New Exhibitions at the BMFA
Opening ReceptionJuly 18 - 6-8 p.m.
David Freeman
Unstoppable Imagination of Information for Change
David Freeman plans to create a unique opening reception with an atmosphere inspired by the day-to-day activities experienced on an urban Mexican Plaza. Guests will be treated to the beverages and tasty treats sold from pushcarts by street vendors. They will be able to get a shoe shine and listen to the traditional music of roving mariachis.The Unstoppable Imagination of Information for Change theme of Freeman's exhibition allows the viewer to contrast the daily images encountered in south Texas and north Mexico with the disinformation prone media meglamania of 21st century satellite reception and towering transmitter stations aimed to manipulate our very thoughts and opinions. The artist makes a comment and you will enjoy visiting this dynamic and focused artist and discuss his theme.
Nancy MoyerThe Bicameral Face
Nancy Moyer's collection of digital portraits entitled The Bicameral Face is very intriguing and it will cause you to slowly ponder and reflect upon your own countenance. Creating Facillitator and Commander images of selected RGV citizens allows the viewer to contemplate the complex nature of personalities. You will find the digital art work conveys an illusion in unglamorous context that results in mental associations of one's self resulting in multiple self-discoveries.
UTB/TSC Photography Exhibition
P.A.W.S
Brad Doherty's photography students were assigned to engage their imagination to be inspired by man's best friend and to become creative photographing dogs. The result of this assignment is Paws: UTB/TSC Student Photography Exhibition. Over 100 black and white framed images will be displayed from July 18 through August 26. Many of the images delightfully engage the viewer with familiar canine expressions while other cause reflection upon man's inhumanity.
Brownsville Museum of Fine Art
In the heart of the Mitte Cultural District
660 E. Ringgold St. · Brownsville, TX 78520 ·
(956) 542-0941
Partners for Success 2009City of BrownsvilleHumanities TexasBrownsville Independent School DistrictThe Raul Tijerina Jr. FoundationThe Strake FoundationMexican Consulate of BrownsvilleMexican Ministry of Foreign AffairsMuseum Underwriters 2009Joette & Hans van DoesburgInternational Bank of CommerceEddie KnebelDrs. Elena & Carlos MarinRio BankElaine & Charles WilletteMuseum Sponsors 2009Maribel & George FarishWells Fargo
About the Brownsville Museum of Fine ArtThe Brownsville Museum of Fine Art strives to contribute to the art education and cultural enrichment of the community, exhibit works of art, arrange for and offer educational programs for children and adults, and encourage and develop the appreciation and advancement of art throughout the community.
8 comments:
I, as an elavorate, presice, and intellectual- distinguised border personality. I hope that David Freeman's Exhibition does not portrays The " Typical HOLLYWOOD - style" interpretation and subculture- mentallity Cliche, of the Northern - Mexico Pictoresque towns; with dusty roads, dirty Mex-kiddos, Wild- running hens, and old rusty Yonkers!...
Mexico has more than 5,000 yrs. old root- culture( specially Mezo america) Along with Egypt and China; They are the oldest civilizations and stablished cultures in this world.
Instead of Nacho Libre I believe it was more like "Winter Texan Libre" or "Gringo Libre" Mr. Zavaletta was right on in the assumption of the cliche of an outsiders view of the Mexican people and their beliefs...it was offensive in a subliminal way even if he doesn't admit to it....There is no new or simpathetic approach to the culture. Even though I am not a Catholic it seemed like he was saying these people are ignorant..dude people believe in what they believe in... it seemed he was making a mockery of and not a heartfelt understanding and appropriation of the catholic imagery and the people who believe in that for example in the appearance of religious images in everyday objects.That is the main problem the United States has its view of other countries and religions in that the US believes that we are better than you let me enlighten you to your misfortune of 3rd worldness...very dissapointing...I did like the abstract work they seem more true to what he is trying to do to make something that is beautiful...
I loved Nancy Moyer's work...beatiful work I liked the subtle changes of the portraits..
Brad Doherty is and has been doing a great job with his students. I have enjoyed the work his students have created.
I agree with the comments. I found it highly offensive and a very outsider view of our culture. shoeshines? I mean all they lacked was a woman named "Maria" in a traditional costume saying "Hola!" to everyone as they walked into the museum. Note to BMFA and David Freeman: its not cute and those religious images are actually meaningful to people, not something to be thrown together in an "art installation" just because you wish to make some pseudo-intellectual statement about "border culture." People make their living selling tacos and giving shoeshines--its not something for an art museum to make a mockery of or study "the primitive" people that give shoeshines or have catholic imagery in their homes. All that was lacking was putting people behind glass cages to be "studied" and "admired" by the outsiders who can play "being Mexican for a day!" Our culture and our beliefs, are dignified and not something to be made a mockery of by someone and a museum who seriously lack an understanding of the community.
