Museum Essay #2

African Head, 1988

The Hit, 1995

  Dear Rodriguez Calero,

I think your work of art is very interesting and unique. The combination of materials you used were so unique it become a new form of style. The use of collages, prints and photographs create the mixed media, acrollage. Why did you decide to mix these? Do they represent anything to you? Was it to invoke the same emotion your pieces of art do? Because i feel if so, the combination of both the medium and the subject can make the viewer feel confusion, curiosity, or make them become deep in thought trying to figure out your point of view or what it may mean to them. How was the process to create these pieces and did it take many attempts to get the pieces of paper to the shape you wanted and needed? Because the way the paper is cut and arranged on top of another piece seems very precise. For example, “The hit” piece seems to be arranged in a specific way that shows the woman’s face in the magazine cut out, as well as the “African Head” which seems to show a face on the patterned paper. Was this on purpose to show creativity? What were your ideas and motivations? What were you trying to convey and explain to the public? I can see that your inspiration came from religious beliefs, and societal beliefs. Was this made to unite the two biggest things that seem to be governing our society? Was it to show how these things are capable of controlling people’s emotions and actions? I believe it shows great depth and outlook on what makes people in society run. I think you may have created these to show what people see and believe is good or right based on what they’ve been shown. I think you are trying to show the connection of an ‘african’ person to the wild, because of the leopard print and that this is what people may see when referring to african people,or maybe to just Africa. Also, i think “The Hit” shows what people consider to be a hit or something worthy of being on a magazine cover,such as the woman. What i wonder about your intentions is about the way you cut up the head shapes. Do you purposely create the cut outs with puckering lips or is this the way you believe the head looks like? I am very intrigued to know.And I hope you are well.

Sincerely,Katia

Museum Essay #2 - Calero at El Museo

Dear Ms. Rodriguez Calero,

As soon as I saw "El grito negro", I was stricken. This mixed media collage piece created the perfect segue into your "Urban Martyrs and Latter Day Santos" exhibit as it, as I found out, is reminiscent of your earlier work yet very similar to the more recent pieces. After seeing that piece, I was excited to further explore your other work displayed at El Museo del Barrio. Your approach to abstract art is inspired. Suffice to say, I quickly became a fan of yours after that introduction.

After seeing that initial piece, I fell in love with piece after piece. However, one in particular really interested me because of its historical significance. In the amazing Young Lords exhibit also at El Museo, I saw a clip of Pedro Pietri performing his epic, profound literary work: "Puerto Rico Obituary." I've always known of Pietri as a major NYC icon and one if the founding writers of the Nuyorican movement but I, shamefully, never fully looked into his work. The fact that you chose Pietri as a subject proves he had a great impact on you, that he served as an inspiration and that you view him highly. When were you first affected and touched by his words? Was this an homage to the man or created in response to a specific work of his? Do you view him as a martyr, a saint or both?

The title "El Reverendo Pedro Pietri" elevates him to a man that spreads the "gospel" of his truths. You show how much he was and is respected. Yet, the piece also seems to shine light on his comedic and out going temperament/disposition. Referencing his suitcase of poems upon which he wrote "Coffins for Rent" was clever. In doing so you brought attention to his deep yet humorous ways. He was both a man of powerful reverence and also a man with a sense of humor. You portrayed that quite well. From this work, I get a glimpse into your overall perspective of such an iconic, influential man.

 The acrollage technique you created, named and utilized is very innovative.  Layering glazes of luminous colors with different types of paper gives varying experiences depending on the angle from which you view your work. Why did you decide to become a mixed media, collage artist? Was it the process of re-inagining and re-creating that appealed to you? If you didn't choose collage or "acrollage", what other techniques or mediums would you use? The absence of negative space provides innumerable things to perceive. The texture produced with the pattern of paper applique gives the art work striking elegance. What you have succeeded in creating with the techniques, mediums and materials you've chosen is beautiful and impressive. I definitely look forward to seeing more of your unique artwork in the future.

