Luanda Lozano
Palén Obesa
Rachel Sydlowski
Yasuyo Tanaka
Tammy Wofsey
Por favor complete esta hoja para poder recibir la información para nuestro evento virtual por la plataforma de Zoom. Usted recibirá un correo electrónico el día anterior con el enlace y la contraseña para entrar al evento. ¡Esperamos verle!
BxArts Factory, The Point CDC and Villalobos Brothers present:
Hombres de Arcilla / Men of Clay
April 22 to May 29, 2017
The Point Campus for the Arts and Environment
1391 Lafayette Avenue,
The Bronx, NY, 10454
“Hombres de Arcilla” (Men of Clay) showcases Alberto Villalobos’ collection of 43 hand-made clay masks. These masks honor the memory of the 43 disappeared students from Ayotzinapa, Guerrero, Mexico. About his work, Villalobos says “for me, clay represents the fragility of life, yet the resilience of the human spirit. I hope that by giving faces to the disappeared, their memory may live on.” Special guest artist, Miguel Angel Mendoza Melchor will also be exhibiting oil portraits of all 43 students.
Schedule of events:
Saturday, April 22 – 5 to 9 p.m.
Opening Reception
Sunday, May 7 – 1 to 3 p.m.
Community Action Day
Saturday, May 13
Collaborative Workshop after the Bronx River Alliance Flotilla
Tuesday, May 16 – 4 to 6 p.m.
Clay Art Workshop with Alberto Villalobos
Saturday, May 27 – 5 to 8 p.m.
Closing Reception – Writing/Poetry Night – Remembering the Missing
Gallery Hours:
Wednesdays – 4:30 to 6:30 pm
Saturdays – 3:00 to 5:00 pm
Sundays – 3:00 to 5:00 pm
In what ways is art a universal language?
In terms of the need of humankind to communicate, it’s a way of communicating when words or sounds fail us. Art is the common denominator of humankind. In that sense, its intrinsic value comes from being a representation of an idea. Art is the process of taking an idea, that can’t quite be expressed in language, and physically manifesting that idea.
And I’m not just referring to the kind of “art” that hangs in a gallery. I have great admiration for the skill and mastery derived from years dedicated to perfecting a trade or “craft” like leather working, ceramics, or woodworking. Even cooking. I think that is absolutely an art form and shows our innate need to create, connect, and communicate with each other.
What are some cultural archetypes you feel more connected to and why?
I think we all have archetypes in our minds that tell us what or how a “Mexican,” or a “Latino,” or even a “beautiful” piece of art should look like. I have a lot of fun twisting and challenging those pre-conceived notions. I am Mexican, but I am also not only Mexican. I am Alberto, but I am also just a man, a citizen in this universe.
Archetypes that are so deeply rooted in our imaginary collective, much like “immigrant,” “war,” “justice,” “Mestizo” have such a deep connection to the history of mankind that they are often times difficult to separate from the actual piece that is supposed to represent them. That, to me, is a vast field of exploration and growth as an artist, especially with this project.
What is the impact of using clay to honor the memory of the 43 disappeared students from Ayotzinapa, Guerrero, Mexico on the viewer looking at the piece? What was the impact of using clay on you as the artist?Using clay has been a life changing experience. I remember using clay as a child and have fond memories of it, but using it as a grown man really has transformed the way that I approach creating a piece. I cannot describe the feeling of connectedness to your hands, thoughts, and the soil, that sculpting with clay gives you. It’s almost therapeutic. You have to be patient and focused, but also firm and gentle. It’s something that comes from the ground, so simple yet so profound. I’ve yet to meet a master ceramist that doesn’t emanate this inner peace attributed to monks and religious men and women. Hopefully, something similar will happen to the viewers. It certainly happened to me when I looked at all a wood fired piece for the first time. My senses were overwhelmed, I was in awe.
The other day my girlfriend and I were at The Point Campus, working on the exhibit. A passerby saw that we had a small bonfire going and he asked us “What are you guys doing?” We explained to him that we were “firing” a mask. To which he replied “Why?… To get rid of it?”.
