1curates Art Installation for Amplifier Open Arts 2020

·         Los Angeles Traveling Show Mural For @calEndow 2021

·         Boston Court Pasadena Six Feet Apart 2020-2021

·         San Bernardino Mural for Facebook and Facebook Open Arts 2021

·         Large scale mural art installations across the US and Canada for Facebook Open Arts 2021

·         Sgia Expo Art Screen Printing Competition at Las Vegas

Exhibitions

·         Self Help Graphics and Art Dia De Los Muertos in Los Angeles

·         Pasadena Art Plus Design Open Market Old Town Pasadena

·         LA Art Night The Last Book Store in Los Angeles

·         Viva Muxer Art Event at The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA)

·         Frida Khalo Artist Exhibition Gallery in Long Beach

·         The Pasadena Art Night Mini Grant 2017

·         Pasadena Museum of History 2017

External Links

            Articles

•          https://dailybruin.com/2020/10/29/with-bold-strokes-student-uses-her-art-as-medium-for-activism
•          https://shoutoutla.com/meet-brenda-barrios-artist
•          https://pcccourier.com/main-story/art-activism-alumna-brenda-barrios-ucla-rock-the-vote.html

            Show Links

•          https://exhibitions.art.ucla.edu/brenda-barrios/
•          https://bostoncourtpasadena.org/evets/community-art
•          https://www.coloradoboulevard.net/tag/light-bringer-project-featured-artists-brenda-barrios/

            References

Perez, Armando "Graphic Revolution"

The Rise and Impact of Chicano Graphics, 1965 to Now, is a notable example of the determination of the Chicana/o movement and artists to adapt to change and seize the opportunity to embrace the future of technology. As we all have been learning repeatedly that the Mexican, Latinos, people of color, and the marginalized groups of society are poorly represented and often negatively characterized. Having the digital world to navigate and make connections allows them to take back their identity and empowers them to share their stories and reveal the inequities and injustices while building an online presence and solidarity with their community.

The issue of time is always a sensitive topic when valuable information helps inform and motivate change that can disrupt the outdated and rejected colonial views of the past. Through different digital and technical advances Chicana/o artists have learned to digitalize their work and continue keeping the Chicana/o movement alive to further the fight towards the injustice that has impacted and continues to impact their lives. This digital graphic world has allowed artists and activist to reach larger audience here in the United States and internationally, that has mobilized thousands to join the efforts in movements like the Chicano movement and others like Black Lives Matter alive and their communities educated on the struggles they face. There is power through images and all forms of art that can communicate and drive positive change.

The use of digital graphics and revolution was a blessing instead of a hindrance to the Mexican people, Chicano/a, and people of color, and the movements they have inspired. They reached a larger and more diverse community of online audiences and have generated a bond of solidarity and commitment to keep rejecting the inequality and unfair treatment that devalues and controls their lives, the Chicano movement and marginalized people of color. I found this essay by Claudia Zapata and its contributors to be very insightful on the power and use of technical advances that exemplifies how Chicana/o artists continue to use their creativity to change the world we live in.

 

Perez, Armando "Spectacle II Tortillera"

    

   

Spectacle II, "Tortillera", 2015.

  After viewing Xandra Ybarra website and going through the menu of content, I decided to focus on a video performance tilted "Tortillera", 2015. It reminded me of some of the campy drag performances I use to go watch friends in my youth. I have to say that at first I thought the "Tortillera" was about a commentary related to gay women/Lesbians but I believe it was more about the way people go see burlesque shows only to get off on the women taking off their clothes. 

    The part I found very humorous, was when she lifted up her skirt and I was surprised to see a bottle Tapatio, I will never look at another bottle of Tapatio the same way and it will probably make me laugh each time my partner and I dress our food with it. My question for the Xandra Ybarra, is how difficult was it for her to make these types of performances based on some controversial topics knowing of the criticism she would be facing? Also did she always have a sense of comedy in her or did the performance bring it out?, was she supported by family and friends while creating the work. 

Perez, Armando "Papel Picado"

 

Carmen Lomas Garza “Haciendo Papel Picado/Making Paper Cutouts”, 1999, Black Paper Cutout, 22” x 30” (Pg. 84). In this image of the Papel Picado by Garza I have chosen to write about, shows a black and white image done in the aesthetic of the paper cutout style to tell the story of how “Papel Picado” is made and constructed. The scene shows what looks to be a family gathered around a dining room table making the paper cutouts together and the image of the oldest female located on the top side of the image appears to represent a mother figure teaching her children how to make the Papel Picado’s. The mother appears to be explaining to the children how the images within the cutouts each represent aspects of their Mexican heritage and traditional methods of visually making art to aide in storytelling and hopefully they will inspire others to keep the tradition alive for the future.  

