Week 6

 Rascuachismo and Domesticana

My initial thought on the subject of Rascuachismo is the fact that many people with “less resources” that in return become very resourceful, don’t think about their life style as rascuache. I think it would have to be an outsider that looks into the life of someone that makes do with the little they have and decides that it is rascuache. Similar to naco. Nacos don’t call themselves such, it is those outside of the community that deem them so.

The fact that artist make a point to be rascuache as a form of empowerment and to demonstrate resilience brings up the concept of social hierarchy. One would first have to find a place in society, in the socioeconomic ladder, to then decide what to capitalize on. I say this because rascuachismo is an organic act, for many it is the only visible way not an intentional choice.

Rascuachismo as an artistic gesture is interesting as if is a form of decolonization. The use of non traditional materials directly rejects notions of western art. Imposing the fact that crafts and resourcefulness are both an form of art in and of itself. It is a form of empowerment for the artist.