It made me realize that for most people, fire only has the potential to destroy. But once you start working with clay, you realize that fire, or heat, is actually what makes a piece stronger. I think that’s a powerful analogy, about taking the difficulties that life throws at us and not letting them destroy us. Actually using them to make us stronger, more resilient. And that’s part of what I’m trying to convey with “Hombres de Arcilla.” Let’s not forget about the thousands of activists, journalists, men and women that have been murdered or disappeared in Mexico in the last few decades. Let’s not let the “fire” destroy them. Let the fire be what makes them stronger.
The “creation of man from clay” is a theme that recurs throughout world religions and mythologies, it is, in many respects, the first parent/child or family narrative. In what ways has your family impacted your creation/ creation process?
My family has always been very supportive when it comes to my art. And because my brothers and I are very close in age and were homeschooled by our parents, there’s always been this sense of collaboration. Especially when it comes to being creative. So Luis and Ernesto aren’t just my brothers; they’re also my classmates, my co-workers, my roommates, my biggest fans, my harshest critics, and above all my best friends. I know that I wouldn’t be creating this exhibit today without them.
Because it’s always been there, like water and fire, clay is earth – an essential element for life. And since the beginning of time, cultures all over the planet have created masterpieces with just these three elements. There’s something very god-like in creating something out of clay. Because once it’s fired, it’s permanent. That fired piece of clay will outlive its creator.
How can we follow you & your work?
VillalobosBrothers.com
AlbertoVillalobos.com
youtube.com/villalobosbrothers
fb.com/villalobosbrothers
@villalobosbros
By Natalie Caro
In a time where big box stores threaten local economies, holidays have become the battle ground for sustainable growth in our communities. Instead of gifting iPads and other popular branded store- bought items, what about gifting hand crafted art? Our anniversary event, will provide an opportunity to gift a one of kind present.
For the last two years, BxArts Factory has held on exhibition an amazing collection of 12×12 pieces created by talented artists from the Bronx and beyond. We are fortunate enough to have a few pieces left, but we must return unsold pieces to their creators soon.
Our 12×12 pieces will be available for purchase during our Anniversary event. Each purchase not only supports a local artist and a local economy, but it also contribute to our fundraiser goal for 2017 and bringing arts programming to local community members.
Do something sustainable.
Buy something beautiful.
Bring art to your home and to homes of your neighbors.
Saturday, March 26
From 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Bronx Music Heritage Center Laboratory
1303 Louis Nine Boulevard
Bronx, NY, 10459
BxArts Factory, in partnership with the Bronx Music Heritage Center, collaborated with the Neighborhood Shopp Senior Center La Casa Boricua to bring you the stories of a group of senior citizens from our community.
Poets Peggy Robles-Alvarado, Bonafide Rojas, El David & Andres Chulisi Rodriguez will present original works inspired by their stories, including their journeys to the United States and their lives in the Bronx.
Additionally, artist and videographer Melanie Gonzalez will present a series of short video-stories/documentaries created to further highlight their stories. This event will also be the culmination of our art exhibition, Memories Un-Remembered: Thinking of Home (Longing).
FREE EVENT
Saturday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The Bronx Music Heritage Center Laboratory
1303 Louis Nine Blvd, Bronx, New York 10459
Join us to talk with the artists of Memories Un-remembered: Thinking of Home (Longing) – Francheska Alcantara, Stephanie Mota, Lazarus Nazario and Edwin Torres accompanied by curator Alexis Mendoza.
Our conversation will focus on the inspiration behind all the pieces and personal stories related to the topic of longing and nostalgia for home.
This is a free event and open to the public.
This event is brought to you in partnership with the Bronx Music Heritage Center Laboratory
BxArts Factory in partnership with the Bronx Music Heritage Center (BMHCLab) presents:
Special Photo Project Screening and Panel – Close to Home: Mi Familia and the Diaspora by Edwin Torres (BRIO Winner) will be presenting his project as part of Memories Un-Remembered: Thinking of Home (Longing) sponsored by the Bronx Council on the Arts.
BxArts Factory in partnership with Bronx Music Heritage Center present our 1st project of 2016!
Memories Un-Remembered: Thinking of Home (Longing).
This Arts Exhibition/Community Project was curated by Alexis Mendoza and include artists Francheska Alcantara, Stephanie Mota, Lazarus Nazario and Edwin Torres.
