…when you’re a stranger
It is the people we pass on the street that can affect our lives as easily as we can affect theirs. Outside of our small circle of friends and aquaitances everyone is a stranger. Any stranger can become an acquaintance, or friend, when you start a conversation about something that matters to you or stop long enough to listen to them.
…when you’re a stranger
It is the people we pass on the street that can affect our lives as easily as we can affect theirs. Outside of our small circle of friends and aquaitances everyone is a stranger. Any stranger can become an acquaintance, or friend, when you start a conversation about something that matters to you or stop long enough to listen to them.
…when you’re a stranger
It is the people we pass on the street that can affect our lives as easily as we can affect theirs. Outside of our small circle of friends and aquaitances everyone is a stranger. Any stranger can become an acquaintance, or friend, when you start a conversation about something that matters to you or stop long enough to listen to them.
…when you’re a stranger
It is the people we pass on the street that can affect our lives as easily as we can affect theirs. Outside of our small circle of friends and aquaitances everyone is a stranger. Any stranger can become an acquaintance, or friend, when you start a conversation about something that matters to you or stop long enough to listen to them.
…when you’re a stranger
It is the people we pass on the street that can affect our lives as easily as we can affect theirs. Outside of our small circle of friends and aquaitances everyone is a stranger. Any stranger can become an acquaintance, or friend, when you start a conversation about something that matters to you or stop long enough to listen to them.
…when you’re a stranger
It is the people we pass on the street that can affect our lives as easily as we can affect theirs. Outside of our small circle of friends and aquaitances everyone is a stranger. Any stranger can become an acquaintance, or friend, when you start a conversation about something that matters to you or stop long enough to listen to them.
…when you’re a stranger
It is the people we pass on the street that can affect our lives as easily as we can affect theirs. Outside of our small circle of friends and aquaitances everyone is a stranger. Any stranger can become an acquaintance, or friend, when you start a conversation about something that matters to you or stop long enough to listen to them.
Gracias Guadalajara!
El objetivo del proyecto es utilizar las imágenes como presentaciones, como las conversaciones, para hablar con la gente que está en las imágenes. – The goal of the International Artist Collaborative workshop 2010 is to use images as introductions, as conversations, to speak to the people who are in the images.
We are interested in returning the images of the street to the street. On July 18th, images from Guadalajara, and other regions of Mexico were posted on a wall fronting the Museo de Bellas Artes in the Rambla Cartaluña in downtown Guadalajara. The wall is a crossing point for the cities working class and the elite. Poetry and images Mexico were combined with silkscreens to continue the dialogue.
El Mural se encuentra en el Andador Escorza – Plaza Rambla Cataluña, Calle Escorza entre Lopez Cotilla y Av. Juarez. – The mural is located in el Andador Escorza – Plaza Rambla Cataluña, Calle Escorza entre Lopez Cotilla y Av. Juarez.
Esperamos su compañia en Agosto 1, 2010 alli mismo para festejar con musica de The Juan Perez Perez Band, Sam del Burdel y demonstraciones de Yoga Arte. Tambien habra acitividades para los niños con Ludifiesta. - Join us on August 1, 2010 to celebrate with music from The Juan Perez Perez Band, Sam del Burdel, demonstrations by Yoga Arte and art activities for the children by Ludifiestas.
Paritipantes: Isrohan Alvarez, Emilio Bañuelos, Eduardo J. Barragan, Jorge E. Barragan, Elena Carrasco, David Flores Magón, Iris Gallardo, Marshall, Jorge Rangel, Karla Tarin, Sam del Burdel, The Juan Perez Perez Band, Yoga Arte, Ludifiesta
Gracias tambien al Instituto Municipal para el Apoyo a la Juventud (IMAJ) y al Periodico Solo Ofertas por su apoyo con este poryecto.
