Instruments of Change is a wholly original exhibit that shows dedication to culture and multi-medium mastery, currently showing at the Fullerton Museum Center through February 23, 2020, thanks, in part, to Thinkspace Projects. This inspirational exhibit, organized by Thinkspace features eight Latin American artists — Alvaro Naddeo, Curiot, Fefe Talavera, Fernando Chamarelli, Hilda Palafox, Paola Delfin, Saner, and Zezão in a groundbreaking show.
In just 10 days they created installations representing their heritage through street-based art that ranges from carefully crafted mosaics made of natural materials to larger than life murals incorporating indigenous aesthetics. Paying respect to their cultures, these artists blend traditional and modern themes and different forms of art to spark conversation about the fight against Latin America’s persistent societal norms and stereotypes of what street art represents.
Naddeo, Saner, and Delfin open the exhibit with murals, watercolor paintings that depict familiar urban items, including a bicycle and side-cart sculpture. The initial feeling is that of what street art is expected to be—a representation of the marginalized and repressed either incorporated into their surroundings or represented by familiar items. Such murals and sculpture would not look amiss found under a busy derelict bridge or parked outside of a small grocery mart. It is all very familiar and expected, as representations of the societal expectations and the culture side-by-side.
The unblocked open space of the gallery gives guests the opportunity to step back and appreciate the pieces as a whole but also step forward and analyze every perfect imperfection that makes each piece truly one of a kind. Palafox goes so far as to create an elegant entrance, including covering the floor in the same blue and gold designs she decorates the walls with. Guests are forced to step within her art, bursting their bubble of comfort and preconceived notions of art gallery standards. Palafox not only envelops guests in her unique style, but literally makes them walk into her culture and her world. Inspired by nature and indigenous folklore, Palafox breaks the mold of contemporary artistic boundaries by creating elaborate frames for her intricate pieces and mixing her digital media with her traditional paintings.
In a similar vein, across from Palafox’s palace is Zezão’s slice of São Paulo. An intricate mix of duct tape, black found objects and navy and turquoise spray paint surrounds guests on three sides. The confined space mimics that of the underground sewers of São Paulo, where Zezão began his artistic journey by decorating the underground spaces with his spray-painted flop-style logo. A perfect blend of bright and dark, old and new, Zezão’s work wraps up the feeling of ancient culture shining through the modern society, bringing light and inspiration to even the darkest of areas.
Instruments of Change expertly displays the genius and talent of these Latin American artists, but also the deep connection and appreciation they have for their culture and experiences. Blending modern and traditional, guests walk into the experience of embracing the aspects of the artists’ heritages in all of its forms while simultaneously challenging viewers’ preconceived ideas of what street art is supposed to be.