Thank you for sharing your talent, vision and adoration of the late great Pedro Pietri.

With Admiration,
Khalilah Coombs

Essay #2

Dear Rodriguez,

      Last Wednesday from our Art and society class I visited "El Museo del Barrio museum". I got a chance to see your incredible works of arts in the museum. I like yours all work of arts and  it is very unique. One particular work of arts that I like the most was "Cruz de Loisaida". It grabbed my attention  due to colors, technique and the message it gives.

At first, when I look at your work of arts  I did not get the theme of acrollage then after I read the content, it blew me away. Therefore, I have some question to learn more about your acrollage. I see a person with the long neck with a silver color on the cross. His/ her body has an abstract rectangular shape and S/he is injecting a drug. The red splatters of paint remind me of blood. In the middle of the canvas, I see a logo or a stamp which I'm not sure about it and it made me wonder what is that mean and what is that represented in this work of arts? In my opinion  your idea of keeping the identity unclear which refers crucifixion could happen to anyone. And the question is why did you depict the person with drugs? This work of art relates to the religion. On the other hand, it was showing the image of hand injecting a drug. Thus, it made me curious to know what was the reason behind putting together drug and crucified sign? Does it represent something else? Because nowadays  people believe more in science than the God.  The title of your work of arts is "Cruz de Loisaida" which means "Cross of Loisaida" and Loisaida is the term for the lower East side of New York, a mainly Puerto Rican and Dominican area. A drug is the most dangerous thing in the world, kills human and it is the worst thing to do in life. Regarding your opinion, why did you choose the title "Cruz de Loisaida" aren't people around the world also suffering from the drug addiction and aren't they also in a drug war?

It was honored to see your solo work of art exhibition and they are really amazing and have a unique style. I like the way you convey the positive messages to the people about the drug. At last, I apologize for any miss interpret or personal questions.Thank you for the time.

                                                                                                                           sincerely
                                                                                                                         Lakpa Tamang

El Museo del Barrio Essay

Dear Rodriguez Calero,
I recently visited El Museo del Barrio, with my art class and was captivated by all of the art pieces in your exhibition. Classmate of mine told me that some of your art was modern art. All of which I felt were relatable but going back toward the entrance of your exhibition, I saw this painting (pictured above), Preternatural, 2008. What exactly does the title, Preternatural mean? One thing that threw me for a loop was the label; under the title of the work it read “Acrollage on canvas”.  What is that exactly? Is it art and collage? The art piece itself was something I have never seen. It is very unique and like the rest of your pieces modern. The piece features both cool colors and warm. The eyes are very modern and I say the nose is cut from renaissance art, the mouth and torso has been painted differently to throw people off. What made you decide to this? Are the eyes and the rest of the body from the same reference just from different times? I find the painting even more interesting as write this letter to you. There is also overlapping present in the painting, there is a layer of an article present that you painted beneath the painting. I noticed when I looked closer at the head (the lightest part within the peacock feathers). Why did you place peacock feathers around the person? Does it have to do with the title Preternatural? The lower body I find interesting, because it has a very different texture from the torso. It is like the texture disappears but the pattern is still present. I noticed a quote of yours that was placed on the wall of your exhibition that could be missed if visitors are only focused on what meets the eye on ground level.  Your quote read as follows, “My questioning or reinterpretation of bible stories define the influence of Catholicism, in my work. I take traditions from the past and present a more modern, symbolic image, which is approachable and identifiable for a new generation”. This sums up what I saw in your amazing paintings. But why does the bible have such an influence on your work? Your work has definitely a modern vibe that for me is different because when it comes to art history, it’s always about the past (1400- late 1800). You don’t really get to learn about today’s art.
Your fan,        
Anthony Gomez

El Museo de Barrio

   Dear Presente! The Young Lords Group,

          Viewing your exhibition in El Museo De Barrio was truly an emotional experience. From the handmade posters, videos, programs, and marches that you have made has touched me. What had touched me the most was the three photos of Puerto Rican Women describing their struggles within the society in which they had to live in. Even though you have just used photographs to display these three women it had told a story individually. Each woman was posed beautifully and oh so naturally. Reading on the side of these photographs of how Puerto Rican women had to make a living was awfully depressing. No woman should be just a traditional house wife, prostitute, and many more restricting life jobs. Do you think telling these women’s stories in El Barrio will serve a change in today’s society? Do you think only specifically Hispanic women in this time served such harsh duties?

