Discussion: Loaded images/cactus&mexican

Now i had ideas on what to write about in connection to the image above but the more i thought about the picture the more i was confused what to write about. I started to realize all the layers the image contained.

The picture is a result of my work i'm doing and documenting towards my thesis show. One of the many individuals aiding me (which i am tremendously thankful towards) and friend is posing by the cactus in the picture. In a moment of "all work and no play" we decided to recreate the iconic representation of the sleeping Mexican leaning against the cactus. It was a funny moment that resulted in a great loose resemblance that i'm sure we will entertain us for some time.

Immediately i wanted to write about it on this blog  but that is where the confusion began. I didn't know weather to connect it to my current work in development or mention the humorous aspect that sparked the idea. There is definitely the stereotypical side that associates the portrayal with the idea of the lazy Mexican therefore creating a larger debate. This also bring up the many manifestations of the construction such as the statues that are sold as souvenirs and the dying industry of that form of manufacturing.

All this crept into my mind and more, not even mentioning the issues surrounding my work and that the Tijuana/ San Diego border wall is in the background, that in itself creates further discussion. Maybe i'm over analyzing it but that now became my question, thou the image was a break from the seriousness of the work moment we were engaged in but can an image be too loaded for simple enjoyment? Are there some representations that automatically create multiple meanings? I leave it up to you for discussion.

Propuestas Postfronterizas/ Postborder Proposals

I'd like to invite you to Postborder Proposals/Propuestas Postfronterizas, opening at the BoatHouse Gallery at Plaza de la Raza on May 9th at 4pm. 

POSTBORDER PROPOSALS / PROPUESTAS POSTFRONTERIZAS is a convening of artists working on both sides of the U.S./Mexico border as well as young artists from as far away as the Middle East. Their work considers the complex dynamics of border areas and liminal spaces, and engages the experience of displacement and immigration. The works in this art exhibition provide a doorway into cultural, sociological, and geographic spaces marked by hybridity, and their proposals move away from the simple binaries outlined by immigration and foreign policy and essentialist platforms. 

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS AND COLLECTIVES:

AjA Project, Boredom Patrol (C.I.R.C.A./San Diego), Colectivo La Linea, Ingrid Hernandez, Esteban Martinez, Juana Meneses, Roberto Romero-Molina, Omar Pimienta and Evelyn Serrano

The exhibition will take place at Plaza de la Raza’s iconic Boathouse Gallery. In addition to the gallery hours noted above, the exhibition will be open to the public during and after all performances of the CAP/Plaza de la Raza Youth Theater Program “behind barbed wire” at the Margo Albert Theater in Plaza de la Raza (for information about these performances please contact Plaza de la Raza at 323.223.2475)

Discussion: Reboot vs. Remake on movies

In the world of cinema when did everything get decided to be rebooted versus movies being remade? It seems through many different kinds of media news towards the moving picture many classics, franchises, movies no older than 10 years are being rebooted.

The first time i heard this term used was with Christopher Nolan's "Batman Begins". His vision for the Batman franchise was going to reboot (start over) life back into it. But before this term all other second interpretations of previous films were considered remakes. Now like wild fire all new interpretations of movies are reboots, of course i maybe generalizing. To my understanding a remake is just another directorial perspective on a previously made film. The term of "reboot" seems to go towards a series of films based on the same characters being re envisioned by creative powers (this can be studio driven) to help increase box office sales. Now this definition i propose is not entirely clear or solid. For example, if we take the Harry Potter franchise, the first two films were directed by Chris Columbus. However, the third film took on a different director Alfonzo Cuaron, thou these films are part of a continuous narrative up until this chapter in the story the series took on a drastically different direction in visuals, story telling, etc. to craft a superior movie. Is this considered a reboot to the franchise?

Now when the idea of starting over is clear, as reboot suggests, i cannot agree more such as the recent Friday the 13th series. This was a license that needed to be forgotten or completely redone. This is also happening with the Nightmare on Elm Street series, another franchise that is being rebooted. 

There are a few movies that i'm not sure which category they can be placed, for example 1998's Psycho. This version of Psycho is almost an exact copy of Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 Psycho, i say almost because there are some added scenes that the director, Gus Van Sant, has spoken on which were not possible due to the censors of 1960. The same can be said with 2007's Funny Games, here is a film that was reshot exactly and its previous incarnation was only 10 years before. The original is from 1997.

The term of reboot is being strongly used towards the upcoming release of Star Trek headed by J.J. Abrams. Here is a license that has suffered some ticket sale failure, so much that it is said all odd numbered Star Trek films suck. In Abrams case maybe this is a reboot since instead of continuing the adventures of the Next Generation crew (where the series left off) he is starting over with the characters of the original series in their younger years.

For a point of discussion, what is your perspective on the terms Reboot  versus Remade? How about Redone, Retold, Re imagined or plain old updated? 

