Published February 8, 2024
Themes of Latinx and Mexican cultural identity are explored in two art collections on display in the free gallery.
SAN ANTONIO (February 8, 2024) — The City of San Antonio’s Department of Arts and Culture invites the community to view two new exhibits at the Centro de Artes Gallery in San Antonio’s historic Market Square. A gallery free and open to the public, Centro de Artes is dedicated to telling the story of the Latin American experience in the United States. A separate but equally moving exhibition by artist Efedefroy (Froy Padilla Aragon) and co-artist team Mike Alfaro and Gerardo Guillén will be on display from February 8th to June 30th, 2024 . The opening reception will be held on Thursday, February 8, 2024.From 6pm to 9pm
“Pop culture captures the essence of everyday life and trends, and these exhibitions reach an even deeper level by also exploring diverse cultural expressions,” said Crystal Jones, executive director of the Department of Arts and Culture. Stated. “The exhibition combines playfulness and color while inviting visitors to explore new ideas and perspectives on social issues.”
On the first floor, there is an exhibition by California artists Mike Alfaro and Gerald Gillen. Loteria for Millennials: The Latin Experience It is an artistic parody of the Hispanic tradition of loteria. Artists have used outdated words such as “La Dama” becoming “La Feminist,” “El Mundo” becoming “La Student Loan,” and “El Sol” becoming “El Global Warming.” Replacing stereotypes with modern stereotypes that reflect the evolving identities and realities of Latino Millennials. ” This exhibit features over 270 of his Loteria cards, created by the artist with the purpose of providing a snapshot of contemporary Latino life.
“We have over 270 Millennial Loteria designs on display for the San Antonio community,” Alfaro said. “From our first-ever Millennial Loteria set to our latest collaborations with Disney, McDonald’s, and Warner Bros., we’re excited to share how our game has progressed since our launch in 2017. .One of my favorite experiences in the original version” The launch of Millennial Lotteria was when I visited San Antonio, where I got to play the game with so many great people. Their reaction to the game inspired me to keep dreaming bigger, so I’m extremely proud to be back for the entire show. ”
On the second floor, there is an exhibition by Efedefroy (Froy Padilla Aragón), an artist from Oaxaca, Mexico. Permanentia volantaria. Padilla’s work combines icons of 80s pop culture with figures from the golden age of Mexican cinema, creating postmodernist pop art in urban spaces. Examples of his work include the one in which Frida Kahlo is portrayed as Golightly in the film Holly. Breakfast at Tiffany’s Mark Hamill and Mexican actress Maria Felix will play Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia Star Wars. This will be the artist’s first time exhibiting his work in the United States.
“Ever since I started doing art, I always imagined its possibilities and how I could connect my work with people and their memories, uniting, connecting and inspiring people across borders,” Efedefroya said. “Now, for the first time, I am able to exhibit my work outside of Mexico, and there is no better place than the Centro de Artes in San Antonio. That vision is connected to the work and interests of Latin American artists like myself. I feel so lucky and so grateful to be among the Latin American artists who have passed through this door. ”
About Centro de Artes Gallery: Located on the grounds of the Historic Market Square in the heart of downtown San Antonio, the Centro de Artes Gallery is dedicated to telling the story of the Latin American experience with a focus on South Texas through local and regional art. This is a multi-storey exhibition space. It introduces history and culture, and features Latin artists and Latin-themed artwork. Tours are always free. Visit Sanantonio.gov/arts for more information. Follow @getcreativesa and #CentroDeArtesSA.