          The medium that you have used is very classic in which I truly appreciate, photography. Despite the fact it was a simple portrait of these women gazing away, or directly into the camera had shown a very intense visual upon the women. Were these natural poses? Or were the “models” themselves posing for the camera to send a message? Furthermore the audio box with the translation of the women speaking, why was it necessary for there to be an audio effect? Was the intent to make the scenery more dramatic? For the motivational aspect I believe the crowds of people walking through the street could have been great inspiration for you to find a specific cause and or emphasize a cause itself. To justify these women in all not only shows that women matter, but to show major importance of the Hispanic community tiring of such objectification. From what I understand that you are communicating to the public is that, not just other colored, or racial people have been opposed to such prejudice social class. These women, not these three women specifically but all Hispanic Puerto Rican women, and all colored women  deserve equal rights, and job rights for that matter. I believe that your intent is to show the public even in the late 1960’s and going in to the 1970’s that women were still repressed. Showing the world today how your world was then can shock everyone, because it was not so long ago that the ordeal of the Young Lords, racial rights, and women’s rights were apparent. I thank you deeply for showing this to the world today because it speaks for freedom for all women today.

Dear Rodriguez Calero,

Last week, I visited El Museo del Barrio and all I can say, is wow. Your art work is so different than the typical stuff you expect to see in museums. It's like the canvas' called to me, begging for my attention. They really pulled me in.

There are five questions that I have for you. First, in general, how did you decide to use the mediums that you chose? The use of paint and photographs on one canvas. that was so smart. It's like the paint is trying to cover what we don't want to see, while the eyes of the people in the photograph are still protruding. Much like "Christ of the Christians"(photo inserted on the top right). It's amazing how you captured so much emotion in just the eyes of this young man.

Second, how did you decide that you wanted to involve social justice in your artwork? Every piece of work, in my opinion, had to either do with injustice in the church system, or segregation of race and class in society.

When I walked into the gallery space, I was automatically drawn to one particular acrollage. "Renegade of God"(inserted on the left). I stood staring at this piece trying to decide why i liked it so much. When I read the caption, I understood why; "This painting is the antithesis of most of the works in this exhibition. It is an image of darkness, or breaking away from the spiritual, or reneging God. Its massive grey forms advances and explodes towards the viewer, evoking both terror and emptiness." At first glance, it seems weird, abstractly created. But when you sit in front of it for a little longer, you begin to see what you didn't before.  Just like the label says. You see a woman trying to disconnect herself from something she has no belief in. Her mind is distorted in make the decision to spilt. She is in all white which makes her seem sort of pure and innocent. At the same time the colors surrounding her make it seem like she is rebelling the expectations placed on her.

Question three, walking through El Museo, there were quotes of yours written on the walls. One quote in particular caught my attention. "I am defined by but not limited to being a Nuyorican, and I embrace all that is an extension of my heritage and beliefs. I gather inner strengths from the never-ending struggles that we deal with as people and as individuals." Do you feel that it is more important to stay true to your heritage and your beliefs or is it more important to search for what you need and want as an individual?

Question four, as a child were you forced to belief in the idea Catholicism thus being the reason why you made these pieces?

And finally question five,  in your piece "En el nombre de la madre" (inserted bottom right), were you trying to allude to the fact that a lot of people do bad things for the sake of their religion?


All in all, I would say that I was extremely impressed by your dedication and talent that was put into this exhibition.


Sincerly,
Stephanie.

P.S. I am now a huge fan.