Freeman is an outsider. I was really impressed with another outsider artist at the Mexican Revolucion show at 409. Much of the work had typical Revolution imagery, some utilized better than others, but his work really didn't have much "Revolution" imagery. He explained that as an outsider and a white man, he felt he needed to be very careful about appropriating Mexican/Mexican-American imagery because he felt it was exploitive and could be misconstrued. This artist consciously understands what Freeman has not yet guessed at. Malicious? I don't think so. Clueless? Yes.
On Freeman's Exhibit; the image of Our Lady Of Maria De Guadalupe in almost everything; on black smoke, on the hospital's utensils, Food, Etc...
The Luchadores'masks also can be interpred it as a battle for Freedom for the Mexican - Americans. I wonder Why not George Castorena was ever invited to participate in This "WANNA Be -Chicano" Exhibit along with Celeste De Luna??
Or What Was The True meaning of tnis " Let Me Brain wash their brains Again, By another Angry - White Hyppie"
We all Know that the Whitesville Museum of Fine Art , only catters to Anglo - Americans. As a Non -profit Organization, Which is paid by our hard - earned taxes, It should be openned to cattering in solo exhibits to the rest of the Minorities!!!
As always; We Mexicans - Americans, again are just left with our arms crossed and wondering about our "artistic and sub-cultural" misfortunes...
Do You were wondering about this exhibit? Was it a Big_ Silly Circus or just another "-IN YOUR FACE- M... F..." Learn from US Your Other Conquerors!!!...
In my opinion I thought this exhibit seemed it was poorly curated as poorly planned. I thought the bmfa press release(see post)about "unique opening reception" confused the idea of the exhibit- losing credibility for the overal message of the show - for there was nothing unique about the reception to our location, I'll give you the wrestling match- but that should have been or hold a place as part of the exhibit to be more viable.
At first sight I thought the bamboo structures looked good but seemed they were poorly put together. I thought they reflected a poor understanding of the use..but I would like to hear more about how you and your help, how you put these in particular together and how much planning went into it.
I don't think people build structures such as these for the rustic look, but perhaps for lack of funding. They carry the same engineering principles to creat structures and or homes that are safe, to survive and live or to try to compete with modern society. But they are well made and some may stand for hundreds of years..
The religious icons - saints installation really questions the viewer, I think the home practice as part of the culture is not only local or of Mexico, that plays part all over the U.S. as all over the world.. To me they don't seem like outsider art, the religion is world wide and is a practice of alot of races and ethnic backgrounds.. if perhaps that is what you beleive also..I thought they were more like praying alters to perhaps show a part of your life where you had been sick and had an experience or a realization, perhaps found new meaning in religion or in life, so I see them more as an abstract self-portrait installations..I did see some pictures on these installations where perhaps you were hospitolized, and what seemed as personal items, which make the alters yours.. and not just random alters of picures of random people.. then it would have been a more questionable installation in many ways..
Those new flashy saint lamps - well those are probably made in Japan or Korea, but I think they have a copyright and they are artistic in there own sense.. It seems you are trying to take credit for someones else creation..for they are not found objects but something you purchased..its a questionable thought I am still thinking about this one..
I will say I like the abstract work in the right side of the atrium which you have been most known for..
I thought the show lacked a curator and more time to put togehter..
gt
Celeste de Luna had a show "BORDERLINE" earlier this year at the Narcizo Martinez Cultural Event Center and at her artist reception she celebrated with live conjunto music, served beer, guacamole and chips.. quezo blanco, salsa...y pastel... that was a great reception that celebrated the opennning of the art exhibit..Done very well it did not lose focus off the art...
Not Only Did the Anglo colonialists along with the Catholic Church made a deal to stole half of the Nortern territory from Mexico. Now with this Exhibit; They are stealing our very own culture and turning it into a third - class Subculture. most of them said and think that Mexican - American Women aren't attractive, that They have mustaches, and That They are only good to do house work.
I wonder what will be next? The Anglo - Americans know that We Chicanos are powerless and political, social and economically impotent against Them, So They know how to use their power and turned All of Us against our very Own Culture and own people!
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