Open Studios 09: after event

The proceeding of UCSD's open studios 09 didn't come to an end at its posted time of 8 pm, the festivities made there way up to the second floor of the Visual Arts department. A mass amount of people enjoyed food, music, conversation and eventually dancing. A band preformed at some point. It was good to see my peers enjoying themselves and cutting a rug, i just hope i can blame the alcohol for some of the moves i witnessed by a few but all in the name of fun. Congrats to all that were involved for making this affair happen, you did a great job and your nightly fun was well deserved. 

Open Studios 09: main event

Official UCSD Open Studios 2009 has come to an end. The day long event was a success of interested people visiting the graduate art studios with hungry eyes for art and curious questions.

For myself i received a great amount of drop in commuter traffic that resulted in some splendid conversations and some very pleased individuals of my work. Questions starting out with the general "tell me about your work" to in depth exchanges over the nature of the lovemark or the overall discussion of surveillance and its many forms. Also some talk of the impressive work that existed in my peers studios.

I was graced with the presence of family and old friends, and i hope i made some new ones. In reflection i can say it was an impressive function and i thank all who came out.

Pre Open Studios 09- Friday

UCSD Open Studios 2009 has begun with its pre event on friday, the gathering was basically for faculty and admits to help them all see what some of us do working late at night in our studios. The function was a small with food, friends, artists, future art grads and good conversation. This pre Open Studios allowed some of us to visit our peers spaces since the main event of Open Studios on Saturday doesn't really enable most of us to mingle.

As i walked around i can say that i was impressed with some of my fellow graduates work, some very exciting projects in the mix in different stages of development. I'm super interested to see how some of them turn out. I hope some of you can come and enjoy Open Studios 2009.

Class work: Joseph D Cheung

"Piecing the Issue of Undocumented Workers in America" is a final project by Joseph D Cheung, one of my students from Teddy Cruz's Structures of Art class at UCSD. The final assignment worked around the idea of Border, Joe's result was a docu-style video. I found the video interesting, hope you enjoy.

Early notice: UCSD Open Studios 09

Greetings, here is an early notice of the upcoming University of California, San Diego graduate Open Studios 2009. The event will take place one day, Saturday April 4th from 2 - 8 pm. Its the day all the grads open their studios and let the community come by and see what is in development, there should be some great stuff to look at. I will be participating so come on down for the event and enjoy the day in San Diego or Tijuana, hope to see you there.

Class work: Joann Yen

In a final project presented to my students at UCSD in Teddy Cruz's Structure of Art class i present the video work of Joann Yen. The assignment worked around the idea of Border (namely San Diego/Tijuana). Her conclusion was to rework found footage from Youtube re editted to this very strong piece titled "Dreaming the american dream". I please invite you to watch, if you are having difficulties i also provide the link 

Dreaming the American Dream

"Video where the audience is rather ambiguous. I wanted it so that it would literally piss off the Americans. The intended audience is not Mexican, although through the text it may seem so... The video was inspired by the numerous videos I watched about illegal Immigration and minutemen on youtube." Joann Yen 

Not all tacos are created equal

Coming from an individual who grew up in Los Angeles, not only spent time but use to live in Mexico City and is now residing in San Diego with a frequent visit to Tijuana, the idea of the Taco is nothing new to me. From the very common Carne Asada to the very elusive al Pastor it is easy for me to say that not all Tacos are created equal.

Last night i traveled to Tijuana for a social function and craved some off the street culinary fast creations known as the Taco. Oh how i crave the Taco. Now the true Taco is not what has been handed to the American consciousness, the hard shelled Taco bell Taco is a fragmentation and abomination. The true Taco is served on a small corn tortilla with the prepared meat (their are some Tacos served with veges "Rajas") and a variety of condiments: salsa, onions, cilantro, guacamole, etc. but salsa is a must. A great Taco is nothing short of art when properly prepared. The concept of the Taco, thou simple, is a very complex balance of ingredients to produce the right mix of flavor in a small package.

Like stated earlier, i was in Tijuana and had to get my taste buds pleased with the flavor of the Taco. However, the Taco i had of Carne Asada despite being good was not great compared to some of the many other spots through out the city of Tijuana. The result of the tang dismay created a comparison in my mind although this Taco was not as good was still far superior to many i have had in the United States. Now i know i'm speaking of a subjective topic of taste when it comes to cuisine but my last comment doesn't state that their are no good Tacos in the States.

In my home ghetto of Wilmas there are some really good Tacos that come from a lunch truck off of Wilmington Blvd. And i have had other good Tacos of al Pastor from the same area as well but some of the famous establishments known in LA, for example King Taco or el Gallo Giro, i find no where close to some i have had in Tijuana (i know that last judgment is going to bother a few). I am not saying that Tijuana gets full marks, i still haven't found a decent Taco al Pastor that will fulfill the savor memory of my days in Mexico City. It is definitely safe to say that not all Tacos are created equal and a personal Taco taste challenge should be conducted.