Chicano Art Movement

7th May 2013

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CHICANO ART MOVEMENT attends: Chican@s (re)Imagining Zapata @ UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center Library

Display case at the entrance to UCLA CSRC Library showcasing UFW pieces from Chican@s (re)Imagining Zapata exhibit.

CAM:
Last week Anita and I attended two exhibitions in one day on our cultured filled date. With our permission slips signed and all four wheels rotating simultaneously, we headed to destination number one of our two stops. The first visual delight was contemporary Artist Gary Baseman’s, The Door Is Always Open at The Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. Which was a spectacular survey that takes you through the artist career and life. Mr. Baseman is one of my favorite Low brow/Pop Surrealism artists. But, for The Door Is Always Open write up on the exhibition will have to read it on my other blog (Shhh, if you know which one it is, enjoy!)
I would like to recognize the Skirball Cultural Center for having the most friendliest museum staff.
Mr. Baseman, I have two words for you artwork and The Door Is Always Open exhibition, Visual Heaven.

Wait a minute, is that who I think it is? Mr. Baseman visiting “The Door Is Always Open” exhibition. The real almost felt surreal.

Stop deux, would be to the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), for Chican@s (re)Imagining Zapata at the Chicano Studies Research Center Library, which runs until May 10, 2013. I had already viewed the exhibition online, but I wanted to take a gander in person to view these images I have only seen in books and on the internet. One of those pieces I wanted to see in person was Andy Zermeño’s poster, “No Tomen Gallo (Don’t Drink Gallo)”, which is an iconic UFW image used to boycott Gallo Winery in the early 1970’s.

Remnants of Ramiro Gomez Jr.s “Luxury Interrupted” exhibition

The “No Tomen Gallo (Don’t Drink Gallo)” artwork was exhibited with other UFW and Chicano related pieces outside of the Chicano Studies Research Center Library in a display case at the entrance. Upon entering the CSRC Library the first piece to awake my visual perception was not from Chican@s (re)Imagining Zapata, but from the previously held exhibition, Ramiro Gomez’s, Luxury Interrupted (Pictured above). I visited Ramiro’s home in 2012 (Read here) where I saw the actual Mid-Century sofa he depicted in the artwork (pictured above). Which brought a grin to my face while in conversation with Anita about said piece.

Barrio Bilingual Communications - “Las Carilleras” 1977 

The next poster I was pleased to view in persona from Chican@s (re)Imagining Zapata was Barrio Bilingual Communications - “Las Carilleras”, a thought provoking image of a Chicana draped in artillery ammunition, who looks prepared to fight por la causa. Although my favorites had to be the El Taller Gráficos, Black and Red United Farm Worker posters. Which contained images of Mexican heroes, Francisco ‘Pancho’ Villa and Emiliano Zapata.

Malaquis Montoya artwork located inside the Chicano Studies Research Center conference room

While exploring Haines Hall at UCLA, we came upon the Chicano Studies Research Center conference room. Where two more of Mr. Gomez’s artworks were situated along a wall with a large scale serigraph diptych by Chicano master Carlos Almaraz, titled “Mystery in the Park” and three smaller black & white works by master printer Malaquis Montoya, that were located on opposite walls in the conference room. Which were pleasant surprises to discover while on our visit to this recognized institution. The Almaraz work was an exquisite museum worthy piece which was donated to UCLA CSRC.

Visit Chican@s (re)Imagining Zapata exhibit. Runs until May, 10th, 2013 @ the UCLA CSRC Library

More images @ CHICANO ART MOVEMENT Facebook page

Tagged: chicanoxicanachicano movementuclagary baseman