El Museo Essay #2

Dear Rodriguez Calero,

I recently visited El Museo Del Barrio and was profound of your work from the way you expressed your belief and culture into your composition. Taking a stroll around the museum and witnessing your exhibits I noticed the use of your work incorporating bold statements. From the use of color and distorted figures it has the viewer to pause and understand or relate what you're trying to communicate. These exhibits are something I haven't come across from museums I've encountered, your work, its unique and the way you express them relating to today's society. A display that caught my attention is a collage by Rodriguez Calero titled Picture of Inner Clarity (1997). The canvas includes the monochromatic use of red and shades, with geometric shapes, and a boy in the center with blood on his face with a circular frame around him. I questioned myself "Why would she title this canvas but the appearance is represented in a opposing way?" Although others might interpret this acrollage differently my idea on this is the frame surrounding the boy covered in blood is a window or a portal. Seeking more details from the work of art, what are the engravings around the child? Coming back to the boy, the blood I believe to be is restraint as well pain. A time someone goes through at a certain point in their life resulting to being complicated to find clarity. I have a few questions I'd like to ask you. Is the acrollage something your hinting to the observer of what you personally feel or what we all sense? What influenced you to portray this particular work in a dark way?  Why not make it noticeably obvious or simple? What is the purpose of the geometric shapes surrounding the boy? Is it a way of being suffocated or does it symbolize our issues being overwhelmed and the child is us when it was uncomplicated. What is the child in the acrollage suppose to represent? Is there one specific interpretation or does it depend on an aesthetic emotion from the observer? Overall, I found this exhibit interesting as well you didn't make it seem overly religious. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Joanna Castelan  

El Barrio

Dear Shellyne Rodriguez,

 During my visit in Museo De Barrio, I had found your sculpture “Calling the spirit of the garbage offensive”. It was truly an outstanding piece. The composition of the broom stick, chain with a hanging azabache fist charm, is extremely powerful. The concept of the hanging hand with the chain not only was representational of human labor. The endurance of the people in what they had to deal with as a whole community was frustrated not just physically but emotionally. I feel that this piece was not meant to have a light emotion brought with it. The “calling the spirit of the garbage offensive” is very heavy in personal temperament and that is what I appreciate. What had struck me the most is the mouth of the broom is interpreting the bristles of the broom.  I question, why not as well use pieces of garbage to make the statement clearer to the viewer? Did you feel that when you were creating this sculpture that it was blunt enough? As well as why did you use the interpretation of human teethe for cleaning the streets? Was it that the people, in their grit and hard work was to be portrayed as the broom itself? Speaking for the materials itself, when making the mouth of the lower broom stick, did you use ceramics? A dense material, or simply paper mache?  In all, how difficult or easy did you find this art work to be created? Was the process itself simple compared to other works that you have created?

I can see your motivation upon this art piece. Reading of the Young Lords in El Barrio, I found it very striking and brave of the individuals whom wanted to step up for themselves and their community. Mimicking the black panthers, instead of it being gang affiliated it was an activist movement. In East Harlem the whole neighborhood within El Barrio had went to the sanitation department, but the sanitation department themselves had not made no effort to clean. So the locals and the Young Lords had barged into the department, stole their cleaning equipment and started cleaning their own streets. To show their own frustration they swept every spec of dirt into the middle of the road and had set it on fire. This act had represented their rage and dis-pleasant with the sanitation department. The hard work that the community in El barrio had I can see was the teethe of the black broom, along with the chained hand in a fist.  I am in awe and shock of your intent, message and construction of this art piece. Like none other have I seen before in a museum. Your communication to the modern world today was very clear to me. Your intent for sure was to tell people today how Hispanic communities had lived in a poverty state, and that they had enough of mistreatment and neglect of their current home. The grit and hard work was purely emphasized in your work. This art piece was for those who in this time and activist movement had fought for their rights. 

Young Lords

Dear the whole group of

¡PRESENTE! The Young Lords in New York, 

                    I am writing to all of you because I can not pick just one of you, this exhibit was a team work between all and together it tells a wonderful story. Sadly I wasn't allowed to take pictures of the wonderful pictures you all displayed. Though I had a few questions about the exhibit, How did you all gather all of the personal stories about what happened in 1968? Where any of you connected to the families or residents of the neighborhood who lived through this time? 

