Minerva Cuevas: Dark Matter at ICA North

 by Patricia Frischer

Irene de Watteville dances with the major mural at the opening of Dark Matter: 

Minerva Cuevas: Dark Matter at ICA North
Sat, Feb 19 - Sun, May 1, 2022
Minerva Cuevas is in residence until March 6, 2022

Minerva Cuevas is a new breed of conceptual artist. The traditional version is an artist who uses the idea or concept in such a way that it is considered more important than its appearance or execution. Ms. Cuevas is an ideas women who employed craftsmen to produce impressive art works. Her concepts are not manifested by her own hand, but the ideas are still the most important part of the works.

The tar dipped landscape pictures and artificial flowers in oil cans seem to be obviously a comment on the oil industry, pollutions, climate change, ecology.  But she has written an entire sort of manifesto called Against Activism. I found her writing so interesting and with so much to think about, maybe even more than the images. So then she slots right into the conceptual artist category, if you could possibly categorize her!

 

 

Against Activism by Minerva Cuevas

The unthinkable has caught up with us.

It took us an eternity understand culture as a form of struggle. We were contemplating and participating as actors in the ad nauseam. We trusted that someone would do something at a given moment, that they would undertake the campaign to enforce our zombie laws and constitutions. We stayed here, without having convinced the demons to act in our favor.

We buy life, we sold freedom. We negotiate frustration and desire. We didn´t come to understand that we need earth, not territory. We didn´t come to understand that we had to look animals in the eye. We have deconstructed, decolonized, recycled and ended up the same. Houston we have a problem: Houston you are the problem.

We didn´t come to understand what it is that puts us in relation. We ended up talking more clearly about sex than social relationships.

We have tried everything: lighting bonfires with extinguishers and then cooking the ideal social recipe, one that would respect our privileges and interests and still and because of that be ideal.

There is no worse emptiness than the abysm called change. We were here to destroy, not construct over the landscape in ruins. We preferred to abound in prescriptive thoughts. Pornorama.

A phase of geopolitical vicissitude has denoted a change in art and the circumstances of its production, distribution, and perception. But the thing is, half the world is starving. Activism as a static category with its denouement in statistics, not in aesthetics.

No to art as activism. Art as a possibly to establish relations, as a way of articulating resistance. The practice of medicine as another way of articulating resistance, the practice of teaching another way of articulating resistance, the practice of journalism another way of articulating resistance. Resistance.

We could never stop adoring the dead to defend the living. Death verbiage. Napalm ended up tasting like candy to us, we reached the level of death by manipulation. The extinction of civilization was reported as a violent event in which society assaulted its own habitat and its species until there was nothing left to call humanity, only a few men without memory remained. We didn´t have time, but time was all that we had.

The inferno belongs to those who work for it.

P.S. I understand that ICA North in Encinitas may have a bucket of tar available to dip various items. I don't want to miss that!

Live Interview with Wang Qingsong: Social Mobility at the San Diego Museum of Art

by Patricia Frischer

Wang Qingsong found a 100 year-old bath house that they were about to demolish, so he rented it for one day to take this photo before it was destroyed. 

How amazing is it that we can see a live talk with one of the world’s most famous artist and even get to ask questions? With a translator, this was such a special experience on zoom thanks to the San Diego Museum of Art.   The exhibition is on view until August 14 at the first floor galleries 14 and 15. 

Wang Qingsong was born in 1966 into poor family from north east China. His father died when he was a teen, and his mother was uneducated and so he needed to assume responsibility for his family. He studied hard.  He took 8 years to get into art school. Out of 2000 applicant only 20 got into art school, so this was a true sign of talent.

By 1992, China has entered a period where market economy was all. In 1993, Qingsong became a professional oil painter and moved to Beijing, his first big city experience. He knew nothing of the stress and expense for food and shelter.

His own early works were very personal about his intimate life. He wanted a new way to express himself. At that time, only those in the government were allowed to have a camera and take pictures. It was rare to own a camera or go onto the street to take a photograph to capture a moment. He tried to make a fake certificate as a journalist, but that did not work out. And actually he did not want to make documentary statement like a photo journalist, but to use the word "document" as a noun to show the social and economic changes. He makes a statement by arranging the subjects and props as a composition as was done in painting.  He creates images that are critical of the Chinese life style and commercialism, and they pose the question, “What is important?” using sarcasm and even humor.

By1996, traditional values had broken down. People were excited to make lots of money and develop the city scape. His series about Social Mobility started 20 years ago with changes in people's mentality, but now also physical environments have changes. Traditional cities have become cities of skyscrapers. One square meter was $500 and now 20 times as expensive ie. $10,000.  It was more friendly and small and local, now people are estranged.

World-wide his work is often seen as either anti-capitalism or anti-socialism which are opposite from each other! His personal overview of the world is one where he poses his own questions. When asked what the Chinese thought of his work, he states that most Chinese like his work a lot because he is seen to attack capitalism and also because the works reflects history and how China like to surpass other countries. Chinese admire progress. 

