A wild mustang with a headless rider galloping through a place called “Elephant Hill”; a skeleton taquero standing alone, selling tacos sin carne—the Cartoon Art Museum’s current exhibition takes visitors on a wild, visual ride through the minds of Latino comic artists.
“La Raza Comica: A Celebration of the Latino American Experience in the Comic Arts,” features original work by 10 different artists, who explore what it’s like growing up Latino in the United States through clever, humorous and often political and sarcastic art.
The exhibit consists of over 40 pieces that clearly display the personality of each artist.
Many characters explore the interaction between childhood dreams and reality, like illustrations of the “Zootador,” a zoot suiter, decked out in his Sunday best—with a luchador mask added for good measure—or the group of mermaids hanging out on the ocean floor.
Each artist’s work explores a particular theme, such as Jose Cabrera’s collection called “Los Elementos,” which examines the four classical elements: earth, fire, water and air.
Male figures camouflage within each element, where the idea of unity between man and nature can be further explored.
Graciela Rodriguez’s collection explores mystery, death and playfulness with characters like the beheaded man who rides a wild horse to an unknown land, and the dead bride in “Til’ Death Do Us Part,” who awaits a fiancé she has never met, while bold letters to her right proclaim, “I am not crazy … and I am not dead…”
Most of the artwork utilizes satire and comedy—as one might expect from a comic—but the simplicity of each frame also made its own personal statement.
In “Contract for Life,” a comic by Javier Hernandez, there are no love spells, hidden treasures or contract killers–the contract is to bring someone back to life, not kill them.
“The purpose for the ‘Contract for Life’ story was to introduce this ‘reverse-hitman,’ The Wake,” Hernandez said. “A man who is hired, contracted, to bring a zombie back to life.”
The word “BLAM” explodes from a gun in one scene, while the last words of the story read, “You have your son back.”
“He reunites people—families with deceased loved ones,” Hernandez said. “He’s basically pulling people out of what I would consider ‘limbo,’ and bringing them back to earth—perhaps for a second chance at life, or other mysterious purposes.”
Every now and then the stories within the characters might be linked to real life experiences, a family secret passed on through generations or simple traditions kept alive and retold again and again.
The fascinating world of comic book characters can take on all names, shapes and sizes, and Hernandez encourages young comic artists to boldly publish and promote their own work.
“I’m a diehard proponent of DIY art,” he said. “Create your own original work, be bold and fearless and unconventional, but make sure you get it in front of an audience, on your terms.”
“La Raza Comica…” will be on display at the Cartoon Art Museum until Sept. 30.
Hi C.K.,It’s me again! You totally made my 4:54 a.m.! Thank you. I was out walinkg the dog, and then I needed to send an e-mail, and of course check in on the stats for my nascent ThoughtCast program, and wow. Hits coming from the sky, thanks to you! I do want to assure you that there will be more interviews to listen to than just the one with Ilan Stavans, although it’s been lonely for quite some time now. I am in the middle of editing an interview on Virgil’s least well-known poem, The Georgics, which was just translated by the poet David Ferry, as well as an interview with the complicated and craggy Samuel Huntington. I do not wish to let you down, now that you’ve spoken well of my show in indelible ink!Thank you again,JennyP.S. I’m still looking for some volunteer readers. In about a month, I’ll be interviewing the Oxford philosopher Simon Blackburn. It would be fun to read his books, I would think! Just a thought . Perhaps your followers might be interested?Onward!J.