Upcoming Events:
Future artists include: Andrew Brandou, Mark Mothersbaugh, and the fabulous Art Dorks collective.
Perihelion Arts (NEW Location and contact information at end of post)
Presents
Thinking About La Raza
A group exhibition of artwork exploring Latino/Chicano culture and perspectives
Curated by Carlos Batts and Antonio Vigil
Opening Reception
First Friday, Sept. 5, 2008 6 p.m.-Midnight
Show runs through September 30th
October show: ANDREW BRANDOU
Part of the Artlink First Fridays self-guided artwalk with shuttles originating at the Burton Barr Central Library
Artists: An exceptional group of artists working in different mediums have come together to present work that not only reflects, explores and defines the Chicano/Latino culture and related perspectives, but showcases the superior, respective work of each individual artist.
Curated by Carlos Batts and Antonio Vigil. Contemporary Latino artists Antonio Vigil, Greg Bojorquez, Ed Fox, April Flores, James Jimenez, Tony Mech and Chris SEEone present exceptional artwork.
About the Artists: (more images and information available upon request)
Antonio Vigil -Much of my work takes place between two societies and cultures, namely Mexican and American. Between these spaces, notions are challenged, negotiated, and combined. Identities both personal and cultural begin to evolve. Through these images, notions of history, memory, and migration are explored, on both personal and cultural levels. I use landscapes with shared political, economic and cultural histories to illustrate both the cohesion and disjuncture created by migration and cultural exchange. These paintings are both an illustration of, and metaphor for cultural travel. The landscapes depict an adaptive strategy for "moving on", however, the sudden break in the landscape concurrently represents the sometimes painful necessity of reinventing culture as one continues their migration. The intended effect of these paintings is that they create a new sense of place in a landscape containing histories of the present. These paintings contain few iconic references to anything expressly Chicano, yet explore notions at the root of that culture. These paintings both question and re-define the notion of Aztlan the mythical Aztec and therefore Chicano homeland comprising the U.S. Southwest. By collaging several locations into one continuous landscape, I am exploiting and re-affirming the myth. The new landscapes are just as real and simultaneously as mythical as the concept of Aztlan. By allowing myself the flexibility in my process to look beyond the Southwest, just as migration is not limited to any single region, I am able to expand and re-define the notion of Aztlan, in the same way that cultures and identities shift along the landscape. While this body of work began as an investigation of my own history and culture, it soon became apparent how prevalent these issues are throughout the world. With the current revolution in information technologies, and expanding neo-liberal trade policies, the rates of migration and cultural exchange will continue to grow. One reflection of this will be seen in our shifting urban and suburban landscapes. Through my artwork I hope to begin to illustrate this. In these reconfigured landscapes lie the terms for identity formation and transformation.
Gregory Bojorquez -As an LA native, Gregory Bojorquez first started photographing his friends and neighbors in everyday life which evolved into his "Eastsiders" project. Gregory contributes to many publications and he continues to work on his personal projects such as "The Car Show Girls". Gregory figures he will die in LA and until that day comes, he will seek out subject matter that he considers as unique beauty.
Ed Fox -Ed Fox is a still photographer and video director, known primarily for his foot fetish work. Born in Glendale, CA, Fox attended the Art Center College of Design, where he graduated with honors, while being criticized for his insistence on shooting nudes. He continued to meet with discouragement in his chosen field long after his graduation until editor Dian Hanson offered him a chance to shoot for Leg Show magazine in 1997. Since his debut with Leg Show, Fox's work has appeared in men's magazines such as Penthouse, Club, Barely Legal, his own website footfactory.com and his latest achievement Ed Fox: Glamour from the Ground Up which was released in February 2008 by Taschen. Fox photographs mainly high profile models from the world of XXX, including Dita Von Teese, Aria Giovanni, Tera Patrick, Teri Weigel, Jelena Jensen, Belladonna, Penny Flame, Sunny Leone, Valentina Vaughn and Casey Parker.
Chris SEEone -Artist Chris SEEONE was born LA, and has hustled his hands by painting and tattooing at the SOHK age of 16 he started "tacing" homies from hood in additional to wrecking walls all city. Now his work has evolved into exhibiting his surreal vision with the use of aerosol/acrylic/oil and mixed media.
April Flores -April Flores, a muse, model and aspiring actress who is inviting, captivating, and seduces viewers with her intoxicating beauty and fearless sexuality. April Flores was voted #8 IN Fleshbot.com Crushes of 2006. Fleshbot describes Flores essence: "In a landscape of willowy porn babes. April Flores' unabashed (and all-natural) extra-curviness is a refreshing antidote to the two-beach-balls-on-a-stick look; even her alter ego (= Fatty Delicious) lets you know that she's not your average adult performer." Her following is massive: She's been in the works of Taschen Nu Erotica, Stereotype Magazine, CLAM Magazine, EGON Magazine by Italian design Studio, Studio Kmzero, LA Bondage, Exhibits by George Pitts, Swindle Magazine, Bizarre Magazine, Jouissance Magazine, and many other glamorous publications and book. She is now documenting her life with a photography series called "The Women I Know".
James Jimenez -This is the part where I tell you why I make the art I make, but I just cannot. I know why I do the things I do, say the things I say...sometimes. It seems to me that we are becoming too accustomed to finding out every bit of information available about everything, and everyone all the time, and I am guilty of this too. I think that there is not enough mystery anymore, especially in artistic endeavors. It ruins the experience for me when I know too much about whose behind what, and it leaves me feeling like everything is just meant to be devoured, then crapped out and eventually forgotten. Information is not knowledge. I remember looking at art for the first time and having that sense of wonder as to who may have made it and why, but mostly I remember just responding to things in my own private and personal way. I do not want to be one of those people who have to hold your hand while you look at my art. If you do not get it move on, or look again until you feel like you do. You do not need to know who I am and why I do this stuff, it's really not important.... so few things are...
Tonymech -Los Angeles native, Tonymech keeps himself busy In the film industry as a Special Make Up Effects Artist. When he's not making monsters He's is creating little Robotitos who want nothing more than to Love and be Loved. You can find them in the streets or on clothing. Everything he does is limited edition including a run of shirts he designed for Hot topic.
Perihelion Arts 610 E. Roosevelt St. Unit 137 Phoenix , AZ 85004 602.462.9120 Gallery Amy Young or Douglas Grant, Directors 602.334.6299 Amy Young Cell Please contact Amy Young for any information related to the show, includinga further artist information, images, artist or gallery interviews and for all purchasing inquiries. www.perihelionarts.com www.myspace.com/perihelionartsphx Open First Fridays 6:30-Midnight Third Fridays 6-10 p.m. Every Saturday 1:30-7 p.m. and by appointment and Pravus 501 E. Roosevelt St. Phoenix, AZ 85004