Nueva York: Un Gran Experienca (y1)

    I'm extremely fortunate in that I get to live less than ten hours away from New York City, an artistic and social center that never ceases to excite. This past weekend, my family and I visited my sister who currently works and lives her dream in the city. Here are some observations.

    At the Museum of Modern Art, I was greeted by works by artists with Hispanic roots: Picasso, Cezanne, Kahlo, Dalí, Rivera, y más. Having never visited the MoMA, to experience the museum (even in such a small amount of time) was fascinating. Sometimes, after seeing reproductions of "The Persistence of Memory" over and over again, you don't realize that it's actually closer to the size of a laptop monitor. All in all, it was a beautiful gallery filled with beautiful people speaking one thousand languages. I even was able to practice some elevator banter en español. 

    In fact, that last statement goes for all of Nueva York. There's an intense variety of people from every walk of life, and my ears rang from deciphering the German from the French, English, Spanish, etc. Coming from an isolated town not particularly known for its sweeping range of culture, I felt slightly starry eyed but also right at home.

    Another amazing benefit of cities is the availability of bilingual resources...a.k.a, books translated into Spanish. At a small bookstore in Greenwich I scored "Las ventajas de ser invisible", better known as "The Perks of Being a Wallflower", and "The Motorcycle Diaries", a compilation of the journal entries written by Che Guevara during his road trip through Sudamérica during the early 1950's that was published during the height of popular indie film (and a definite favorite of mine) "Los diarios de moticicletas".

   New York was a fabulous, dirty, overwhelming place with expensive food, expensive stores, but an amazing sense of self and pride. It's a refreshing experience for literally everyone, and gives each of us a fresh start on any social, economic, political, emotional, mental, and physical level. Disfruta Nueva York.

Y Tu Mamá También: An Adventure of Life, Love, and Fictional Beaches (x2)

     Sometimes when you're surfing Netflix, the foreign film line up, choices just get thrown into your lap. Your kamikaze decision is meant to be some brief entertainment, not some deep odyssey with metaphor and freewheeling teenagers. But I guess that's what happens with "Y Tu  Mamá Tambièn".
   This 2001 film won international acclaim, including an Academy Award nomination for best screenplay. I knew that this picture had some gravity to it, but my own experience was one of exploration. In other words, I thought the movie was excellent, but I couldn't put my finger on why.

   To give you a brief synopsis, our story takes place showcases Mexico. Two teenagers, Tenoch (with a high-ranking politician for a father) and Julio (from a middle class family in the left), cause all sorts of underage ruckus with each other, their friends they call "charolastros", and their girlfriends. When the best friends meet the older, beautiful yet married Luisa, they jokingly invite her to accompany them on a roadtrip to a fictional beach they call "la Boca del Cielo" or "Heaven's Mouth". Though she initially turns them down, after a teary phone call from her husband admitting his infidelity, Luisa joins the teenagers for the journey...which Tenoch and Julio actually have to make.
   As their journey continues, Tenoch, Julio, and Luisa share stories about their various conquests and experiences. Seductions take place, trust is broken and reforged, and a long dusty road is forged that ultimately ends at a beach ironically named "la Boca del Cielo". The action is broken by an anonymous narrator, who explains seemingly unrelated events and factoids about Tenoch, Julio, Luisa, their families, protests, the poverty and dire issues facing Mexico, and their opinions on all of these occurrences.
   While this film may seem, and is, on the surface a type of coming of age story set against a romantically authentic shot of Mexico, there is an underlying metaphor that gives this film the acclaim is deserves (among other reasons). This film is an impassioned political criticism of Mexico. Tenoch and Julio serve to embody the fighting political sides of Mexican government. They bicker, enjoy the bounty of their environment, are secretly prejudice of each other, and ultimately are blind to literally anything actually happening in their country. Luisa is Mexico, the older and more experienced woman who tries to bring peace to the two warring sides. Yet she is cheated on, disrespected, and led on a false trip. The film's ending (which I won't spoil) proves this point. While Tenoch and Julio live to adulthood and have moved on, Luisa was not so lucky. Any and all effort for her to find peace and closure in uniting Tenoch and Julio leads nowhere.
    If you're up for handling the graphic nature of this film, "Y Tu Mamá Tambièn" is a fine choice. Buen provecho.