The medium of the artworks that i saw varied between photography (which is my favorite coming from my own photography background) and newspaper misshaped onto a wall that all dated back to when this all happened. And there was a broom stick that I couldn't quite find which one did this but the broomstick had teeth instead of brushes at its end. I love how the raw emotion from the residents, they were all captured in there natural states. 

I can tell that the motivation and the reasoning was that you all wanted 1968 to be remembered for the struggle of the communities piled garbage that the sanitation department didn't come to pick up. The neighborhood was forgotten till they made a statement with the help of the young lords by dumping the garbage into the middle of the street and burned it all. They took action instead of waiting for the city to finally do something. Spanish Harlem was a dump but the people who lived it it wanted to make it a better place. Thank you for your time.

           Sincerely 

Karilis Cruz

El Museo Del Barrio

       Dear Jose Camacho, I went to El Museo Del Barrio and was drawn to your piece done in 2013, "The obvious truth of an idea, measured by the displeasure it causes me." What a mouthful that title is. What made you call your artwork this long title? I have tried to interpret the title the best I can and the   assumption I make is that obviously this is a cardboard box, but where it comes from and what    has occurred to the box itself, and to you, causes      you discomfort. However, I am not positive, so I would love to know your perspective.

      I've noticed that this cardboard box is not only opened up to be flat, but it is also damaged by water probably. This box might have been pretty old when you chose to use it as art. It is clearly torn in a few areas, dirty, and stained by water or maybe oil. What was this box used for? I could imagine it could be for clothing or household items when someone had to move. Maybe it was used for something less  practical than what I am used to seeing a box used    for. Why is it so damaged though? Were people on  the streets with these boxes? Homeless maybe?

      These were all the thoughts that came to mind when I first observed this artwork. Then I realized, there is something written all the way to the left of this cardboard. Upside down (turned right-side up by myself in this letter), I read the word "ARTEFACTOS," a spanish word that means artifacts. The dictionary meaning for this word is "an object made by a human being, typically an item of cultural or historical interest." So what was actually in this box?, I asked myself again. Maybe those who moved here kept what was most important to them inside this box and it moved around within generations, households, or museums. Others never usually stop to think how hard it must be to get old artifacts from different cultures into one place. Maybe the damage on this box shows the struggle to get all the artifacts to where they belong. If there were artifacts in this box though, where are they now? Or are they gone? Is that why you get "displeasure" from this "obvious truth" ?
                                                                           
                                                                                       Sincerely, Karyn Zarzuela
   

Essay "El Museo"

Dear, Rodriguez Calero

Last week my peers and I, visited "El Museo Del Barrio,"I was delighted by your works of art, also, I was very intrigued by the tittles, technique and medium you have chosen. 

The "Divine Prophet" (Profeta Divino), 2012 was definitely my favorite, since I saw it on the wall because there is something very unique, different and refreshing about this painting, that captured my attention; I'd like to admit that I've never seen anything like it.

In the museum, I've read that your innovated not only technically, but also the depth of your vision has been termed as, "ACROLLAGE." but why? Clearly, I'd like to have the honor to share some thoughts and questions I have about your masterpieces. What lead you to have this innovated style? Did you create your own style? Who's your inspiration? What is the meaning behind these works of art? What is the message behind the religious tittles you have chosen? Are they related to your ethnicity or culture? Are you mixing the best of both worlds in one painting? Is Acrollage a mixed of painting and collages? Why did you decide to add printed eyes to most of your works of art? Your work is simply magnificent and I may never be able to fit all my questions in just one letter. 

At the museum I made this experiment, where I covered the printed eyes of the artwork I chose, immediately, the significance and meaning totally change into my eyes. In addition, I notice the vibrant colors, different styles and mediums you applied in your Acrollages on Canvas; In my opinion you are combining the past and present by mixing different cultures and time being. The uniqueness and rareness of your work adds freshness to the actual mediums we can admire and appreciated at the different museums. 

