maxwell, charlina week 7

 This essay by Claudia Zapata explores the effects of graphics created by chicana artists in the digital age. These new methods of digital creating had many implications for chicana artists, and artists worldwide. A main problem of creating has always been accessibility to the creation, and the rising popularity of digital forms of media had effective ways of making art more accessible. This also somewhat solves the problem of situating chicana art within the cultural narratives of what we consider to be fine art in america. Which is largely based on white, straight artists of a certain educational pedigree taking up most of the landscape. The digital age has opened up the discourse in many ways because everything online is more visible to the general public than pieces and exhibitions housed in museums that can only be viewed and appreciated by a select few privileged eyes. Even then what is chosen as high art is filtered through the lens of those with the power to make that decision. Online it is all up to the people what is good art that has meaning, relation, and relevance, this really evens the playing field. In this essay it is clear that art too, like the government, the school system, the economy, is an institution of this country that favors the privileged. Digital forms of media have lessened the impact of artistic institutions on the populations ideas of what is fine art. In this article is a poignant discussion of the digital work of Alma Lopez, and how her work is heralded by techniques of the digital age. Another important point is that much of her work is criticized, but either way whether the art is popularly loved, or popularly hated, a larger picture of discourse is created when art is in its digital form. And this is because more voices can be heard, both the voices of the creators, and the much larger groups of viewers who are able to discuss these works because they are posted online. 

 The work of Xandra Ibarra is at first admittedly shocking to me, as I perused her vast collection of works on her website though, there was something of a familiarity that I felt. This in your face, meant to be thought provoking, abstract and unique work reminded me of many artists I have seen from my hometown. I am from Oakland, where Ibarra has resided for much of her artistic life, and you can really see the spirit of the city in this work. Her explorations of sexuality, gender, her use of sculpture, her openness is something truly unique to the bay area, being brought up there I'm sure has a lot to do with the freedom she feels to really push the boundaries of convention with her work. Besides that she is an activist at her core, this too is instilled in Oakland youth, find yourself a cause, and get organizing for change.  Nevertheless, and not that it matters but I do find most of her work incredibly unpleasant, probably a personal choice by the artist, but all aside I do not like this art. I don’t find any useful meaning in the penis sculptures with a bunch of nails in them, pierced nipples in strange configurations or the period blood use, which to me in this century is rather an overdone concept. And I study art, it’s my major. These are not the kind of pieces I look deeply into, as within myself I believe art is more about beauty and skill than politics and messaging. It is a stark contrast to the works of Lomas Garza from last week who I really enjoyed. Because her work was political, but not an eyesore, and doesn't have to shock us to catch the eye. All that said I did enjoy the views from her mail slot in quarantine, it reminded me of home, and the strange year that passed.

maxwell, charlina week 5

 The art of Carmen Lopez Garza is both nostalgic and comforting, it is reminiscent of parts of life that we can all remember and connect to. From depictions of backyard barbeques, a village square, a family dinner, or a street fight. Her impressions of everyday life are undoubtedly special and unique, her flair for color and her approach to figure drawing all set her apart as a chicana artist. As a student of art history I really enjoy looking at Carmen’s work, for the feelings and memories evoked by these scenes. I also respect her mission, which is to make imagery of the relationships between family and community. Something else I noticed about her scenes is that different people are doing different things, which requires a lot of attention to detail to include in a still painting. There is always a sense of action, movement, a feeling of care. The painting I have chosen to discuss is called LAS PELEONERAS, and depicts a street fight between two women outside of a nightclub called el rio. The first thing that strikes me about this image, is that two women are not usually depicted as the ones fighting, though women do fight, and often hair pulling is a major aspect. It reminded me of a story my dad would always tell about how on his first day of middle school he saw two girls get in a major fight, and all that remained after the fight was broken up was a big clump of torn out hair. Everyone in this image is having their own reaction to the fighters, a woman trying to stop them, a couple who’s almost stumbled into their path, another couple looking on in horror, people watching unamused through the nightclub door. This painting is full of action, and a lot of fun to look at. 

week 4, charlina maxwell

 Define rasquachismo or domesticana, and include a personal example with image.

