By The Museum of Latin American Art began its 10th year celebrating artists and their contributions to history under the night sky on Sunday.
This year’s Murals Under the Stars started with a lecture on David Alfaro Siqueros, a muralist and political activist from Chihuahua who lived during the Mexican Revolution. Presented by former MOLAA director Gregorio Luke, the event proved to be as intriguing as the murals Siqueros painted. As the stars appeared in the sky, beautiful and powerful murals were projected alongside the length of the MOLAA.
The lecture was brought to life by the animated, passionate narration by Luke. His love and knowledge about art is present in his voice alone. Luke described details and facts about the artist and his work, climbing off the stage to physically point out certain aspects of the projected painting and inviting the crowd to walk to and fro alongside the mural to see different angles and techniques Siqueros used.
The theme of the evening was authenticity. Before the lecture began, the parking lot outside MOLAA held a pre-fiesta complete with booths of food, arts, crafts and tequila tasting. The crafts were hand made, like at the leather craft booth run by a woman, preferred to be known as Samantha, and her mother. “It’s was my grandma’s job in Guadalajara,” Samantha said. “But we try to be more modern and creative, too.”
Other booths also sold authentic figurines, clothing and beaded jewelry. The delicious aromas of carne asada, chorizo, horchata and jamaica added the finishing touches to the evening. While guests perused the booths, dancers and musicians entertained on a small stage.
While some dressed in full traditional garb and danced ballet folklorico, others – like the group from El Centro De Cultural in Santa Ana – performed Jarocho music originating from Verácruz. The group, whose final song was met by chants of “Otro!”, featured guitarras, singing and beats supplied by the stamping of dancing feet on wooden boxes.
The atmosphere was fun and celebratory of the Latin American culture, complete with oversized, Mexican puppets floating through the crowd, dancing to the music and posing for photographs.
With the pre-fiesta, followed by Luke describing Siqueros’ revolutionary life and controversial work, the night felt nothing like the average classroom lecture. The event was small, but fun, and Luke’s lecture accompanied by the projected murals made for a vibrant presentation.
blog comments powered by DisqusThe next artist in the line-up of Murals Under the Stars is Frida Kahlo on Saturday, followed by Jose Clemente Orozco on Aug. 1. Also to be presented by Luke, tickets to the lectures are $20-$30 for MOLAA members, $30-$40 for non-members and $10 for students and seniors. Pre-fiesta opens at 5 p.m. and the lecture begins at 8 p.m. See molaa.org for more details.
