De la Mano con la Nostalgia

It's already late November, and 2005 will soon be over. It's amazing how time flies so quickly. I was recalling how I spent Thanksgiving in Mexico City last year with Dario, Amy and Jaclyn. We ate turkey sandwiches at VIPS, a chain of restaurants in the DF.

Everyone seems to be doing well, Amy in Glasgow, Dario and Jaclyn in Austin, and me in Los Angeles. Funny how destiny finds ways of putting four very different people in one place for a short period of time. We had our moments in Mexico City, and I am sure Mexico City had her moments with us too! Viva el DF!

When you live in the Distrito Federal for a year, no one can ever take that away from you. You hear Mexico City, and either images of Insurgentes on a rainy day or street vendors in Coyoacan come to mind.

Un fuerte abrazo a todos los chilangos.

I took this picture at the Self-Help Graphics gallery in East Los Angeles on November 2nd, 2005.
 

Teatro Campesino: Arriba el Telon

The United Farm Workers union is an important institution of grassroots activism and social change that has become a fundamental layer in Chicano history. It is for this reason, that so many Chicano artists can't help but include the UFW colors and references in their art. The presence of "calaveras" dancing around is a reminder of the pain, suffering and eventual death that many "campesinos" experienced in the fields of California. People forget that before the UFW and novels like "The Grapes of Wrath" were published, California's agriculture sector was an exploitation bonanza. The dancing calaveras in this piece represent the irony and humor necessary to cope with the harsh reality of history. It is with laughter that people are able to look back, cope, and ultimately develop the strength to look forward in the hopes that things should get better.  

Y tu, Quien Eres?

Many academics, psychologists and anthropologists have tried to figure out why so many Mexican Americans have recently become fascinated with the indigenous history of Mexico.

For decades, melting-pot theory enthusiasts have questioned the reluctance of young people of color to assimilate into the proverbial Main Street of American identity. But instead of heading towards Main Street, many young people in Los Angeles have turned away from it, opting instead to pave their own "calle".

In fact, many Chicanos have been found their way back to the "Alameda" (the Spanish culture's version of a Main Street), and have decided to go further into their past.

Historically, Mexicans were notorious for pretending to be recent descendants of Spain, evidencing the hopeless desire to be part of a Europe that did not always reciprocate the gesture. Mexico developed such an intense romance with the Iberian peninsula, that even today some urban dark-skinned Mexicans fruitlessly make the 10-minute argument to explain how one of their great aunts spoke with a Spanish lisp and dressed in traditional Sevilla attire. For years, many Mexican Americans felt that the only way to advance in America's social mobility game was to adopt a country in Europe and hope to be invited to the next PTA potluck down Oak Drive. Fortunately for Latinos in Los Angeles, the recent move towards the indigenous history of Mexico provides a fresh outlook on their Mexican identity.

No longer must a Mexican American stare up into the sky and try to figure out what part of the Iberian peninsula his last name came from, and try to claim a distant land that cares little about the issues he confronts daily. The Chicano movement and its commitment to the indigenous history of Mexico leapfrogs backwards, going "back to the future" if you will, to a place where Iberian descendants did not even exist.

Interestingly, many of the elite Mexicans that clearly have no indigenous heritage are reluctant to embrace this newfound desire to be Indio, Indian and India. It is difficult for them to see and understand how what was once a derogatory word that they were able to control and use, has now become a term of empowerment and pride.

Now more than ever, children of some Latinos are not necessarily given names like Kevin or Michael, or Juan or Roberto, but more political and indigenous names like Tonatiu and Moctezuma. Many of these developments are not entirely new, but for the first time in decades these cultural waves are finally leaving an imprint.

We can only hope that Mexican Americans continue to pioneer this new kind of American identity, one that focuses on the whole story, from the Amerindian to the European and from the African to the Asian. The more choices and flavors people have to choose from, the more colorful our American heritage will be.

 

Lite as a Feather

Aztec dancers in Los Angeles take their plummage very seriously. At this Dia de los Muertos event in Lincoln Heights, the danzantes came out in droves, and they did not disappoint. To the beat of strong indigenous drums, each danzante stepped up to the plate as the Parque de Mexico became the 21st century equivalent of the top of any pyramid from Tenochtitlan.  