Papel Picado is something that is very much one of Carmen Lomas Garza’s visual story-telling techniques and one she is extremely well known for. There is no wonder when one come across one of Garza’s Papel Picado public art panels or the numerous images of Papel Picado found in her paintings that one can recognize how she values the aesthetic imagery of the traditional art within her work. These papel picado works convey a sense of pride for Garza and her family’s heritage, there Mexican traditions, culture, and for her community, Carmen Lomas Garza’s ongoing contributions as a Chicana artists and activist represents a lifetime of love and dedication trying to bring awareness and positive change for the Mexican people and specifically the countless that have seen and experienced the same struggles she witnessed growing up with.

Most Papel Picado/Making Paper Cutouts are usually done in vibrant colors which are in line with the colorful Mexican traditions of painting and in many of the visual arts one may have seen but Garza has taken this art form to different levels and has incorporated them in her works through various mediums like, traditional paper cutouts, metal transformations in the same style of the Papel Picado used for public art and has written several books related to the art form and an easy guide with instructions for anyone wanting to learn and make there own Papel Picado. In my own Family my mother and law and sister in law’s this practice is kept alive. My hope is that everyone who is Mexican or of Mexican heritage will be inspired to make their own and experience the joy the colors bring to home environment and particularly now that we all have more knowledge of their significance. Thank you to Carmen Lomas Garza for sharing her stories and the history of Papel Picado.

Perez, Armando "Rasquachismo" and "Domesticana"

     Rasquachismo as I understand it, comes from being frugal and resourceful, to make good use of what you have around you. It means to be creative and learn how to solve with what objects and things are available to you. After reading the essays written about "Raquachismo and Domesticana", it was easy to identify with Ybarra-Frausto definition of Rasquachismo as being related to the underdog. Being an underdog or identifying as an underdog was something very familiar coming from a family of poor working class Cubans. my brother and came to America with my grandparents on my father's side who experienced the struggles of surviving in Cuba and the daily rationing of food and materials was a reality that left them guarded for life. They saved every penny they could, collected empty plastics, margarine tubs, and vegetable cans. My grandmother would repurpose them as bowls to eat in and the cans for having coffee, which was what they used in Cuba to drink there Cuban coffee like all the Guajiros (poor working class peasants) did. Even after coming to the United States some of those old habits remained with them for quite sometime. 

    When I finally was reunited with my mother at the age of  twelve, I remember her doing the same. As a single women raising three children, she had to be very frugal and resourceful. My mother often used them when preparing meals to be able to store additional portions to avoid making dinner every night after returning home from work after a long day at the factoria (factory)as a costurera (seamstress). She also would often make homemade pudding and deserts and use the tubs and used a large and wide can to cook flan for us. I am very grateful for what I learned growing up from my mother and grandparents, it seemed to rub off on me. I was always resourceful as a kid and like to make things and if I didn't the materials to make something, I would figure what else I could use to accomplish what I had in mind. Today as an artist who's focus on sculpture and painting I still use found materials and repurpose many things within my sculptures and paintings. I have a love in combining questionable materials together to find a balance which enhances each material and there relations. I have often been asked about my process and what it means to me or the narrative within my work. I associate the marriage of materials as a way of problem solving and also relate it most importantly to the human relationships and the conditions we are faced with sometime. It is because of this and my families experience that I have a great admiration for the use of "Rasquachismo and Domesticana" in our everyday life as Latinos. 

    Below are some examples of my artwork. I made this particular sculpture class last spring as an interpretation of Cuban painter Wilfredo Lam's painting the titled "The eternal Presence". The altar is by my mother in law, she puts up every year for the el Dia de Muertos. 

Armando Perez Abstracts on Reference for Brenda Barrios

 

Armando Perez. “Arts, Theater & Fine Arts on Brenda Barrios”, Daily Bruin.

