Community building requires community healing. And what does that look like?

"Staying ‘home’ and not venturing out from our own group comes from woundedness, and stagnates our growth. To bridge means loosening our borders, not closing off to others….To bridge is to attempt community, and for that we must risk being open to personal, political, and spiritual intimacy, to risk being wounded."- Gloria Anzaldua

"Quedarse en la casa'' y no aventurarse fuera de nuestro propio grupo viene donde estamos heridos y proviene nuestro crecimiento. Para hacer puentes signifa que abriemos mas de nuestras fronteras y que no cierremos a otros… Para hacer puentes es intentar comunidad, y para eso tenemos que corre el riesgo de ser abierto a personal, político y espiritual intimidad, a correr el riesgo de ser heridos. "
-
Gloria Anzaldua


Everybody is waiting for the movement to happen ! And we dont realize we are the movement. Its me and you coming together and having some honest and maybe painful truthtelling between us. But there is probably some beautiful thing we will create together as a result. I want to speak to each person in my community.Let's get the party going.

Todo el mundo está esperando a que el movimiento a ocurrir! Y nosotros no darse cuenta de que somos el movimiento. Comienza la communidad cuando usted y yo tienemos algunos conversaciones doloroso pero verdarosos . Pero es probable que algunos bellos cosas que es probablemente vamos a crear juntos . Quiero hablar con cada person en mi communidad.Vamos a comienzar esta fiesta !




Friday, June 26, 2009

Revolutionary Artist


"The role of the revolutionary artist is to make revolution irresistible." —Toni Cade Bambara, Writer and activist

As an artist, writer and actvist, I am fascinated to hear artists talk about their art and what they were trying to express. Some people are artists for the attention or fame or ego rush. I was at an art show last night and I never thought Id be hanging out with local artists,the art world, or the fashion world. As a matter of fact, I poo poo the pretentiousness I usually find at these functions. And I hate most art. I want to be wowpowed. Im usually bored with most art or written word but at the same time I am always excited with all the good stuff I can get my hands or eyes on. And as for fashion, I like to be comfortable. I hated it when all the girls when i was coming of age, were into getting dressed up and into the latest fads. But nearing age 50 , I need and want to be polished. I have done some hard work on myself and I am proud of it. Its like polishing up the vintage sportscar that you personally restored. I am a work of art. Y I know it. Prince said cool was self respect. I am cool. I respect myself. No chingues.
I think all art should heal something either for the artist or the viewer/reader/listener. So in my opinion, an artist is a healer. Otherwise, its masturbation. Anybody can make something pretty but can your art move people to a more sacred space or peaceful state.
But really, all I see are people looking for the attention they never got enough of when they were little in their art. Some people just slap paint on the canvas and there is no thought or conciousness to it. they groove to their own ego. And what about truthtelling in art ? Are you doing an honest expression or copycatting?I hate copycats. What made sad about Mexico was when I saw Mexicans trying to be as American standard. Can we be original?
i have to struggle with my art. I fight the censors and doubt of myself. I feel my work is worthless but I know better. So I keep on and pick up the paintbrush even if it kills me to do it.I have bittersweet memories when I am creating.Then I am shocked what my new self has created. And I cant believe I did THAT!
The picture above is of my mama y grandma. I wasnt sure what would come out when I took this. I hadnt even realized they both had on pink. This photo makes me smile for some reason. I guess its because its what is so common to me-two Mexican ladies behind the wheel of a car in a big modern city-Dallas, isnt a sight we put much thought into even if youre Mexican yourself! And I like the bright ass pink and orange air freshner from the rearview mirror against the dull city color. I think the photo makes you wonder about the conversation between the two and the music on the radio. I dunno, but it makes me laugh that perhaps I have taken you to my world for once!
These are my thoughts for right now. I am gonna put some recent pieces of my art that I have sold and talk about my process for each of them. All my art has a story.