    

El Hidalgo De La Mancha: íMural de Español Parte Uno! (x1)

     Among my interests, art is probably my biggest passion (yes, it's odd to admit this on a blog that was born out of a completely different passion; that of Hispanic culture). But it is nice when my greatest love can meet halfway with other topics I find fascinating. I've recently been able to have such an opportunity. Through much planning and discussion, I now have the amazing authorization to paint a mural in the classroom of my former Spanish teacher.
    This mural is being done in parts, with each section pertaining to some aspect of Latin American or Spanish culture, history, movies, etc.
    First off, let me just say that it's amazing to even be able to do a mural! Murals are a form of art that I've always loved dearly, being that they help beautify an otherwise bland setting. Murals can have strong socio-political messages or criticisms. Perhaps they are more positively expressive. Irregardless of meaning, murals simply make this world a more colorful place to live. In my book, that's never bad. Murals are a significant part of Latin American cities, expressing the vibrant souls of people and cities, as well as the vinegary emotions of distaste at the government and state of affairs.
    My first piece is of the famed literary character Don Quixote (also spelled Don Quijote) and his faithful squire, Sancho Panza. Cervantes' novel follows the adventures of a gentleman named Alonso Quixano who decides to revive chivalry under the name Don Quixote. This novel, told in episodic bursts, wheels about with parody and farce, nationalism, and more. It is commonly referred to as one of the greatest books in the entire Spanish canon. Not bad for a small town Spanish room mural, eh?

Movie Actress Turned First Lady Turned Cancer Victim Turned Matyr: The Musical "Evita"(w2)

      Musical Appreciation Part 2: "Evita", by the master duo Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Evita is the story of Argentine First Lady Eva Duarte Perón, commonly called Evita. Her rise from an ambitious lower class working girl, to movie star, to wife of Argentine president Juan Perón is a tale of deceit, passion, corruption, hope, and the money that kept rolling in.

yet another famous balcony scene

         As with "West Side Story", I won't give a terrible amount away, as I encourage everyone to watch the movie (as productions of "Evita" are few and far between, and the movie so readily available).
   Eva Perón was a strong willed first lady, one who drew in her public with her reputation and communicative abilities through demonstration and connections. With her husband, they became idols of Argentina, inspiring this show of change. The true irony is that the Peróns did not incur much change. In fact, their Peronist party blatantly attacked opposition. Though Evita and Juan truly did want to help the descamisados, their political actions are shown in a honest light. This and other revelations are provided by the narrator of this musical, Che. This is not Che Guevara, but a simple, honest Che. In Argentina, "che" is similar to "dude, bro, girl, chica, etc." and is used as a colloquial add-on to speech. Thus, Che symbolizes the everyman of Argentina, the one hidden within the action who sees all.

Antonio Banderas is "Che" in the film "Evita"

     "Evita" may seem like a musical with some random subject matter, but it's ability to provide a social commentary on those in power and the role of media in our societies is highly effective. Evita's story, how she was placed on a pedestal and basically worshiped, provides insight on our own views of fame and popularity. This moving drama also happens to be backed by music and lyrics from Webber and Rice, long time stunning musicians.

   Enjoy Evita, and let Eva's journey and Che's many statements sweep you along to a world not so far form our own.

 

 

Shakespeare Takes to the Streets: "West Side Story"(w1)

Tony and Maria recreate the famous" balcony scene".