Paritipantes: Isrohan Alvarez, Emilio Bañuelos, Eduardo J. Barragan, Jorge E. Barragan, Elena Carrasco, David Flores Magón, Iris Gallardo, Marshall, Jorge Rangel, Karla Tarin, Sam del Burdel, The Juan Perez Perez Band, Yoga Arte, Ludifiesta
Preparación para la Intervención
Gracias Jorge Rangel por el taller de serigrafía, fue un gran aprendizaje y por tu apoyo con el proyecto Vagando en Compañia de Desconocidos que viene a Guadalajara este mes! Este trabajo sera parte de la Intervención Publica en la Rambla Cartaluña de Guadalajara!
Thank you Jorge Rangel for the great silkscreening workshop and for you support with the Wandering in the Company of Strangers Project that is making its way to Guadalajara’s Rambla Cartaluña this month. All these prints will be a great addition to our Public Art Exhibit.
Paritipantes: Isrohan Alvarez, Emilio Bañuelos, Eduardo J. Barragan, Jorge E. Barragan, Elena Carrasco, David Flores Magón, Iris Gallardo, Marshall, Jorge Rangel, Karla Tarin, Sam del Burdel, The Juan Perez Perez Band, Yoga Arte, Ludifiesta
HAMBURGER EYES / FOTOVISION ANNUAL AUCTION FUNDRAISER
HAMBURGER EYES / FOTOVISION ANNUAL AUCTION FUNDRAISER
July 15th 2010 – July 25th 2010
This year Hamburger Eyes has teamed up with Fotovision to bring you epic masterpieces at amazing prices. With the success of last year’s auction, we decided to make this particular collection available worldwide.
The auction will take place on EBAY for 10 days, and people all over the planet will be able to participate and bid on photographs and paintings from Hamburger Eyes and Fotovision contributors, supporters, friends, and family.
Hamburger Eyes donations include:
David Uzzardi, Sean Jerd, Ted Pushinsky, Alexander Martinez, Oscar Mendoza, Ray Potes, David Potes, Dennis Mcgrath, Thomas Campbell, Jason Roberts Dobrin, Michael Jang, John Harding, Stefan Simikich, Josh Lazcano, Audrey Erickson, Andrew Schoultz, Hilary Pecis, Uri Korn, Catherine Ryan, Tracy Timmins, John Oliver Hodges, Jim Goldberg, Bill Burke, Emilio Banuelos, Elena Carrasco, Forrest Kelley, Mark Murrmann, Albert Reyes, Rich Jacobs, Lonnie Dean, Joe Brook, Ari Marcopoulos, Peter Sutherland, Barry Mcgee, Cali Dewitt, and more!!
Fotovision donations include:
Larry Fink, Dorothea Lange, Nick Waplington, Bill Owens, Herb Ritts, Michelle Vignes, Colin Finlay, Marcus Bleasdale , Tim Hetherington , Ami Vitale, James Whitlow Delano, Camille Seaman, Kim Stringfellow , Ian Martin, Doug Menuez, Matt Herron, George Ballis, Richard Gordon, Darcy Padilla, Michael Rauner, Chris McCaw, Ernest Lowe, Jack Picone, Antonin Kratochvil, and more!!
Fotovision donations also include signed, collectible books by:
Susan Meiselas, Sebastião Salgado, Alec Soth, Alex Webb, Ken Light, Amy Arbus, Chris Killip, Danny Lyon, and more!!
All proceeds will benefit photography by helping Hamburger Eyes continue to produce world class books and magazines, as well as operate their darkroom rental facilty, the Photo Epicenter. And the nonprofit, Fotovision, can continue to advance documentary photography and storytelling through education, dialogue, and community.
For the locals, the entire collection will be available for viewing. They will be exhibited at the Fotovision space during the length of the auction. There will be computers setup and you will be able to bid right there on the spot! And, on the last day we will have a closing reception at the space and people can make last minute bids and we can all celebrate the fundraiser.
FOTOVISION
5515 Doyle St.
Emeryville, CA 94608
Auction runs July 15th – July 25th 2010
Viewing hours Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
4pm – 7pm, or call for appointment.
