Lepe, Kimberley Week 4

Rasquachismo, as defined by Ybarra-Fruasto, is an attitude and lifestyle for underprivileged people where they use their limited material and resources to create and satisfy material and spiritual needs.   In terms of an artist’s perspective, it is the piecing together of objects that are readily available to make other useful things.  This attitude can often be accustomed to a form of the “underdog”.  I consider this lifestyle as one that never gives up.  They never accept defeat, and they never falter, so they do anything possible to ensure that the resources they have readily available can be enough for more. 

As a Chicana, it has been a part of my life without me even knowing it.  Containers of Christmas cookies were reused to become containers for sewing kits.  Candles, once finished, were painted to make vases for our flowers, and old furniture was cut and painted into something completely different.  I think our different uses of containers has been a big aspect in my life.  I remember growing up, and always being told to wash out containers to be able to reuse it.  Some days I’d find the big container of sour cream filled with my mom’s green salsa the week after.  

    Rasquachismo is often described in a way that that is attributed to those of Mexican descent, however I believe that has even become a big form of art and expression.  As an artist, I have seen beautiful pieces made from material found on the street, or from the pile of things someone may throw out.  Old shards of glass can be used to convey a message through art, whereas even rips of magazines, or old fabric, like with Yolanda Lopez, can be the focal point for an art piece.  Something minor, and used can still be beautiful and resourceful, which is what I believe rasquachismo means.