SAN FRANCISCO, January 13, 2011 — A new exhibition at San Francisco State University’s Fine Arts Gallery unveils the edgy, vibrant art scene that has emerged throughout Mexico, particularly in the capitol city. “México: Política y Poética,” on display Feb. 17 – March 24, shows a much different side of culture than the traditional folkloric art, as some of today’s most exciting artists turn trauma and social unrest into jarring, ironic imagery. Admission is free.
Accompanying talks, films commemorate Mexico’s anniversaries of independence, revolution
A multifaceted and riveting artistic celebration of the country’s 200th anniversary of independence and 100th anniversary of its revolution, “México: Política y Poética” will be accompanied by lectures, panel discussions and film screenings at both SF State and the de Young Museum.
The exhibit curators are Sharon Bliss and Mark Dean Johnson of SF State’s Fine Arts Gallery, Julio Cesar Morales and Bera Nordal.
“An exciting generation of artists has emerged in Mexico, conveying anti-aesthetic and ironic perspectives that most Americans have yet to see,” said Johnson, director of the Fine Arts Gallery and an Art professor. “As the Bay Area commemorates Mexico throughout 2011, we are delighted to provide art lovers several opportunities to enjoy the contemporary scene taking place below the border.”
Featured artists include: Francis Alÿs, Carlos Amorales, Miguel Calderón, Mathias Goeritz, Máximo Gonzalez, Daniel Guzmán, Dr. Lakra, Ilán Lieberman, marcelaygina, Moris (Israel Meza Moreno), Gabriel Orozco, José Clemente Orozco, José Guadalupe Posada, Alfredo Ramos Martinez, Jaime Ruiz Otis and Eduardo Terrazas.
Representing the new Mexico, the exhibition features works such as Gabriel Orozco’s computer generated animations and gouache geometric patterns on old-fashioned airplane tickets, Dr. Lakra’s tattoo art printed on vintage postcards, and art animations by Alÿs and Amorales. As a contrast, and to highlight the artistic legacy of the contemporary work, older work by modern-era artists represented in the exhibit include José Clemente Orozco, Posada, Goeritz, Terrazas and Ramos Martinez.
The opening reception for “México: Política y Poética” will take place Feb. 17 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., accompanied by several special events. Teresa Carrillo, professor and chair of the Raza Studies Department, will lead a panel discussion on contemporary art and politics in Mexico, from 2 to 4 p.m. The panel will also include Mexico City-based museum director scholar Itala Schmelz and Raza Studies Professor Roberto Rivera. Terrazas will give a lecture at 4 p.m. Mexico City poet Gloria Gervitz will present a reading at 3:30 p.m. at the Poetry Center. “¡Soy México!” — from 5 to 8 p.m. in Coppola Theatre — is a screening of avant-garde cinema, ethnographic films and cine-poems from post-revolutionary Mexico, including fragments from Sergei Eisenstein’s legendary and unfinished “Que Viva Mexico!” (1931) and rarely seen footage from Miguel Covarrubias’ ethnographic film experiments. “¡Soy México!” curator Tarek Elhaik and filmmaker Jesse Lerner will discuss the films. All events are free.
Complementary events for “México: Política y Poética” continue Feb. 18, with the opening of “DF>SF>TJ,” an exhibition of contemporary video work presented at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts.
Two events will take place at the de Young Museum on Feb. 20. At 1 p.m., Mark Dean Johnson will moderate a panel discussion on contemporary art and culture in Mexico, featuring Schmelz, Stanford Art Professor Enrique Chagoya, Tijuana artist Raul Cárdenas Osuna/Torolab, Sala de Arte Público Siqueiros Director Taiyana Pimentel and others. The conclusion of the “¡Soy México!” film program will be held 3–5 p.m. Both events are free with museum admission.
After the exhibit closes at SF State, “México: Política y Poética” will travel to the Nordic Watercolour Museum in Sweden. The museum will also publish a full-color catalog.
“México: Política y Poética” supporters include The Mexican Consulate of San Francisco, Fundación/Colección Jumex, AeroMexico, Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores and SF State’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, Instructionally Related Activities Fund and International Center for the Arts.
This program is dedicated to the reopening of San Francisco’s Mexican Museum.
Hours, Location and Parking
The Fine Arts Gallery is open Wednesdays–Saturdays, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. The gallery is located in the Fine Arts Building on the SF State campus, 1600 Holloway Ave. (at 19th Ave.), San Francisco. Public parking is available in Lot 20, accessed from Lake Merced Boulevard between Winston Drive and Font Boulevard. On weekends and evenings only, public parking is available in Lots 1 and 2, on Holloway Ave. (at 19th Ave.). Parking is $1 per hour with a $5 daily maximum. Nearby street parking is readily available on weekends. For details, visit www.sfsu.edu/~parking.
Calendar Editors, Please Note:
“México: Política y Poética”
Thursday, Feb. 17 – Thursday, March 24
This is a Mexico you haven’t yet seen. An edgy, riveting artistic celebration of the country’s 200th anniversary of independence and 100th anniversary of its revolution, “México: Política y Poética” unveils a much different side of culture than the traditional folkloric art, as some of today’s most exciting artists turn trauma and social unrest into jarring, ironic imagery. Curated by Sharon Bliss, Mark Dean Johnson, Julio Cesar Morales and Bera Nordal.
Fine Arts Gallery, Fine Arts Building, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave. (at 19th Ave.), San Francisco
Admission: Free
Information: 415/338-6535, http://creativearts.sfsu.edu/node/2666
Gallery hours: Wednesdays – Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Opening reception: Thursday, Feb. 17, 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
“¡Soy México!”
Taking its title from Chris Marker’s eponymous imaginary film-essay “Soy Mexico,” this program features a rich selection of avant-garde cinema, ethnographic films and cine-poems from post-revolutionary Mexico, including fragments from Sergei Eisenstein’s legendary and unfinished “Que Viva Mexico!” and rarely seen footage from Miguel Covarrubias’ ethnographic film experiments. Curated by Tarek Elhaik.
Thursday, Feb. 17, 5 p.m.
Coppola Theatre, Fine Arts Building, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave. (at 19th Ave.), San Francisco
Admission: Free
Information: 415/338-6535, http://creativearts.sfsu.edu/node/2675
Sunday, Feb 20, 3–5 p.m.
de Young Museum, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118
Admission: Free with museum admission
Information: 415/750-3600, http://creativearts.sfsu.edu/node/2676
Contact: Matt Itelson, (415) 338-1442, matti@sfsu.edu, College of Creative Arts, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132