Closing reception July 25th 2010, 5:30pm – 9pm
Please help us spread the word by re-posting, sending to people who might be interested, twitter, etc. Thanks in advance.
Stay tuned! Each site will have images, info on pieces, links to the auctions, a catalog PDF download, and more..
http://hamburgereyes.com
http://fotovision.org
** The above image is an 8×10 fiber based print by Bill Burke. It has drawing on the front, and it is signed and stamped on the back. If you win this photo, it comes with a small book of his!
Wandering in the Company of Strangers the Magazine!
Order the issue now!
Black Boots Ink Issue No. 1 brings you the work of 44 photographers and writers working in Guadalajara, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
You can get your copy of our first printed magazine by clicking here.
Pida su edición!
Black Boots Ink Issue No. 1 lleva el trabajo de 44 fotógrafos y escritores trabajando en Guadalajara, San Francisco y Los Ángeles.
Usted puede conseguir su copia de nuestra primera revista impresa, haga clic aquí.
Work by:
Isrohan Alvarez, Guadalajara | Emilio Bañuelos, Guadalajara | Jorge E. Barragan, Guadalajara | Dana Barsuhn, Los Angeles | Dick Beery, Shreve | Caballo, Guadalajara | Monica Cardenas, Guadalajara | Elena Carrasco, Guadalajara | Zulema Carrasco, Stockton | Kevin Cortez, San Francisco | Michael J. Costa, San Francisco | Brad Evans, San Francisco | Noemi Flores-Zepeda, Zapopan | Sergio Garibay, Guadalajara | Sebastian Gladstone, Los Angeles | Yorch Gomez, Guadalajara | Francisco Graciano, San Jose | Ana Fernanda Goribar, Guadalajara | Rory Hejtmanek, San Francisco | Susan Hobbs, Cupertino | Cass Kissam, San Francisco | Karla Louie, San Francisco | Marshall, Guadalajara | Suzanne Mir, Victoria | Carl Mogerley, San Francisco | Thomas Murphy, Brooklyn | Paco Perez Arriaga, Guadalajara | Ibarionex Perello, Altadena | Unni Raveendranathan, San Francisco | John Rickard, Weed | Carla Saunders, San Francisco | Theo Slavin, San Francisco | Amanda Smith, San Francisco | RK Stephenson, Mesa | Karla Tarin, Guadalajara | Denisse Tatemura, Guadalajara | Martin Taylor, San Francisco | Patti Taylor, San Francisco | Rosella Tibig, San Francisco | Rikki Ward, San Francisco
words by: J. Eduardo Barragan, Guadalajara | Karla Tarin, Guadalajara
magazine design by the Photologists, Nancy and Jennifer Ahn.
Wandering in the Company of Strangers
Guadalajara, San Francisco, Los Angeles
Order your copy of the magazine by clicking here
images by: WANDERING IN THE COMPANY OF STRANGERS PARTICIPANTS:
Isrohan Alvarez, Guadalajara | Emilio Bañuelos, Guadalajara | Jorge E. Barragan, Guadalajara | Dana Barsuhn, Los Angeles | Dick Beery, Shreve | Caballo, Guadalajara | Monica Cardenas, Guadalajara | Elena Carrasco, Guadalajara | Zulema Carrasco, Stockton | Kevin Cortez, San Francisco | Michael J. Costa, San Francisco | Brad Evans, San Francisco | Noemi Flores-Zepeda, Zapopan | Sergio Garibay, Guadalajara | Sebastian Gladstone, Los Angeles | Yorch Gomez, Guadalajara | Francisco Graciano, San Jose | Ana Fernanda Goribar, Guadalajara | Rory Hejtmanek, San Francisco | Susan Hobbs, Cupertino | Cass Kissam, San Francisco | Karla Louie, San Francisco | Marshall, Guadalajara | Suzanne Mir, Victoria | Carl Mogerley, San Francisco | Thomas Murphy, Brooklyn | Paco Perez Arriaga, Guadalajara | Ibarionex Perello, Altadena | Unni Raveendranathan, San Francisco | John Rickard, Weed | Carla Saunders, San Francisco | Theo Slavin, San Francisco | Amanda Smith, San Francisco | RK Stephenson, Mesa | Karla Tarin, Guadalajara | Denisse Tatemura, Guadalajara | Martin Taylor, San Francisco | Patti Taylor, San Francisco | Rosella Tibig, San Francisco | Rikki Ward, San Francisco
words by: J. Eduardo Barragan, Guadalajara | Karla Tarin, Guadalajara
Wandering at Home in Guadalajara
” I want to say thanks to Emilio Banuelos and Elena Carrasco for their strong leadership and support over these past two grueling days. From your fan and friend: Thanks” – Suzanne
Suzanne Mir joined us in Guadalajara to conclude our Wandering in the Company of Strangers project. Thank you Suzanne for all your work and insight. It was great working with you. You really pushed yourself to achieve the goals you set for yourself.