His biggest worry is that humans have lost the capacity to be empathetic and he wants to challenge them. But it is the sarcasm in the work where he most successfully makes his point.

China is all about being the second largest market economy, but the cities were full of rubble as shown in this before and after Buddha duo above. 

Qingsong thinks not only about differences between east and west cultural difference, but he seems fascinated with concepts of past, present, future. History is not truth, but what is recorded by human beings. And his interpretations shine new light on what we might think we know. 

A section of this long work. 

Detail in mid creation

We are showing just a few details from some of these works that made from 45 meter rolls of photographic paper.  They follow the tradition of oriental scrolls. 

When his first child was born, he started this series on education

Education has become an industry. The goal is to make work force with a higher degree of skills. There was lots of aid in the beginning to make this happen.  But now school has become so expensive. Every course was designed to increase the economy. When Qingsong went to school, he was allowed to be inspired and passionate about art. This is no longer true. Teachers are not so engaged with the student who seem only interested in making money. Now it is easier to get into art school and the work is more proscribed. People are not taught to be responsible and so they are more selfish and self-centered. 

Hector Villegas is the recipient of the Business of Art Scholarship

Introduction by Patricia Frischer

Since 2011, the San Diego Visual Arts Network has been supporting the Business of Art Scholarship in collaboration with the Mission Fed Art Walk. It has been our privilege to work with Sandi Cottrell to give first student sand now emerging artist a chance to experience a sales experience with a huge interaction with an audience. We are grateful to Patric Stillman and Studio Door for expanding the educational experience to a wider group of applicants. 

Now Blanca Lucia Bergman and Art Unites further expands that remit. With Blanca's  help, Sonya Sparks of Sparks Gallery is hosting a seminar  Feb 23 for artists in need of business information as well as a reception March 23) showing a few works by this year's recipient Hector Villegas.  The finale of the season will be a full display of Hector's work in a booth in Little Italy during the Mission Fed ArtWalk on April 30 and May 1. The ArtWalk is in its 38th year and San Diego Visual Arts Network is proud to have supported this program for the last 12 years. 

Text by Blanca Lucia Bergman

The Business of Art Scholarship Partners* are excited to announce The Business of Art Scholarship recipient, Hector Villegas. Over 160 artwork images from 33 artists were evaluated and Hector’s vibrant, captivating, and culturally significant artwork was selected to be showcased at one of Mission Fed ArtWalk’s artist booths on April 30 and May 1, 2022 in Little Italy. In addition to being awarded a booth, mentoring, publicity, art consulting, and marketing, Hector will be the guest of honor at The Business of Art Scholarship Reception hosted by Sparks Gallery on March 23, 2022. Our warmest congratulations to Hector Villegas for this accomplishment and his numerous contributions to his neighborhood, Barrio Logan, and our community at large. 

Hector Villegas has spent the last 7 years developing his acrylic painting and mural artistry in a Neo Mexika style. His works are a blend of Meso American glyphs, textiles, and 3-dimension geometry.

“My intention is to bring back images that tell stories of our culture and educate people about our rich history and struggle. My inspiration and purpose is to continue the tradition, ceremony, language, and history passed on to me by my elders...” - Hector Villegas

Hector is a first-generation Chicano from Barrio Logan in San Diego, California. The youngest of five siblings, Hector grew up in a low-income, single-family home. He faced adversity and hardship in his adolescence and survived gang and prison life as a young man. Ultimately, he dedicated himself to the visual and performing arts, education, community organizing, activism, and fatherhood. Hector is the proud father of Cuicani Quetzal and Yollotli Huitzilac.

Hector’s mother was born in Nayarit, Mexico and his father was born in Jalisco, Mexico. His indigenous Cora and Huichol roots are a gift from his mother and father, respectively, and deeply influential in his professional roles and artistry.

Hector shares a community-centric studio and gallery, Galeria 1904, with local artists who collectively feature Native Chicano art. His painted murals at Chicano Park (a national historic landmark and home to the nation’s largest collection of outdoor murals) exhibit Native Chicano traditional art through a contemporary lens. When Hector is not painting, he teaches Native, Mexicano, and Chicano art, history, and culture at the La Maestra Center for Youth Advancement in City Heights.

Hector regularly contributes to his neighborhood, Barrio Logan (one of the oldest and most culturally-rich urban neighborhoods in San Diego and one of 14 California Cultural Districts), as an active member of the Chicano Park Steering Committee, Barrio Logan Planning Group, Barrio Logan Maintenance Assessment District, and The Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center.