Opening Reception: Saturday, February 6th from 6 to 9 pm
1303 Louis Nine Boulevard, Bronx NY 10459
For more details please visit our FB event page:
Francheska Alcantara’s body of work transforms a vacant space into something unique and beautiful without any outside materials, metaphorically speaking to the way immigrants arrive at a new, unfamiliar place with minimal material possessions, and transform the existing area into a beautifully unique neighborhood laden with culture.
Who am I? Where do I come from? How do I place myself in society? These questions are just the start of Alcantara’s internal dialogue dealing with identity, feminism, psychological states, and cultural background.
The relationships, dreams, hopes, and cultural values that support the series of mixed media sculptures created by Stehanie Mota titled “Mi-Pietā” es nothing less than a personal exploration in which the portrait take a form of a domestic object, a sentimental/conceptual expression of identity. Every material she used in the series (wood kitchen cabinets, stovetop coffee pot, rice, etc) are a further representation of the nuances of her nostalgia associated with her mother. Lazarus Nazario mixed painting with other media such as: printmaking, and found objects to confront social practices concerning her ancestors’ homeland that celebrates cultural differences while underscoring our shared history and humanity. Whether in public spaces or intimate settings, her painting explores the human figure from the intimate osmosis between essences and appearances. Her work shows the fusion of many languages to point out a clear reference of a sense of belonging.
In the same reflection Edwin Torres use as a subject his own family. “I am certain that in conclusive form, this work will have multiple layers of meaning for my family and will serve as a document to the Puerto Rican diaspora. This work is a journey of self-discovery and careful looking, where I will clarify my cultural identity and reconnect family together”. In the on-going series “Close to Home: Mi Familia and the Diaspora” we can feel the overwhelming reflection of two aspects “memory” and “place” negotiating the physical and psychological aspects of acculturation built into immigrants’ daily lives through adaptation and integration. For the past year, Edwin Torres have focused his work on documenting traumatic events and daily life in his immediate family.
BORI-CUBA 2X2
November 6 – December 18, 2015, 3:30-7:00pm daily, Abrazo Interno Gallery.
We would like to express our appreciation to all the people that make BORIMIX BORI-CUBA 2X2 possible. We are very thankful for the public’s response, to the 500 plus people present at the opening reception and all the people that continue visiting the exhibition and requesting private viewing of the show. We would also like to thank the sponsors and all the organization that collaborated with the realization of BORIMIX Festival, which celebrates Puerto Rican Arts and Culture each November. BORI-CUBA 2X2 explores the relationship between the two island nations of Cuba and Puerto Rico and their respective diasporas. Cuba and Puerto Rico have often been referred to as “wings of the same bird,” sharing a strong Taino strand in their pre-Colombian history and common Spanish colonial heritage.
Our sincere appreciation goes to Miguel Trelles, Co-curator of BORI-CUBA 2X2 and Board Member of the Clemente Soto Velez Center for his trust and support. Additionally, we would like to express our gratitude to the staff of the Clemente Soto Velez Center: Jan Hanvik, Executive Director; Dr. Manuel Moran, CEO of Society of the Educational Arts, and Borimix co-creator; Harvey Padilla, Mariana Ortiz, Venues Manager; Yvette Rodriguez, Bookkeeper; Rebecca Weiss, Social Media Manager; Tal Sharon, Senior House Manager for their diligence in compiling all aspects of this project. We are also indebted to the artists in the show for sharing their work and ideas with us: Nelson Alvarez, Diogenes Ballester, Marcos Dimas, Maria Dominguez, Alejandro Epifanio, Elizam Escobar, Juan Si Gonzalez, Josue Guarionex, Frank Guiller, Ivelisse Jimenez, Juanita Lanzo, Alicia Leal, Renelio Marin, Carlos Mateu, Ibrahim Miranda, Juan Fernando Morales, Clara Morera, noba: Nestor Otero, Annex Burgos Jesus Rivera, Luis Stephenberg, Lissette Solorzano, Nitza Tufino, Juana Valdes, Rafael Velez, Raul Villarreal.
Alexis Mendoza
Artist, Writer and an Independent Curator
Co-Founder of BxArts Factory, Vice President CCO, Head Curator