Dona Florinda con Tubos

Every now and then, even La Muerte deserves to enjoy a little snack. This female skeleton by Armos really caught my eye because of the wicked grin she is sporting as she devours a nice red-ripe slice of watermelon.

People have always noted the irony of how a watermelon can't help but stretch a wide grin as it is being sliced away, and hence every watermelon slice becomes a smile to the death.

But more importantly, this piece of art I saw as I strolled around the Self-Help Graphics parking lot during the Dia de los Muertos celebration reminded me of a more compelling character from my childhood.

If you were one of the lucky Mexican-American children to have parents thoughtful enough to share with you some culture, surely you were tuned into Univision K-MEX 34 to watch the gloriously wacky world of "Chespirito."

Chespirito is the Sesame Street meets Seinfeld meets Brady Bunch television burrito for all Mexicans during the late 60s through the mid 80s.

The Chespirito Show was appetizer, entree and dessert for the whole family.

It was an amazingly clever and witty situational comedy that capitalized on confusion, character wit, and plot twists to guide, taunt and laugh-til-you-cry torture its audience for decades. Even today, Chespirito is transmitted world-wide and translated into a myriad of languages. Surely, if you tune into Telemundo or Univision, not to mention Galavision or HBO Espanol, you may catch an episode on the air. Chespirito will always be with us, because it is quite possibly the perfect show, combining human tragedy, emotion and tension with such a potent sense of humor, that even the antagonists became cultural icons to several generations in Latin America and the United States.

Enter Florinda Meza stage right.

This art piece specifically reminds me of one of the main characters from Chespirito's many vignettes. Dona Florinda was the neighborhood stay-at-home single mother who with hair tubes on all day supervised the constant infighting between her son Quico, Chavo del Ocho and the infamous Chilingrina. On top of playing the over protective mother of Quico, Florinda also became the damsel-in-distress for Doctor Jirafales, only to become the Amazon feminist for Don Ramon, her unemployed neighbor. Dona Florinda did it all with mop in hand and roll tubes in her hair.

Dona Florinda terrorized specific male characters on the show's plotlines, whether it be because of the hand-in-cookie-jar guilt of the Chavo del Ocho or the here-comes-my-slap antics of Don Ramon.

To read more about Florinda Meza and her eventual marriage to Chespirito himself, series creator Roberto Gomez Bolanos, please click on the following link: http://siganmelosbuenos.galeon.com/aficiones1024598.html  

Elvira la Vampira

People often forget how hideous death can be, and this image definitely brings a new meaning to the word ugly. But if you look closely, this art piece makes a very cool cultural reference to a late night babe from the early 80s. For those that sometimes stayed up late and grew up watching the infamous Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, you likely caught the anatomical similarities between the skeleton in this painting and her.

Below is an interesting article that I found on her unofficial website, proving that she is still around, somewhere in Colorado.

DENVER, Colo. - Elvira, Mistress of the Dark and her trademark plunging neck-line stirred up a brouhaha at the Great American Beer Festival here in September when she was barred from festival because she was inappropriately dressed.

Elvira, who was appearing to promote her own specialty beer, Elvira's Night Brew, continued to sign autographs from her limousine outside the festival.

"Since I began playing Elvira 15 years ago, I have never had to compromise the integrity of this character, and I'm not going to start now," said Cassandra Peterson, the actress who plays Elvira. "Would they ask Superman to leave his tights at home and wear slacks?"

"The beer industry is dominated by a few big guys," she added. "I don't think they'll make it easy for a female entrepreneur to compete."

To read more about Elvira la Vampira, her career and filmography, please visit the following website: http://www.tangibledreams.net/elvira/



 

Aparicio's Ode to La Muerte

The Self-Help Graphics Gallery had many great pieces of art highlighting the absurdity that is so essential to the Day of the Dead celebrations. Dia de los Muertos allows the dead to return and assume the routines of the living. Here, having Death enjoy a nice glass of red liquour represents the level of humor behind this celebration.