    I am accursed with an appreciation for a random selection of musicals. Unsurprisingly, my two favorites are based in Latin American culture. Allow me to present, rant, and ultimately and with much bias, promote the classic musical, "West Side Story".
    "West Side Story", created by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, is essentially Romeo and Juliet. Remember how Baz Luhrmann did that hip, newfangled, modern update of the ye olde R&J? Turns out, Bernstein and Sondheim skinned that cat decades before Baz.
    Without giving entirely too much away, "West Side Story" is a story of two warring gangs (much like the Capulet's and Montague's) living in New York City's West Side during the 1950's. One gang, the Jets, is comprised of first generation Americans, whose relatively fresh foreign status is hidden only by their skin and birthplace. The second gang, the Sharks, is comprised of muchachos straight from Puerto Rico, bitter from the treatment they have received, instead of the streets paved with gold that they were promised. Their conflict is the basis for our plot.
   Romeo takes the form of Tony, a distant member of the Jets. His Juliet is Maria, tragically the sister of the leader of the Sharks. They meet, fall in love, etc. You know the drill.
    For the more literary of mind, the various plot lines and supporting characters featured in Shakespeare's classic tragedy are flawlessly incorporated. Yes, people die, lies are told, plans go awry. But how? I'll leave it up to you to actually watch West Side Story (you can find the movie at any upstanding local library, or perhaps a performance in your community theater circuit).
    While West Side Story has been performed all over, from Broadway to the West End, it's story is still profound and reaches new heights today, still creating a bridge of tolerance as prejudice against Latin Americans festers. The frustrations of the Sharks, lead by the charismatic Bernardo, against the many barriers they face in New York, is contrasted well by the enjoyment of other freedoms by the female companions of the Sharks (lead by Anita, Bernardo's girlfriend, a role in which the gorgeous Rita Moreno won the Best Supporting Actress Award in '61.)
     But let's focus on a happier note: the sheer musicality of this....musical. Sondheim is well known for his complex and genius compositions. Numbers such as the quintet "Tonight", the orchestrations from "Dance At The Gym" containing the moving mambo number, and "A Boy Like That" demonstrate the passion of such a story. As this is a musical, choreography is central. In West Side Story, our gang members don't just stage fight with panache: they dance. They dance fight. I can't stress how much I am absolutely in love with the dance fighting. DID I MENTION THE DANCE FIGHTING? Okay, on a serious note, the suave nature of all of these young men is stunning. The paradox of having violent young men dance gracefully, starting slowly until the scene builds into this highly emotional ballet, is just genius.

   Well, I believe this is enough gushing for now. It is my sincerest wish that you view this musical. I mean, it did win the 1961 Academy Award for Best Picture. If nothing else, maybe the song "Maria" will get stuck in your head.

 

  

Iconic Facial Hair + Hispanic Heritage = Surrealist? Part Dos(v2)

    As we've seen with Dalí, sometimes a little facial hair goes a long way. We know move on (well, perhaps move up?) to a woman with a pair of eyebrows that literally met halfway to hang out with one another. Welcome to the world of Frida Kahlo.

    Yet another Surrealist painter, of Mexican heritage, Kahlo lived a life of intense pain and trouble. On that perky note, here's ten things that make paint a better picture of Kahlo that just "the weird lady with the monster unibrow).

1. Pain And Pain And Pain And More Pain! - Frida Kahlo was a survivor of polio as a child, but her medical troubles did not end there. She was caught in a tragic traffic accident at the age of 18, leaving her with a shattered pelvis, rib, spine and collarbone fractures, and foot and ankle injuries. She went through more than 30 surgeries. Frida's painful past is a heavy theme in her work.

2. Throwback - With a line to indigenous Mexican heritage through her mother, Frida fully embraced her Mexican identity and native roots, which also shows up frequently in her art.

3. Selfie - Out of 143 paintings, Kahlo painted 55 self portraits. In case you're wondering...that's a lot. Frida believed that she was her best subject, being that she had spent so much time alone.

4. Comunista Por El Mundo - Frida Kahlo and her husband Diego Rivera were active Communists, becoming friends and throwing parties for the likes of Leon Trotsky, and helping the causes of the Community Party in Mexíco.

5. Like Attracts Like - Frida met her husband Diego Rivera when she was just a school girl. The two married when she was 22 and Diego, 42. While Frida focused on her strongly biographical and symbolic work, Diego became a famous Mexican muralist. Both considered each other the country's finest artist.

6. Honesty is the Best Policy...except for your birthday - Frida valued honesty to oneself above all else. The best evidence of this is in her artwork. While some may consider her work Surrealist, meaning that it paints fantasy or dream images as real, for her the emotions and imagery in the paintings were just a part of life. After all, reality and what we consider "real" is deemed so only based on our unique perspective. Fun fact: for a woman who loved honesty, she faked her birth year (from 1907 to 1910) so it coincided with the Mexican Revolution.

7. Two Way Street - Frida Kahlo was a known bisexual, whose affairs (along with Rivera's) became a significant challenge to overcome in her marriage.

8. Fashion Forward - Frida dressed as often as she could in traditional indigenous Mexican Tehuana costume. Talk about making a statement.

