Artwork presentations

1. HUMANITIES EVENT
PRESENTATION
By Karina Mercado

2. Introduction
This presentation will include an analysis and critic
of various artworks found on the online art and
culture museum. The art that is looked at will be
by two Mexican Americans artist Manuel Alverez
Bravo and Gilbert Lujan. Giving and introduction of
the artist prior to the showing of the art and the
critics. The presentation will then conclude with an
overall evaluation of the artist and their work.

3. MANUEL ALVAREZ
BRAVO

4. ABOUT THE ARTIST
Manuel Alverez Bravo was a Mexican self-taught photographer. Born in 1902
in Mexico city. He would buy is first camera in 1924. Starting his journey
into the photography world. Meeting various artist and photographers like
Tina Modotti, Diego Rievera, and Andre Breton. Further helping him be
inspired and motivated to produce photos. Soon later in 1931, he'd decide
to fully commit his life to photography. Leading him to open studios and
museums like the Museum of Mexican Photography to further encourage the
indigenous Mexican art. His photos have various forms of art concepts that
can be depicted. A lot of Bravo's photos fit into the surrealism and realism
category. However, he strived to make his work portray his Mexican culture
and authenticity was Bravo's main goal when creating his art.

5. Coatlicue
The black and white photograph titled "Coatlicue,"
By Manuel Alverez Bravo, was created in 1987.
Being taken in a wildflower field. Having a focal
point of two statues leaning on a tree. The bigger
one being gray and a smaller white one with
skeleton like details. Being placed right next to
each other to from an embrace. Creating a caring
type relationship between the two statues. This is
further proven with the grays statue's action of
holding a cup. Leading to the theory that this is a
loved one, the gray statue, caring for a deceased,
the white statue. Creating the photo to be
captured as mournful and tragic. However, there is
beauty in the piece with the wildflowers captured
in a thriving state in their cycle. Making it relate
to the Mexican tradition of Dia de los Muertos.
With the photo being able to capture both the
tragedy of death and the beauty behind it. This
photograph was a success in my opinion. With it
being quite original with its use on inanimate
objects to depict emotions. The black and white
theme also further adds to the photos concept of
life and death. Overall, the attention to detail is
needed to rally grasp and the vision Bravo was
trying to capture.

6. Retrato Ausente
This photograph title " Retrato Ausente" by Manuel Alverez
Bravo captured in 1945. Translates to absent portrait, the
photo depicts a chair with a traditional Mexican dress
draped over it. Being in a room Bravo uses the window
lighting as a form of line movement. To guide the viewers
eye towards the focal point, being the chair and a dress.
The wood floor further creates lines towards the focal
point creating further emphasis on it. It seems that the
dress is missing the person that is supposed to be
wearing it. This can be further proven with the translation
of the title. Creating a missing relationship for the viewer
to interpret the feelings of introspection or puzzlement.
This can resonate a lot with Chicanos. Being born
American but still seen as Mexican creating a loss
of identity. Many Chicano's questioned whether if they
were one or the other. This photo can represent that as it
is missing its other half, the person. This black and
white photograph was very successful in delivering its
expressive qualities towards the viewer. This is due to
Bravo's use of objects. With them being everyday object
he was able to form a deeper meaning behind them in his
photo. Being very original physically as I have not seen
something like this before.

7. Xolotl
The black and white photo titled, "Xolotl," by
Manuel Alverez Bravo was created in 1967. At first
glance we see that it is a photo taken from inside a
building to capture the dog that is outside the
owner's window. The frame of the window creates a
grid pattern that places the dog in the center of it
making it the focal point. However, throughout the
bottom of the window there are small handmade
figurines. The biggest figurine being a dog further
emphasizes the focal point of the real dog in the
foreground. There is also a relationship between
the two. As the photo captures the real dog staring
at the dog figure. Possibly representing the
relationship of one and how others see them.
People often want to make good first impressions
to be seen in a positive manner. This can be seen
in the photograph in which the dog who represents
us is looking at a different version of himself
through the small figure, being other people's
perception. The originality behind the piece makes
the piece successful. With the use of a rare dog
commonly found in Mexico. As well as to where it
was taking.

8. “Diego Rivera painting. The water deposit
of Río Lerma”
The black and white photograph titled, "Diego Rivera
painting. The water deposit of Rio Lerma," taken by
Manuel Alverez in 1951, captures famous artis Rivera
in the process of one of his art works. Taken in
Mexico the photo captures the beginning stages of
the creation of Rivera's underwater mural. The image
captures the various tools used to create the mural,
such as a ladder, table, and paintbrushes. The ladder
creates a diagonal line throughout the photo to guide
the viewer. Rivera is seen as the focal point in the
photo. Being captured in the action of painting. You
can see an artist relationship between the canvas and
the artist as he holds out the paintbrush and is
focused on his work and not the camera. Giving off
the expression of hardworking and creativity. The
photo grabs a major historical moment in the art
world. As this mural is very popular to this day.
However, in my opinion this was a failure compared
to Bravo's other pieces. In my opinion it is missing
that deeper connection. That can be captured when
watching an artist create. It is original in the sense
that this is the behind the scenes of a major art
project. However, there photos out there that are of
artist doing art.