Placing the dead in such compromising positions only reveals the ridiculous nature and vanity that are inherent in such acts of leisure. Such negative virtues are especially pronounced when the subjects are dead. The absurdity flows from the abundance of life and emotion as personified by skeletons. It is as if the dead knew how to best enjoy life, possibly because they have the experience we lack. Things may be better the second time around.  

Here's Looking At You, Muerte

Many people enjoy painting their face to match that of a skeleton/calavera. On Dia de los Muertos, the presence of Death is symbolically represented by the many painted faces that walk around you, constantly reminding you that death could be staring directly at you.

So long as you have nothing to hide, you can stare right back at Death and carry on with your night. In this way, Dia de los Muertos is both comical and serious. It is the "laugh now, cry later" event of the year. The thin line between comedy and tragedy is blurred on the Day of the Dead, so as not to see it as a border dividing the dead and the living, but as a brief amnesty where the dead can cross over without any fear of immediate deportation. Day of the Dead is the time of the year where both living and dead can enjoy a night of nostalgia, absurdity and remembrance.  

The 65 RTD Stop

On the night of November 2nd, I went to the Self-Help Graphics Dia de los Muertos event in the heart of East LA, on the the corner of Cesar Chavez Avenue and Gage.

I remember this corner very well because that is where I would always catch the 65 RTD bus (Rapit Transit) when I attended Belvedere Junior High School (about two blocks east of Gage on Record Avenue). I remember how crowded the corner on Gage and Cesar Chavez Avenue (Brooklyn Ave back then) would get, especially with so many of us trying to rush the bus minutes after our 3pm release from school. Incidentally, the 65 bus was the same bus that would take you from City Terrace (and Cal State LA) all the way to Whittier Boulevard and beyond. For a 13 year old kid from the hills of City Terrace, the 65 RTD not only took us to our junior high and high schools, it also connected us to the rest of East LA. For example, on Cesar Chavez and Gage, you would get off and potentially transfer on the 68 line, west towards Downtown LA and east towards East Los Angeles College and the Montebello Town Center. Those of us with student bus IDs felt empowered, because it was one of the first signs of independence, being able to move around freely around your surrounding neigborhoods and barrios.

This event brought many people from other parts of LA. The crowd was very diverse, and many vendors and artists were showing their crafts and wares.  

Parada y Atarantada

Muchas personas participan en diferentes maneras durante las ceremonias alrededor del Dia de los Muertos. Unas personas se dedican a cocinar comida para vender, otras personas solo llegan con su camara para tomar fotos, y otras deciden participar por medio de sus bailes.

Esta chica decidio llegar al Parque Mexico para bailar las danzas aztecas que habia practicado durante el verano. En esta foto, la chica se encuentra con un poco de frio mientras el director de la ceremonia comparte unas cuantas palabras espirituales. Le tome esta foto porque ella estaba ahi concentrandose en algo que solo ella sabia, con una mirada que se perdia en las llamas al centro del circulo azteca. Parada y atarantada.  

What's Their Age Again?

Cuando llegue al evento en el Parque de Mexico, ya casi estaban terminando los danzantes sus bailes en honor a los muertos. Aun asi, tuve la oportunidad de apreciar la diversidad en edad del grupo de personas presentes. En el evento habia mucha gente mayor que observaban con mucho orgullo y curiosidad a los muchos jovenes mexicano-americanos tomar parte en su herencia y cultura azteca y mexica. Es impresionante reconocer que tan importante el Dia de los Muertos se ha convertido en la Ciudad de Los Angeles, la segunda ciudad en el mundo con mas mexicanos despues de la Cd. de Mexico.  

Altar de mis Recuerdos

En casi todas las ceremonias y eventos para el Dia de los Muertos, es una costumbre muy importante preparar un altar como este. Estos altares representan el respeto al igual que la nostalgia que el ser humano tiene hacia sus antepasados. Normalmente, estos altares incluyen simbolos de la religion cristiana y muchas fotos de personas que ya no estan con nosotros. Este altar fue preparado por personas que atendieron el evento del Dia de los Muertos en el Parque de Mexico en Lincoln Heights, una comunidad en el noreste de Los Angeles.  

Noviembre en California

Todo en Los Angeles camina muy bien en estos dias.

