We made it to DC with 3 of the CALAVERAS…slight problem with one of the boxes jamming the security x-ray machine leaving El Paso, but after that it was smooth going. Looking forward to the DC promo event tomorrow! Thanks to everyone who has contributed over the last few days….Hoping to be making a lot of those special prints. Have a great day everyone!
Truly inspiring day today. Five hours in the production studio with videographer and sound-master TONY DUENEZ working on the Kickstarter video. Tony and I have collaborated on countless projects, and having him involved with this project is both a blessing and a pleasure. Looking to submit the Kickstarter campaign for approval on Tuesday. Stay posted…
PROJECT UPDATE; Very exciting step forward with the project today. We have entered into a very promising dialog with the MEXICAN CONSULATE, discussing the possibility of the 2013 premier of the HERMOSOS HUESOS Project, being part of the 2013 cultural affairs calendar with the consulate. Submitting a prospectus on Monday, which will be reviewed by the general council in Mexico City. Once approved, the 15 installations of HERMOSOS HUESOS, would be scheduled to move into the consulate gallery space, immediately following the exhibits premier showing in a location TBD. Going to bed tonight with a tremendous sense of appreciation, gratitude and optimism. The universe continues to bless this project.
One of the graphics for the REWARDS portion of the HERMOSOS HUESOS Kickstarter campaign is complete. The “She Lives” graphic will be used on the official HERMOSOS HUESOS T-shirt, as well as a printed art piece. The HERMOSOS HUESOS Kickstarter campaign is scheduled to launch November 2, 2012…..DIA DE LOS MUERTOS!
11 hours, 7 people, 3 locations…Amazing day of shooting footage, photography and narrative for the KICKSTARTER video. Thank you Jim Billings, Tony Duenez, Joe Barela, Alejandra Helm, Bill Helm and Edgar Lopez.
LA NOVIA INVIERNO; Complete installation. Approximately 80″ tall. Wood, re-purposed aluminum, recycled metal, newspaper, bedpost, twigs, re-cycled fabric and clothing, recycled glass bottle, vintage earrings, vintage bridal bouquet pieces, flowers from scrap fabic, braided string scrap and re-cycled wire, re-cycled aluminum foil, re-used aluminum pie plates, seashells. — with jim billings, alejandra helm and tony duenez at Las Cruces, NM.
Making “something” out of “nothing” has been a lifelong skill, starting with the childhood experiences of my family’s antique, vintage clothing and costume shop. ”Second hand”, “yard sale” and “thrift store” were all terms I was very familiar with, and my mother’s ability to see the beauty and POTENTIAL in almost anything is actually a genetic trait that passed directly to me. I would ultimately get my degree in costume design, and anyone that knows academic theatre, knows there are never big budgets for producing the shows we, as students, would hon our skills on. So again, utilizing that ability to create from what is available, served me well.
As we move into the age where SUSTAINABILITY, RE-CYCLING, RE-PURPOSING, ETC ETC…..have become catch phrases and trendy practices, for me…it’s like the rest of the world is finally catching on. The combination of upbringing, eduction, and personal preference, had already made me an artist (and citizen) whose go-to resource was the dumpster…or at least the thrift store! Finally…people are understanding the value of utilizing found objects, starting with the fundamental palette of “what’s there” versus just purchasing and consuming what’s presumably “needed”. Taking all that into account, it was natural, almost necessary, that HUESOS HERMOSOS be built on this fundamental practice of utilizing found objects. Taking it a step further, there is also a metaphoric relationship between giving new life to somewhat “dead” materials, and the fact that the core inspiration of the work comes from a celebration of the dead. Regardless of the metaphors and trends, it just feels “right” to re-use
It would be an understatement to say my heart and soul are in this project. As any artist must, having this conviction to a work, body of work, or project, is essential. Though I sometimes feel “new” to the lightening speed and ever-changing nature of the cyber world, I am thankful to have this blog and be able to establish a portal of communication between myself, and followers of HERMOSOS HUESOS. Thank you for your interest, and WELCOME to my world!
Really…the HERMOSOS HUESOS project has been a lifetime in the making. I think you find this true with many artists; regardless of training or skill, each subsequent project brings the “life experience” of all the previous projects to the table. This is certainly the case for me and for the HERMOSOS HUESOS project.
THE SUBJECT- Growing up in southern NM, the latino culture has been a major player in my creative influence. I have been surrounded by the customs and traditions of this colorful culture, and it is only natural that it would find it’s way into my art. Specifically, Dia de Los Muertos has always been one of my favorites. Growing up in a liberally religious family, I was always open to the practices and traditions of MANY religions. There is no intended religious comment in this body of work, but you can’t ignore the ties between Dia de Los Muertos and the Catholic religion. That said, though Catholicism was not part of my direct religious heritage, I was fascinated by it’s practices, and even more curious about this colorful holiday. As I learned more about the customs, practices and icons of Dia de Los Muertos, the CATRINA figure (elaborately dressed female skeleton) became one of my primary interests.
In retrospect, my fascination with her is a “no brainer”…I have always loved elaborate costuming, adornment, and all things accessorized. If you follow her aesthetic over the years (decades), it’s natural I would be drawn to her character. What’s not to love about a women with a giant, feather filled picture hat! There could, perhaps, be some influence of my mother here…but that’s an entire other (amazing) story.
It wasn’t until later in life, that I truly understood the story behind CATRINA, and at that point, discovered the art and history of Jose Guadalupe Posada. I didn’t realize it then, but that was the beginning of my drive, perhaps obsession, to create this body of work. I won’t go into the history of Posada now (see future posts), but needless to say, creating a body of work inspired by Posada, as an homage to Posada, has become a primary influence and motivation behind this project.
MORE TO COME…
We are 32 days away from the launch of the KICKSTARTER funding campaign for the HERMOSOS HUESOS project. The overall project consists of 15 individual INSTALLATIONS and the corresponding BOOK. The 15 “Catrina” figures for each of the installations are close to being done. To show supporters the nature of each of the project installations, I am completing one installation, which includes the central figure, her environment, and the case which she is displayed in. All three of these elements (figure-environment-case) support the artistic expression of the piece. The piece that is being completed is entitled “Novia Invierno” -or- Winter Bride. She was actually one of the first figures I completed over a year ago.
I decided to use this particular figure for the exemplary installation, because I noticed as I showed the various figures to people, the “bride” always seemed to resonate strongly. The idea or theme of “bride” is something everyone has a connotation to, regardless of cultural or historical backgrounds….makes sense. Also, the monochromatic element of this piece is interesting to me, and somewhat challenging in creating the full installation.
I’ve included some photos of the figure. When the complete installation is done….I will post those pics as well, so you will truly understand the process of how this body of work evolves.
More to come….!
HERMOSOS HUESOS (Beautiful Bones); The Project 