This is the blog for the UCLA Chicanx Latinx Art and Artists course offered by the Cesar E. Chavez Department of Chicanx Central American Studies (CCAS M175, also Art M184 and World Arts and Cultures M128). This course provides a historical and contemporary overview of Chicanx Latinx art production with an emphasis on painting, photography, prints, murals and activist art.
Friday, June 8, 2018
CARA
Learning about the Chicano Art: Resistance and Affirmation (CARA) exhibition was both amazing yet problematic, overall inspiring. I admire the fact that Chicano artists made space for their own narratives to be showcased in spaces that are predominantly white. In a non-inclusive space these Chicano artists were able to challenge the Eurocentric art spaces. It shows that we as Chicanos also have a voice and it is loud enough to make sure it is heard by even those who do not want to hear it. However, even within this success there remains another layer of oppression. The Chicano movement works towards social justice in terms of race that it disregards the injustices in terms of gender, sexuality, etc. This notion is reaffirmed even with the title of the exhibition which states "Chicano" as oppose to any other gender inclusive variation of the term. Evidently, the issue of misogyny remains within the Chicanx community. Machismo prevails when la raza does not address the particular issues and accomplishments of mujeres. In the CARA exhibition, very few art pieces were made by women. Although the Chicano voice was being heard in a white space, the feminist voice was being silenced by the patriarchal voice. Through Professor Gaspar de Alba's presentation, I believe that we were able to understand why and how important the female perspective is. I found it interesting how in class when Professor Gaspar de Alba asked for those of us who identify as feminists to raise our hands, only the women raised their hands. A couple of men then shared that they do not feel comfortable with that label because they thought that it was not meant for them. They felt that if they were to consider themselves feminists then they would be taking up space that was not meant for them. However, Professor Gaspar de Alba clarified that that was not necessarily the case. Anyone, regardless of gender, can identify as a feminist if their views and actions are aligned with the movement.
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