Week 9: Chicana futurism

 In the article “Deus ex Machina: Tradition, Technology, and the Chicanafuturist Art of Marion C. Martinez”, Catherin S. Ramirez defines “Chicanafututrism” as “Chicanx cultural production that attends to cultural transformations resulting from new and everyday technologies.” The article specifically focuses on the art of Marion C. Martinez, a chicana artist from New Mexico whose art often employs chicano and pre-colombian iconography as a foreground to technological visuals like circuit boards and other tech salvaged from the waste industry. The use of these materials is in reaction to the large presence of technological waste sites in New Mexico, specifically near latinx communities, something that has lasting effects on the social and ecological environment of these areas. The seemingly conflicting visuals are skillfully blended together by the artist, and the ensuing image creates an important discussion regarding the seemingly archaic perception of indigenous aspects of chicanx culture. These elements are typically presented and discussed as obsolete or belonging to a time long past, which in turn denies the richness of the culture and the thousands of people who continue to keep it alive. Additionally, the use of waste material to create the art brings awareness to the very real phenomenon of climate change and other negative side effects of industrialization disproportionately affecting low income communities of color. One of the biggest latino neighborhoods in my home city of San Diego is Barrio Logan, which incidentally is also home to a notorious Chicanx cultural site, Chicano Park. This park is located under multiple freeway overpasses, which are covered with beautiful murals depicting brown leaders and other sources of Chicano pride. However, the community’s proximity to the freeway, as well as the industrial production in the nearby docks has led to some of the highest rates of respiratory illness in San Diego. Seeing how a member of a New Mexico community dealing with similar issues was able to turn these disadvantages into beautiful pieces of art reminded of this example from my home town, and is an inspiring showing of Chicano creativity and perseverance in spite of centuries of systemic abuse.