Month: May 2009

Reclaiming the Animated Gif Part 3

yanez

In these early days of May there’s a lot pushed on us that will supposedly make me proud to be Mexican (er, Chicano). I can appreciate the politics of May 1st but when it comes to Cinco de Mayo I usually associate it with simplifying history, beer ads, and drunk college kids. I’m all for gettin’ sauced up now and then but please don’t do that shit in the name of my people.

That said, what’s made me proud to be Mexican American recently is the work of Mexican artist Jaime Martinez. With all the writing I’ve done about animated gifs so far I was excited to discover that these works of art were done by a Mexicano. I’m not sure what technique he uses for capturing his images, if he’s quick on the draw with the shutter or he uses multiple cameras. His methods give them the visual depth of old fashioned stereograms.

According to his site, Jaime Martínez was born in Monterrey México (1978) and he is currently living in Mexico City. His art sheds light on the potential of animated gifs. These mind-blowing images are truly state of the art. Enjoy.

Peace,

Rio

Documenting The BART Performance Project

yanez

This weekend performer/writer/director Marc Pinate asked me to document a series of performances that his troupe would be staging on BART trains. I excitedly agreed and had a very fun time photographing his performers as they both shocked and amused riders on the trains the boarded. Some photos are below.

For the complete set CLICK HERE

I also shot a series of behind the scenes photos of the performers getting ready and hanging out. To see that set of photos CLICK HERE.

Peace,

Rio

Holla at my Hebrew Hybrids!

yanez

hebrewmamita

Shouts to Maya Escobar! A recent post on her blog schooled me to the genius of Vanessa Hidary aka The Hebrew Mamita. As The Hebrew Mamita Hidary performs in the style of a homegirl both visually and vocally. Hidary’s persona is not a case of brown-face but a unique hybrid of two cultures; she comes correct.


Hidary’s ability to discuss her Jewish identity and experiences while talkin’ hella mad shit is amazing. She’s a kindred spirit to my Ghetto Frida project. After watching the videos on her youtube page I didn’t hesitate for a minute to head over to the official Hebrew Mamita online store and purchase her CD. She describes the album as “not appropriate for young children but spectacular for adults with flava!” a line I’m kicking myself for not coming up with.

El Rio’s got The Hebrew Mamita’s back in the Bay Area, f’sho!

Peace,

Rio

A Pregnant Pause…

yanez

So many of my friends are either pregnant or having children. I’ve always considered myself waaaaaaay too young to have kids, I’m just not there in my life at this point. That said, I was stopped dead in my tracks by this photo of Manda Rin holding Sci-Fi Steven’s newborn daughter. Bis was one of my favorite bands as a teenager and I’ve aged and grown up concurrently with its members. My mind is adrift…

Peace,

Rio

The Great Tortilla Conspiracy in Oakland

yanez

I just got back from Oakland’s Red Door Gallery. The Great Tortilla Conspiracy held an event during the reception of Death is Easy; Comedy is Hard and it went great. Jos, Rene, and I continued with our recent practice of making quesadillas with our tortilla art and serving them as something to eat to the public. This time we took it a step farther and created a menu for the event.

Things went really well tonight, especially considering how wet the weather was. The menus were a big hit and we served over 150 tortillas and quesadillas to the public during the four hour event. The images that we silkscreened this time were created by Jos and Rene and I created the menus. They had labor and immigration themes to concide with the May 1st related events happening around the city. Check out some images and artwork below.

Last but not least I wanna give an extra-special shout to my homegirl Cindylu. She was in town from L.A. and surprised me at the gallery. In between me serving up quesadillas we got a chance to catch up a little bit and check out the exhibit. While we were walking around I shot this photo of her standing under part of an installation and it’s my favorite photo of the night.

The Great Tortilla Conspiracy will make their return during this event on Thursday, May 7th. More details on that coming soon!

Peace,

Rio

Mom is a Rebel

yanez

My homegirl Melanie Cervantes just sent me a link to work she did recently with her organization Dignidad Rebelde. As part of marches and activities centered around May 1st she produced a series of bandanas to be worn by protesters that feature my mom’s “Who’s the Illegal Alien Pilgrim” artwork. Quite a stylish way to stay anonymous if I do say so myself.

Melanie’s photo and explanation are below.

Huaxtec invited us to be part of their banner and art making party and BBQ in preparation for May 1st (the art not the BBQ).  We were able to support the production of bandanas using classic images like that of Yolanda Lopez’s “Whose the Illegal Alien Pilgram?” and slogans like “We didn’t cross the borders, the borders crossed us”. Young people also produced silkscreened posters, stenciled posters and graffiti style banners.

Peace,

Rio