9. GILBERT "MAGU"
LUJAN

10. ABOUT THE ARTIST
▪ .
Gilbert Lujan born in 1940 in California would become a renowned artist.
Being an artist during the Chicano movement. He would be fascinated by
the art world from a young age. However, he would serve for his
country for three years as he joined the air force. Furthering his
education, he would study at the University of California to earn a degree
is sculpting. Stating his activist lifestyle. From there he would promote his
art inspired by the Chicano culture. Being a founder if various
exhibitions and collections. Even creating a unique trademark to his name
of a dog human hybrid.

11. New York On My Mind
The artwork titled "New York On My Mind," by
Gilbert Lujan created in 1989. Using pastels to
create the focal point of a portrait of a woman.
The boldness of the colors red and blue. Distract
the viewer's eye from the city that replaces the
women's forehead. However, the lines and folds
on the women's shirt create guidelines to towards
the city. According to the title the viewer can
infer that the city depicts New York. It can be
further hypothesized that there is a relationship
between the two. With the women being a
resident or a former resident of the city. Creating
feelings of possible longing and overthinking. As
cities are often overcrowded and always busy.
With there being originality in concept and color
scheme. I believe that it was a failure. This is
due to the color pallet. Where I am personally
distracted by the boldness of colors. Making it
difficult for me to understand the artist's
meaning.

12. Trailing Los
Antepasados
The mix media artwork titled, "Trailing Los
Antepasados," by Gibert Lujan was created
in 2000. Seeing a zoomed in world on the
continent of South America. Being sectioned
off by different characters and landscapes
that have their own uniqueness. The color
pallet creates emphasis to the dessert like
terrain making it a focal point. Within this
dessert we see a road creating a guideline
between L.A. and the Aztec pyramids.
Creating a relationship between the two as
there are cars traveling with the road.
Relating it to the immigrants that crossed
the border of Mexico to make it into
America. Making the viewer feel prosperity
and hope. The originality of this artwork
makes it successful. With its unique
characters and color pallet.

13. Una Sola Union
The mural titled "Una Sola Union," by
Gibert Lujan was created in 1977. Being a
mural for the United Farm Workers it
depicts Mexican Americans protesting and
united together to make their voices heard.
The relationship between the focal point of
the father and daughter can be interpreted
as the protest being for the younger
generation. As they are the future they are
protesting for there well being. The flag
that is being waved further creates
emphasis as it guides the viewer towards
the father and daughter. The mural captures
a piece of the Chicano history as
farmworkers did protest to have better
rights. This art was successful in both
originality and emotion. When looking at
the piece one feels pride and unity towards
the Chicano community.

14. La Ella Cruising
The prismacolor artwork titled, "La Ella
Cruising," by Gibert Lujan created in 2004. The
art depicts a woman driving what seems to be
a lowrider. The car customized with bright red
and yellow flames as well as green vines. This
creates guidelines from the left to the right of
the piece. Upon closer look we see that the
dashboard is replaced with a home and
mountain landscape. Furthermore, the woman
is seen to have a relaxed state of mind while
driving. Lowriders and customized cars were
huge in the Chicano community as it was a
form of expression. So, this piece reminds me
of the community and its unique taste with
cars. Providing the viewer with a cool and
relaxed state with looking at the piece. I
personally feel that this was a
successful artwork in the sense of
representation. It captures the originality and
creativity of the Chicano community.

15. In conclusion
Overall, after studying the artwork of Manuel Alvarez Bravo and Gilbert "Magu" Lujan online
on the Google Arts & Culture website. I believe that the online versions of Bravo's
photographs were done justice. They captured the photographer's overall concept of his
culture and its authenticity. As for Lujan my experience was limited on what I was able to
grasp. With Lujan being both a 2D and 3D artist I feel that the photos of the 3D art pieces
could not capture the art in its entirety. However, this does not mean my experience was
entirely bad. Thanks to this website, I was able to see original artworks and compare and
contrast them with various other art works that were located is different museums.
Providing me with a one of the kind experience. Both of these artis are amazing! With their
art providing a for of representation of the Mexican American culture and its beauty.

16. Websites Used
https://www.icp.org/browse/archive/constituents/manuel-alvarez-bravo?all/all/all/all/0
https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/%E2%80%9Cdiego-rivera-painting-the-water-
deposit-of-r%C3%ADo-lerma%E2%80%9D-d-r-pintando-el-c%C3%A1rcamo-del-lerma-
manuel-%C3%81lvarez-bravo/hwGvm31BDgWdLw
https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/la-ella-cruising-gilbert-
%E2%80%9Cmagu%E2%80%9D-luj%C3%A1n/kQHRHjZ_UuPS9g
https://artandcakela.com/2017/09/26/aztlan-to-magulandia-the-journey-of-chicano-artist-
gilbert-magu-lujan/

17. THANK YOU FOR
READING!
Good luck to everyone on
their finals! Y'all got
this!