“I am still thinking about how I am going to gain the confidence of perfect strangers. How do I get them to let me take their picture and not swear at me after? Or for that matter, how do get them to not hide their faces? It has happened.”
“I am returning to San Miguel de Allende satisfied, tired, elated and more confident.” -Suzanne
Wandering in Los Angeles
We are excited to continue our Wandering in Los Angeles with such great photographers.
LOS ANGELES PARTICIPANTS:
Dana Barsuhn, Los Angeles | Kevin Cortez, San Francisco | Sebastian Gladstone, Los Angeles
Please join us on Sunday Jan. 31 at 7:00pm for the exhibition of their work. The Brewery, 616 S. Avenue 21, in Downtown Los Angeles.
Below is a google map that shows the location.
near the intersection of Main Street and Avenue 21, right off the 5 Freeway. The studio is located at the top floor of the main building.
The entry door has a diamond shape chemical sign with the letter A on it. You take 5 flights up to enter the studio. There are no elevators available.
Last Sunday Collaborative Starts Wandering…
Last Sunday Collaborative: Isrohan Alvarez | Candelario Banderas | Emilio Bañuelos | J. Eduardo Barragan | Jorge E. Barragan | Caballo | Elena Carrasco | Sergio Garibay | Yorch Gomez | Ana Fernanda Goribar | Marshall | Paco Perez Arriaga | Karla Tarin | Denisse Tatemura | Angie Zuno
What a great Sunday night!
Fifteen of us, some of us photographers others writers, gathered in Guadalajara this Sunday to start the Wandering in the Company of Strangers project. We are excited to be working with such a diverse group of photographers, each with a direct connection to the city.
Thank you all for making time to join us.
Empezamos a vagar en gran compañia. El domingo nos reunimos 15 fotografos y escritores en Guadalajara para empezar el proyecto Vagando en Compañia de Desconocidos. Que placer estar en compañia de tanto talento y de tener la oportunidad de colaborar.
Gracias a todos por acompañarnos.
Wandering in the Company of Strangers
Wandering in the Company of Stangers: The (Sub)Urban Portrait
Black Boots Ink invites you to wander with us on the first annual, traveling, project-based workshop and exhibit introducing you to your neighbor.
The (Sub)Urban Portait is the focus of the workshop series Wandering in the Company of Strangers. The emphasis of this workshop is on creating an opportunity for people to learn and practice skills that will help them document their own communities. Workshop sessions are designed for practical use with personalized working critiques centering on the work you create and instruction for photographing how people inhabit, use and exist within their communities. It’s often how life is lived, particularly in very public venues, be it a market, a church, a park.
We will discuss ways to use the camera to give voice to a community by approaching people, building relationships, and making insightful images in their natural environment. We will also discuss ethics and responsibilities, light and composition and equipment choices. The purpose of this workshop series is to help you understand the narrative, aesthetic, and emotional aspects of photography.