El clima se esta poniendo un poco mas fresco, y la gente se prepara para el Dia de Accion de Gracias, al igual que para la Navidad. Este Dia de Accion de Gracias va ser muy interesante para nuestra familia, ya que mis padres salen de viaje hacia Cabo San Lucas para celebrar su aniversario de matrimonio, y mis hermanos y yo vamos a pasar la cena tradicional con mi hermana en su casa en Upland.

Pero estoy seguro que todo va salir bien porque casi siempre el pavo y los postres de la cena de Accion de Gracias son sabrosos.

Ademas, los ultimos dias de Noviembre siempre representan el inicio de la Navidad en EEUU, ya que todos los comerciantes se ponen de acuerdo para dirigir todos sus recursos de mercadotecnia hacia ese lema.

Death Is In The Details

Death is in the details, of life that is. When I arrived in Lincoln Heights for this Dia de los Muertos celebration, I enjoyed watching this family transform into the symbolic "dead" of the night. Dia de los Muertos is an important celebration where family and friends come together to acknowledge their "Dead" and to pay respect to "Death".  

Indigenous Family Revolution

The Indigenous Revolution can take many forms. One form is through the celebration of Dia de los Muertos in Lincoln Heights in 2005. This Chicano family represents the growing appreciation among Latinos for indigenous customs and practices.  

Dos Mujeres: Cuatro Caminos

Before the Day of the Dead celebration at the Self Help Graphics in East LA, I attended a smaller but probably more authentic celebration in Lincoln Heights.

The Lincoln Heights celebration of Dia de los Muertos took place in the island park on the corner of Valley Boulevard and Mission. This is known to the community as the Parque de Mexico, as it contains various statues representing Mexico's political history.

I like this picture because it especially represents the "vida" part of the Dia de los Muertos celebration. Pictured are two women, but with four potential "caminos" that only time will help pave.  

Dia de los Muertos: Art in the Heart of East LA

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS 2005
Self-Help Graphics 32nd ANNUAL CELEBRATION
REGENERACION: UNITY and UNDERSTANDING THROUGH TRADITION

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2nd from 3:00PM to 10:00PM

(DAY OF THE DEAD)

The event this year is a ONE day event on NOVEMBER 2nd and IS FREE TO THE PUBLIC! DONATIONS HOWEVER WILL BE ACCEPTED!! CALAVERA MASKS AND ATTIRE ENCOURAGED.....

Self Help Graphics & Art, Los Angeles’ premiere Chicano Cultural Arts Center located in the heart of East Los Angeles will conduct a procession on WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2nd The procession will begin at CINCO PUNTOS at Cesar Chavez & Lorena at 5:00PM, then will proceeed to SELF HELP GRAPHICS & ART building located at 3802 Cesar E. Chavez Avenue & Gage

Bring your offers and memories to display at the large community ALTAR that will be constructed at SELF HELP's Gallery Otra Vez. The altar will be created by premier altar maker and community resident, Ofelia Esparza. This inspirational important ritual and art of traditional altar making serves as a way for the community to contribute their memories to the altar with their special tokens of remembrance.

The evening of WEDNESDAY, November 2nd will include craft sales, delicious food, and entertainment including the traditional Aztec dance blessing and ceremony.

Self Help Graphics & Art’s Dia de los Muertos Exhibition and celebration was initiated by artists in 1972, creating a link to the popular celebration in Mexico. This unique holiday dates back to Pre-Columbian Mexico during which skulls were used to honor the dead. The Aztecs believed the deceased came back to visit during a certain period of the year. As in the different regions in Mexico, Self Help Graphics & Art’s celebration is distinct to the East Los Angeles community, which it represents.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
DAY OF THE DEAD Volunteer Opportunities
Self Help Graphics & Art
Volunteer meetings start on October 4 with additional follow up meetings and then volunteer help on November 2nd

Self Help Graphics & Art has become Los Angeles’ ground zero for Dia de los Muertos. You can help make this year’s celebration a real success by volunteering your talents. We need you to help with set up and break down, and help with the many details that have to be undertaken for this special event. Please call (323) 881-6442 (and leave a message with your contact information) or email iomshg@yahoo.com to become a valuable volunteer to Self Help Graphics & Art. For more information, visit http://www.selfhelpgraphics.com/dod/index.shtml