The Business of Art Scholarship at Mission Fed ArtWalk
April 30 and May 1, 2022
Little Italy, San Diego, CA 92101

The Business of Art Scholarship Reception for Hector Villegas
March 23, 2022, 6-7:30 pm at Sparks Gallery
530 Sixth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101

The Business of Art Seminar
February 23, 2022, 6-7:30 pm at Sparks Gallery
530 Sixth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
Fully booked, wait list available: email blancaluciabergman@gmail.com

The Business of Art Seminar in collaboration with Sparks Gallery and hosted by Blanca Lucia Bergman on Wed, Feb 23, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with Special guests: Lourdes Araiza photography, T. Jay Santa Ana graphic design and marketing, Yvette Roman art curation, and Shaun Cassidy art consulting. The Business of Art Scholarship is offered by San Diego Visual Arts Network and Mission Fed ArtWalk. Art Unites designed the Seminar for San Diego emerging visual artists with two strategic goals:1) to provide valuable art industry information based on research and interviews with San Diego County gallerists, museum executive directors, arts advocates, art curators, art consultants, and event organizers 2) to offer high quality resources that support art career advancement. Another equally exciting segment will be dedicated to elevator speeches and role playing by audience members. (This seminar is sold out, but a waiting list is available. Contact  blancaluciabergman@gmail.com) 

*The Business of Art Scholarship is offered by San Diego Visual Arts Network and Mission Fed ArtWalk, produced by Art Unites, and sponsored by Sparks Gallery.

Mission Fed ArtWalk - CONNECTING CREATIVE COMMUNITIES. Mission Fed ArtWalk is San Diego’s largest urban arts festival. Over 300 artists participate each year and over 100,000 visitors purchase approximately $1 million worth of artwork. The two-day festival also includes live music, food vendors, and art activities for kids amidst the hip, historic charm of downtown San Diego’s Little Italy.

San Diego Visual Arts Network - San Diego Visual Arts Network (SDVAN) is a database of information produced to improve the clarity, accuracy and sophistication of discourse about San Diego's artistic and cultural life and is dedicated to the idea that the Visual arts are a vital part of the health of our city. SDVAN provides a resource-rich website and facilitates countless opportunities for inspiration and collaboration on visual arts projects.

Art Unites - Art Unites’ mission is to unite artists with fellow artists and arts supporters via Art Unites events and social pages; provide artists with meaningful and professionally rewarding opportunities created by Art Unites and Art Unites Community Partners; and provide San Diego with diverse services and products created, redesigned, or procured by San Diego artists.

Sparks Gallery - Sparks Gallery exhibits and sells original contemporary artwork primarily by Southern California artists who innovate and provide excellent craftsmanship in a multitude of mediums. With a focus on surreal and impressionistic artwork, the gallery curates towards emotive works in themes ranging from portraiture and figurative to landscape and conceptual. Sparks Gallery champions artistic talent in the region and serves as a nexus for creative conversations to elevate the local artistic community.

For more information, contact Blanca Lucia Bergman blancaluciabergman@gmail.com (619) 540-0310

Ingram Ober and Marisol Rendón Ober start process for new art work at Beyer Park San Ysidro

 by Patricia Frischer

Ingram Ober and Marisol Rendón Ober are familiar names from the New Contemporary exhibitions in Ober in 2021 and Rendón 2009. We have been following their work ever since and it is so impressive to see the progress they have made apart and together. In this presentation by Charles Miller from The City of San Diego Commission of Arts and Culture we get an overview of their work and an opportunity to give in put on their new commissioned work for Beyer Park in San Ysidro.  

The participants in this zoom call mentioned topic and facts to consider like bad air quality, a once present dairy farm, a hard won skate board park, the need to help the protected species of the burrowing owl and to respect the original occupants Kumeyaay tribe. Ober and Rendón spend time in San Ysidro and have two sons who go to school in the neighboring Chula Vista. But they are looking to become as involved as possible in the community. To that end there is a Survey open until Sunday Feb 27 to get local information  about all aspects of the community.  They would also love to attend local events and welcome invitations. Ingram Ober teaches at Palomar College and Marisol Rendon Ober at Southwestern College. 

What you see below is a selection of works by each of the artist on their own, and some of their community works alone and together done in the last years. 

Marisol Rendón Ober

Marisol Rendón Ober

Marisol Rendón Ober for the New Children's Museum

Ingram Ober

Ingram Ober

Ingram Ober and Marisol Rendón Ober - photos of many of the residents of the area around South Crest and Cholla. Superimposed on one another and then made into low relief brickettes. 

Ingram Ober and Marisol Rendón Ober

Ingram Ober and Marisol Rendón Ober - the finished work represents an array of the community and a combination of names for the region. 

Ingram Ober and Marisol Rendón Ober Firestation Sculpture  with sound elements

Ingram Ober and Marisol Rendón Ober detail

Ingram Ober and Marisol Rendón Ober work on the Greenpeace Ship while in San Diego

 I Found It: Ingram Ober and Marisol Rendón Ober Grayton Underwater Park in Florida. These two sculptures were made for soft corrals to inhabit with a third one on the way.  

Three Wishes:  Ingram Ober and Marisol Rendón Ober Grayton Underwater Paik in Florida