Tag: rio yañez

Olmos Famous Episode 2

yanez

Katynka Martinez and I are back with the latest episode of our podcast Olmos Famous. In this episode we take a look at season 22, episode 16 of The Simpsons featuring Cheech and Chong. What happens when Cheech Marin tries to educate Homer on Chicano art? Does Springfield’s Latino population live in East-Springfield? What inspired the psychedelic sequence in the episode? Listen and find out!

Olmos Famous Episode 2

Extra bonus: Here’s the Olmos Famous *exclusive* side-by-side comparison of the Simpsons’ version of Xavier Viramontes’ Boycott Grapes print and the original.

Stay tuned for more Latino media commentary and witty banter!

Rio

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Novelas, Love and Other Adventures

yanez

In less than 24 hours my 31ist birthday will be upon me. In my mailbox today there was the postcard for my next exhibit and seeing it brought a tear to my eye. I can’t think of a better way to close out my 30th year and start my 31st than by seeing my name listed between Jaime Hernandez, my art hero and greatest influence, and Mayra Ramirez, one of my best friends. Today I feel truly humbled and blessed.

Novelas, Love and Other Adventures

Featuring: Jaime Hernandez, Rio Yañez and Mayra Ramirez

This group show investigates the realm of graphic novels and comic books from a Latino perspective

MACLA

510 S. First Street

San Jose, CA 95113

http://www.maclaarte.org

Exhibition Dates: January 26th – March 26th, 2011

Opening Reception and Artist Talk: February 4th, at 7:00pm

Join us for a gallery walk through and an engaging conversation about their work.

Comic and Graphic Novel Workshop: Saturday, February 19th, 2011

For more information please call: (408) 998-2808

Gallery hours: Wednesday & Thursday, 12:00pm to 7:00pm, Friday & Saturday, 12:00pm to 5:00pm and by special appointment.

Free Admission

La Pura Cura Purikura

yanez

This past weekend I embarked on my second collaboration with the brilliant and loco por sure Guillermo Gomez-Peña (along with members of his performance troupe La Pocho Nostra). Our project is La Pura Cura Purikura. It’s an ongoing project of purikura photos costumed, performed, and decorated by Gomez-Pena, facilitated and decorated by myself.

For this first shoot we were joined by La Pocha member Kika Olsen (below).

Gomez-Peña had the idea to dress himself as a post-apocalyptic border-shaman. With that in mind we all packed up our costumes and props and traveled to Pikapika in Japantown for a purikura adventure. Suffice to say we turned a few heads while we took photos and as Guillermo and Kika got into their characters amongst confused Japanese teenagers.

Below is a sampling of the images we created together. There are more planned Purikura sessions on the way with La Pocha Nostra so stay tuned! For a full gallery of La Pura Cura Purikura CLICK HERE.

Peace,

Rio

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I woke up this morning and I was 30

yanez

My good friend Juan Garza sent me this photo of my Dad and I in Los Angeles. I was 17 at the time of this photo and it seemed to put everything in perspective. I feel great right now and happy to be around my loved ones for my birthday. On Saturday I had the greatest birthday party of my life. Thanks to everyone who made it out to SomArts and gave me this incredible experience.

One of the biggest surprises of the night was receiving this portrait by my old friend Matt Lopez. I hadn’t seen Matt since my 21st birthday party.

My homegirl of homegirls Carina C. serenaded me in true Marilyn Monroe style. I was blushin’ and felt so special.

Last but not least, Maya Chinchilla and Cruz Grimaldo performed an original piece in my honor. I was so touched to be honored by such great artists and performers. Here are the Lyrics:

(sung to tune of Copacabana)
His name is Rio he’s post (post) Chicano
and when he walks into the room all the ladies stop and swoon
He likes purikura and Mariela
and on his way to be a star, you might catch him tending bar!
across a crowded floor, he’s so soft and hard-core
he’s about to take over the world…who could ask-for-more!

(Chorus)At the SOMArts! Somos bananas!
The hot spot past Mission on Brannan
at the SOMArts! Somos bananas!
(with Rio) Music and passion are always in fashion
At the SOMArts…. let’s all make love

He likes Godzilla, and his mamita
and he doesn’t get too sad making tortillas with his dad
ooo! quesadillas with ghetto Frida
on his way to turning 30, you might catch him getting dirty
with the pics he took and dearest comic books
Can he top his twenties?who cares? with his-good-looks?!

(Chorus)At the SOMArts! Somos bananas!
The hot spot past Mission on Brannan
at the SOMArts! Somos bananas!
(with Rio) Music and passion are always in fashion
At the SOMArts…. let’s all make love

My friends didn’t let me down when it came to the party’s Scott Pilgrim theme. Mariela fashioned a me as Scott Pilgrim piñata from a Go Diego Go one. We all had fun taking swings at it. Check out Anais chopping my face of like a Samurai.

Maya C. came dressed as Scott Pilgrim’s ex, Envy Adams.

Robynn brought two friends who came in costume. It was an awesome surprise to see two Ramonas and Maggie (mechanic era) from Love & Rockets.

Sarah G. came dressed as Sex Bob-Omb drummer Kim Pine!

Winnie came dressed as Knives Chau! Here she is holding my piñata face as a trophy.

There’s so many people I’d like to thank for making my party so special but I’d like to singles out 3. Carina helped plan and set up every level of the party. She helped arrange everything, performed, and stayed with me to 3:00 AM so we could clean up. I really want to thank and acknowledge the beautiful and amazing Yesenia. She was the camera operator who shot all of the video during the party and was great company. Thanks homegirl!

Lastly I want to thank my rock for being the love of my life. Without her none of this would have been possible. I met Mariela a few days after I had turned 20 and I’m so happy to be with her now into my 30’s. Love you baby!

Peace out,

Rio

Ps. Thanks Mom and Dad for doin’ it.