Rasquachismo can be defined in many different ways, and seems to have an evolving definition based on the ways it’s used, or the things it can describe. Rasquachismo is a theory on aspects of chicano perspectives, coined by scholar Tomás Ybarra-Frausto. Basically he is talking about an underdog’s perspective, an art style of repurposing, making the most of what very little there is to use. I have never considered this but after reading about it plenty of examples come to mind, and in many ways rasquachismo is not only a chicano production. It is the art of all poor populations everywhere, I have seen it all around Mexico, but also in poor neighborhoods of the Bahamas, Jamaica, and my neighborhood of West Oakland. People making art projects out of recycled materials, trash, and broken things. Often these renderings have quite a lot of charm despite their humble beginnings. Rasquachismo can be considered in three ways, a recycled art project made of old things hanging out in the backyard, a dollar store bracelet with an image of the Virgen de Guadalupe, or even a fine art creation. Some have stated that rasquachismo is a form of conservation and survival, it has a community and familial aspect, it is born of a group of people at the bottom, which again can be seen in the disenfranchised populations all over the world. Domesticanna is an extension of this term that can be applied to chicana art, especially because women who run households are the best recyclers on the planet. But this is also rasquachismo through a feminist lens, it is a rebellion against traditional gender roles the way rasquachismo is a rebellion against traditional definitions of what is creative and what is fine art, even what is beautiful. These essential perspectives are all a part of a shifting paradigm on what we consider artistic in postcolonial times. 

maxwell, charlina (week 3 blog)

 As Chicanx/Latinx, CA residents, and/or Catholics, we have knowledge/experiences with the Virgin of Guadalupe. Please write about your experience with this image.

As a non-catholic California resident I have never had much contact with the idea of the virgin Guadalupe, in fact until this year I had never heard of her. The first time she was mentioned to me was in a conversation with my girlfriend about how Catholicism is a scam, and she explained that the virgin guadalupe is how essentially Catholicism was sold to Latinos. However in looking at this image of the virgin guadalupe I do recognize her, and not only since I’ve seen the Virgin Mary. I used to have a bracelet I got at a dollar store as a child, that was a rosary with this tiny image. I must've seen this lady all over the place, and never known of her significance. From what I gather, like most aspects of Catholicism and religion in general the virgin is like a necessary symbol for the control of a new mass. As Catholicism was spreading and being forced upon indigeonous peoples around the globe there needed to be a unifying symbol to convert Mexican catholics to this Spanish religion. In a book called the Colonial Order, which I was referred to by a friend in chicano studies, there is a quote from a Spaniard in Mexico. He is basically saying that in order to convert the Mexicans, whom he calls Indians, that they should not just civilize them. They should instead Indianize catholicism so that they Mexicans will not be immediately disdainful of whatever religion the barbaric Spaniards are forcing upon them. Instead to make a Mexican version of the virgin mary as an especially sneaky way of assimilation. It’s incredible that in the war for independence from Spain, all those warriors were praying to the Virgin Guadalupe to protect them, and she in and of herself was a completely Spanish invention.

maxwell, charlina ( abstract for Ana Medina )

 Source 1 “Ana Medina.” DIALOGIST, dialogist.org/v2i2-ana-medina.

DIALOGIST is an artist spotlight publication and media company focused on getting a voice to new creators and minorities. This article includes a lot of unfound information about the artist Ana medina. This article gives background regarding her art education prior to her professional career, as well as some accolades collected from her career. She is a contemporary painter, and this article gives a little insight to her process, her inspiration, and her artistic eye. 

staff. “Artist Spotlight: Ana Medina.” BOOOOOOOM!, 26 Nov. 2020,

www.booooooom.com/2020/11/26/artist-spotlight-ana-medina/.

BOOM! Is a media publication featuring original, little known artists, film, photography, and design. Boom was started in 2008 and is one of the largest art platforms on the internet. Here we have a statement from the artist about the vision behind her craft, and how she hopes to change ideas about everyday moments with these paintings. Ana’s work captures contemporary scenes of family and friends, the interactions of everyday life. In beautiful color, she considers what it means to care.