Humildemente quiero decirle que su trabajo es algo inigualable y de otro nivel, su vision es perfecta y encaja totalmente en el mundo actual. (Humbly, I’d like to tell you that your work is something unique and different, your vision is perfect and it fits completely in the world today). Many thanks for your time.

Sincerely,

Nina Love.

El Museo Essay

Dear Rodriguez Calero,
I recently visited El Museo de Barrio and was fascinated by one of your works of art entitled "Dancers" (1982). I read that you have titled the unique medium of your art as "Acrollage" and I had some questions about how you created your own style. I notice that you use a combination of paint and collage in your artwork, how did you decide on this combination? Was there one medium over the other that you preferred first? And if so, when did you decide to incorporate the two together to create your Acrollage's? I also noticed that on this particular work you used printed paper as your canvas. Is there a reason why you used a page from a book or magazine to paint and collage on? Does the use of this canvas have any significance in your art or were you simply using the materials available to you at the time?
I also have some questions about your creative process. When creating your acrollage's, do you start with the painting or with the cut outs for you collage? Do you see the images in your mind before you begin or is your creative process more free form, deciding what you do as you go along?
I was also wondering what the motivation behind this particular artwork was? I notice that you have combined several styles of art from different time periods to create this piece. Both the man and woman appear very well dressed but the woman's face is a collage in the style of ancient Greek sculpture and the mans face is painted in much more of an abstract style, reminiscent of Picasso. What was the significance of using these two very different styles in this particular work of art? Where you trying to signify the different roles of men and women in society or did you simply choose these different styles because you found them aesthetically pleasing?
When I first observed this work of art I noticed the dichotomy between the majestic and beautiful forms of the dancers and the somewhat disturbing and terrifying depictions of their faces. What exactly was your intent when you created this artwork? Is this artwork a commentary on upper class society? Upon first glance I felt that you were trying to stress a point about the ugliness and gilded falsehood of the upper class, dressed beautifully but ugly on the inside. Was this your intention when you created this artwork? Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Charles Tye Miller

Museum Essay #2

Sunday, November 1st, 2015

Dear Glendalys Medina,

Hello, this is one of your fans. My name is Neil Diestro. Recently, I have took a trip to the El Museo Del Barrio on the upper east side of Manhattan and encountered one of your interesting artworks. I saw your shoe boxes. Also, known as “Boombox #2.” This was no doubt the most interesting piece of art I have seen in El Museo. One of the reasons is because of the various materials that was made to assemble the boombox. From the label, the materials that was used was sneaker boxes, hinges, plexiglass, laces, and pipes. Not even pencil, pastel, or even watercolor was used to create this. Honestly, that was a good call on your part. My personal favorite material that you used was the laces. It is also the material that I do not totally understand. Was the laces that was wrapped around the front part of the selective shoe boxes a creative symbol to show what the speakers of the boombox would look like? Or was it there just for your selected style? It must’ve been a very interesting yet, tedious process in creating the Boombox #2. One thing that I’ve noticed is that four out of the nine shoe boxes is the Puma brand. Is that because that is one of your favorite sneaker brands? Or is it supposed to symbolize what could possibly be popular brand back in your hometown Ponce, Puerto Rico? There are the major brands in the sneaker box too like Nike and Converse. But I also noticed that Adidas was not in the sneakerbox. Possibly no reason? Just irony? Just because there are only about three different brands in the plexiglass does not downgrade the creativity of the artwork at all. It is probably your selective preference and the brands may symbolize something about your own personality. One day I would like to find out. Not only is this piece of art creative, but I really enjoy the different cultures it can represent. Especially since the classic Nike box incorporated in the boombox, the urban community all around New York City can connect and even appreciate that since the majority of us owns at least a pair of that brand. The urban community can also connect to the Converse boxes too since it is a classic basketball sneaker and also since basketball is a huge part of the community around here. Not only do I feel like you are communicating towards New York City urban terrains, but also your fellow countrymen back home. Ms. Medina, I feel this maybe a long shot, but due to the shoeboxes and the boombox, this artwork probably symbolizes how you grew up or how a lot of the youth grows up in Puerto Rico. Using what they have. The limited pairs of sneakers, and using the eighties style boombox, to listen to music and have a great time. There are many different points of views that I can see through my lenses with this artwork, but hopefully I get to encounter your intentions and direct creativity towards Boombox #2.