9. Move Over Dalí - Frida's iconic unibrow and mustached upper lip, in line with her beliefs of honesty and self expression, simply enforces a wise adage that the more of "yourself" that you are, the more comfortable and fitting your life is. People will notice this. Would Frida really be Frida without her fearless facial hair? Would Dalí, Cyndi Lauper, Skrillex, Einstein have been as widely talked about if it weren't for their stylistic hair choices? Kahlo is probably the best proof for women that actually embracing any "flaws" just sets you apart in an amazing way.

10. Postmortem Pomp - Kahlo actually was not widely known as an artist until as late as forty years after her death. Today, she is studied and revered by artists and academics alike. In 2001, she became the first Hispanic woman to be featured on a U.S. stamp. If that isn't fame, I don't know what is.

Latinos Make History at 86th Academy Awards (u2)

     Sunday, March 2nd was a historical night for minorities at the Academy Awards, specifically Latinos. And if I do say so myself, this is a victory for us all. 

          Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron won the award for Best Director with his space centered drama "Gravity." Cuaron's moving story about a scientist marooned in space (played by Sandra Bullock) was the highest grossing film to be found under the Best Directors category. This is Cuaron's first directorial nomination, although he received nominations in editing and screenwriting, including a nomination for his screenplay for the hit coming-of-age drama "Y Tu Mama Tambien"...which, if I may add, was an excellent if gritty film (perhaps a post on this en el futuro). 

   

     Our second Latin hit at the Oscars was the winner of the coveted Best Supporting Actress award, Mexican-Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o, for her role as a slave named Patsey in "12 Years A Slave", which also won Best Picture. Though Nyong'o lived in Mexico for only three years, she proudly states that she identifies as Mexican-Kenyan. She is the eighth black actress to win this award.

     There is something beautiful, I think, in embracing any and all parts of one's identity, no matter how small. Whether you are a hundred per cent one ethnicity or a large mixture, being able to represent multiple nations as an artist is just as noble as representing one's country as an athlete or politician. While as an artista, I may be a tad biased, but I believe that having artists represent your country shows something a bit more. It's an opportunity to say, "Look at this [insert type of art created here] that I have created. It would not have been possible to be who I am without my nation behind me." Yes, the same could be said of any successful person on the planet, but in the arts, perhaps it speaks to our humanistic, creative natures more deeply. 
   The Oscars, while always a star studded night, were especially victorious with the successes of minorities from various awards. Still, there is an extreme disparity between recognition of Hispanic/Latino efforts and African American efforts next to the honors given to Australian, U.S., and English efforts. Let's hope that in the future, the Academy continues to open up new doors, and the Hollywood's of the world can all be celebrated in one night. 

Salsa: More Than a Snack (u1)

     I'm serious. Salsa is more than a snack. Although the fresh tomato, onion, and cilantro mix (hopefully tossed with a hint of lime) holds a place of deliciousness in my heart, there is another salsa in my life: the dance.
    Though its roots have been linked primarily to Cuba and Puerto Rico, salsa has been expanded upon with styles taken from Afro-Samba, African dance, and can be hinted at in the cha cha cha and other dances. Though the origin of the name "salsa" has been disputed, it is a fitting name no matter what theory you choose. The word salsa in English means "sauce". In Hispanic culture, "salsa" goes beyond Tostitos (there is a world beyond the chip aisle in the supermercado, ladies and gents). Each region, city, country, etc. can have its own type of salsa that's unique. The culture of Cuba and Puerto Rico, like the other Caribbean islands and South America, is a mixture. Many variations of ethnicities and ways of life exist in these islands, with French, English, Spanish, German, and other awesome roots feeding into to the "sauce" of their life (do you understand this metaphor?).
    There are many variations on salsa (I know, I'm talking a lot about variety), but here's the basic step.

    See? Not terribly complicated. Basically you are mirroring your partner, moving one foot back, shifting your weight to the middle, and then putting the other foot forward, and so on. From here, you can make the salsa as complicado o facíl as you want. Hip shaking, arm movement, improvisations, and various moves pepper this dance. If you're wondering, "What's the specific plan I may learn in order to perfectly execute this exact dance?" then I am sorry to say that you will never really "get" salsa. It really is a sauce, a mixture. Salsa musicians, singers, and dancers alike are literally chefs, blending whatever ingredients come into their minds. It's improvisation, it's flexibility with structure, and it's moving your hips...mucho.

    I encourage anyone with some spare time (but perhaps not two left feet) to pick up salsa. Meanwhile, I'm going to keep practicing by attempting to dance by myself to a lot of Shakira.