Link: With bold strokes, student uses her art as medium for activism - Daily Bruin

In this newspaper article author Ashley Kim of the Daily Bruin, highlights how Brenda Barrios’ use of bright colors and confident strokes landed her the attention as one of University of California Los Angles’ emerging young Chicana artists to watch. Her focus is to bring awareness to marginalized groups and to continue educating the growing numbers of followers that she has already accumulated through her presence on social media. Her work also addresses social and political issues that still impact many people in need. Kim’s interview with Brenda illustrates how Brenda’s Mexican heritage and the health challenges she faces resonates with an ever-growing audience and allows her to be a voice of activism for the underprivileged sections of society. Her colorful artworks created for Rock the Vote, Black Lives Matter, and Yemen Crisis highlight the beautiful colors that left an imprint of her memories of Mexico. These memories drive home her dedication to bring social change and to keep the activist work going that is needed to breakdown the disparity within social groups. Kim shares some of Brenda’s colorful works throughout the article that are quite impressive and document the success she has had as a young artist and her growing list of accomplishments.

Unique Perspectives "Meet Brenda Barrios/Artist, SHOUTOUT LA

Link:  Meet Brenda Barrios | Artist – SHOUTOUT LA

 In an Interview with Shoutout LA on September 10, 2021, Shoutout LA catches up with Brenda Barrios to ask What led her to chose a creative path professionally? In a series of question Brenda shares details about her love for art and the reason leading to her decision to pursue a career as a creative professional that many would say could be quite a challenge. The topics of her interview cover her life living with a disability and her career choice to be an artist whos artistic voice is to be an activist to raise awareness about issues surrounding disabilities and issues related to social justice in her community. Brenda talks about her disability and the specifics that make daily life challenging and shares some of the organizations that helped her get a jump start towards her career . The article is also filled with several images of her work such as a poster that she made to help support street vendors, a picture of Brenda at work painting, and a third photograph of a personal work she made that highlights some of the struggles her own father faced.    

Perez, Armando

 

Ever since I can remember the Virgen de Guadalupe has been in my life. When my grandparents and I came from Cuba, my abuelos Mario and Angela brought over their Cuban saints. My grandfather Mario was very dedicated to maintaining and practicing his beliefs and ancestral religions. When I turned five, we moved to California from New York because my grandfather’s older brother lived in Huntington Park and convinced him that the climate and environment would be much better for the family.

We became close with our next door neighbors who were of Mexican descent named Vicente and Maria. They also had a young daughter named Cookie who I became good friends with and attended the same elementary school with. My grandmother would often visit with Maria and I would sometimes go over to play with Cookie. On one of my first visits, I noticed a colorful large portrait of the Virgen de Guadalupe in their living room. I asked Maria if she was a saint like the saint my abuelos worshiped. Maria replied yes and explained that the Virgen de Guadalupe was who they prayed to for protection and guidance just like my grandparents did their own saints.

After learning of the Virgen of Guadalupe I started to notice her image all around town. As I was growing up I continued to see her image throughout the greater Los Angeles neighborhoods. When we visited areas like East L.A., murals of the Virgen seemed to pop up everywhere we went including stores, churches, school walls, city and park murals, and small alters in the front yards of Mexican homes.

I also dated a few Mexican men and eventually married my husband Andy who is of Mexican decent. The Virgen is also something that is part of his family’s heritage as well. The first time I met Andy in person, he was wearing a t-shirt with her image on it, and I thought he looked so cute in it with his rebel punk look. I keep a small little painting of the Virgen of Guadalupe in our home which I bought years back, and I used to by the tall candles that were decorated with her image because I always thought her image and how they painted her was beautiful, the colors were so vibrant. This is and was my experience with the Virgen de Guadalupe as I remember and continue to enjoy.

               

 

Perez, Armando

Artists Selection 

1. Brenda Barrios 

2. Pending 

Perez, Armando

Hello everyone! My name is Armando Perez and I go by Armando. I am a senior transfer fine arts major with a focus on sculpture. My preferred pronouns are (he/him/his). I am Cuban-American born in Cuba but immigrated to the US at the age of three with my grandparents and raised in Bell, California.

While taking various art and art history courses, I learned that the common thread that all my classes have taught me is the importance that race and culture play in almost all aspects of life and the impact it could have in making art. Learning how different cultures communicate and learn from one another is essential and can help develop acceptance of one another and create positive change. Through this process I also had the opportunity to learn about my own Cuban culture and history and found a deeper appreciation for the reason history plays such a big part in creating art. 

The purpose of taking this course is to continue to diversifying my studies and learning about other cultures and the influences that drive other artists to create work that is based on social and political issues. I look forward to the course expanding my view on critical issues that surround Chicana/x and Latina/x artists. I am excited to learn more about Latin art as a way to better understand my contribution to the future of making art. 

For anyone who may be interested, my art based IG is @armando.perez.art. I look forward to meeting and getting to know everyone!

Perez, Armando