Your fan,

Neil Diestro

El Museo Del Barrio Essay

Dear Edgar Ruiz Zapata,

I saw your artwork at the El Museo Del Barrio called the “Carro De Piragua” and I think it is very unique. The “Carro De Piragua” is very different from the other parts at the museum and that is why I enjoyed looking at it so much. The materials were very creative with using a baby carriage wheels and how the shape is overall. The bottles were all neatly placed and you can see all the different flavors in the bottles. This work of art is interesting and I have some questions for you about the “Carrp De Piragua”. Was this a childhood memory that inspired you to make this snow cone cart? Everyone has their favorite memory as a child and was waiting for the snow cone cart to come your favorite memory. You can see the “Carro De Piragua” is meant for selling to kids because of how cheap the price was. Even though 10 cents may be different from what 10 cents is today, but it looks like it was more for children. All these flavors of the cart and there is so many to choose from, but what was your favor flavor? If you had more than one favorite flavor which one would it be? Since there are so many flavors to choose from did you ever mix two or more flavors together? I’m sure the snow cones were very good but did you ever get sick of them. After all it was just shaved ice and corn syrup with some food coloring. This snow cone cart would be at the same place same time on a hot day, did you and all your friends go together and enjoy the snow cones together? If this or isn’t your childhood memory, what inspired you to make the “Carro De Piragua”? Everyone has to have some type of inspiration to make their art and what was your inspiration? Is the “Carro De Piragua” a way of showing the new generation how the snow cone carts looked back in the day? It seems like you wanted to show us that this was one of the great things about living in a Spanish neighborhood. The “Carro De Piragua” is a nice replica of the snow cone carts back in 1970. You put a lot of detail in your favorite memory and I’m sure that you enjoyed those moments you had a snow cone very much. Was that one of the biggest inspiration for making this work of art?  

Museum Essay #2

                                        

Dear Rodriguez Calero
  
I would like to start with thank you for creating this cut n' mix group exhibit. I loved all of the pieces that were created, I couldn't choose one, so I decided to write you this letter about this entire exhibit and ask you a couple of questions. When I analyzed the exhibit I saw that you used a lot of shapes that were geometric and organic. There were a lot of cut out images of people body parts, but there were a lot of overlapping these images to create an illusion of depth.Colors line warm and cool color were being used on the images, I guess to give it a feel to the artwork. There were also patterns being used for the shapes and some what of the colors. How were the materials used? Was there a certain way the materials were used? If so why? Why did you used these materials? Did you use magazines? What type of magazines? Did you used the same images you cut out twice?. I think you made your work from cutting out different images from different magazines to try and get different body parts from different people,so you were able to mix and match. I also believe you used Crayons, Chalk, Water colors, and Pencils. I notice you images on the canvas when you pasted the images you wanted, so you was able to create a different person from the person you cut out from the magazine. For example the "Street Moves" image was a cut out image of Nas famous rapper from Hip Hop. The image was so mix I could tell if it was Nas because he looked like another person because there were different images overlapping him. Why did you mix people faces up? Did you not want them to know who that person is?. I thought it was a good idea to mix the cut out because it give people more time to stand there and figure out who the cut out image is. Did you use a lot of famous people in this Cut n' Mix exhibit. When I looked through your exhibit I noticed a lot of famous people I could point out just but looking at their mouth and eyes. I believe you where trying to communicate with people who watch t.v, listen to music, watch dancers, love fashion, and art, because you had a little bit of everything everyone liked or love. What is the main idea of this exhibit? Does it has a purpose? What is it? 

Thank You,