Week 4: ¡Printing the Revolution! Exhibition Preview

    While watching ¡Printing the Revolution! Exhibition Preview, I found myself inspired by the artists featured on the panel. Juan Fuentes, Ester Hernandez, and Zeke Peña shared their experiences and inspirations for creating their works, many of which centered around social justice issues. They also spoke on the evolution of Chicanx art and how it has become what it is today.

    The way Juan Fuentes and Ester Hernandez spoke about the new generations and the inclusivity present among them was very important to me. As the world around us is constantly evolving, we as individuals find new ways to grow. Noting the actions taken during the 1960s and 70s during the Chicanx civil rights movement, we can see how works sparked conversations and shed light on important situations. Similarly today, there are so many people out there holding the discussions which still need to take place such as the Black Lives Matter movement, for example. They also noted that with the incorporation of new technologies, individuals are able to get messages out in a quicker and more effective way. The ways for communities to come together and continue to fight for change are continuously growing.

    I also found it very heart-warming to see Zeke pay tribute to Juan, Ester, and others who paved the way for new artists to emerge and contribute to the community. While everyone has their own approach, it is very interesting to see how different groups of people can take inspiration from one another and appreciate the work they’ve done. Beyond that, it’s also interesting to see how these communities can gather together and unpack different concepts. While there is much to appreciate from older generations, there is also a lot that is left unaddressed. This being said, to be able to create an atmosphere in which these dialogues can be held and acknowledged is a great advancement.

    Overall, the comments shared throughout the video served as a reminder that while circumstances may change, there are still so many opportunities to advance.