Each day is divided between classroom instruction, discussions, personal and group critiques and fieldwork. Participants may work in black and white or color c-41 film or digital. Enrollment is open to amateur and professional photographers.
Our vision is to make urban portraits as a means of visual introductions of people from one city to people in different cities. Our goal is to return the portraits of the public, to the public; to make art accessible in comfortable venues by combining the work from each workshop in a book, exhibitions, online, and on the streets and other places where people gather to live.
for more information email us at blackbootsink@gmail.com
Wandering in the Company of Strangers
Wandering in the Company of Strangers Workshop Series 2010
Instructors: Emilio Bañuelos and Ibarionex Perello
in collaboration with:Jennifer Ahn, Nancy Ahn, The Photologists, San Jose, CA
Ray Potes, Hamburgereyes, San Francisco, CA
Ibarionex Perello, The Candid Frame, Los Angeles, CA
Marshall, Hostal Guadalajara, Guadalajara, MXJorge Barragan, Noemi Flores-Zepeda and Sergio Garibay, La Caja Magica, Guadalajara, MX
Black Boots Ink invites you to wander with us on the first annual, traveling, project-based workshop and exhibit introducing you to your neighbor.
The (Sub)Urban Portrait is the focus of the workshop series Wandering in the Company of Strangers. The emphasis of this workshop is on creating an opportunity for people to learn and practice skills that will help them document their own communities. Workshop sessions are designed for practical use with personalized working critiques centering on the work you create and instruction for photographing how people inhabit, use and exist within their communities. It’s often how life is lived, particularly in very public venues, be it a market, a church, a park.
We will discuss ways to use the camera to give voice to a community by approaching people, building relationships, and making insightful images in their natural environment. We will also discuss ethics and responsibilities, light and composition and equipment choices. The purpose of this workshop series is to help you understand the narrative, aesthetic, and emotional aspects of photography.
Each day is divided between classroom instruction, discussions, personal and group critiques and fieldwork. Participants may work in black and white or color c-41 film or digital. Enrollment is open to amateur and professional photographers.
Our vision is to make urban portraits as a means of visual introductions of people from one city to people in different cities. Our goal is to return the portraits of the public, to the public; to make art accessible in comfortable venues by combining the work from each workshop in a book, exhibitions, online, and on the streets and other places where people gather to live.
LOCATIONS and DATES
Guadalajara, December 13, 2009
Black Boots Ink Last Sunday Collaborative
The project begins in Guadalajara, with the participation of:
Isrohan Alvarez | Emilio Bañuelos | J. Eduardo Barragan | Caballo | Elena Carrasco | Sergio Garibay |Yorch Gomez | Ana Fernanda Goribar | Marshall | Paco Perez Arriaga | Karla Tarin
San Francisco, January 22 -24, 2010
Instructors: Emilio Bañuelos and Ibarionex Perello
Special Guest Presenter: Ray Potes
Participants:
Dick Beery, Shreve | Zulema Carrasco, Stockton | Michael J. Costa, San Francisco | Brad Evans, San Francisco | Francisco Graciano, San Jose | Rory Hejtmanek, San Francisco | Susan Hobbs, Cupertino | Cass Kissam, San Francisco | Karla Louie, San Francisco | Carl Mogerley, San Francisco | Thomas Murphy, Brooklyn | John Rickard, Weed | Carla Saunders, San Francisco | Theo Slavin, San Francisco | Amanda Smith, San Francisco | RK Stephenson, Mesa | Martin Taylor, San Francisco | Patti Taylor, San Francisco | Rosella Tibig, San Francisco | Rikki Ward, San Francisco
The first California workshop will be hosted by Hamburgereyes in San Francisco. An exhibit in the Mission District will include the work from Guadalajara and San Francisco.
San Francisco enrollment closed
Instructors: Emilio Bañuelos and Ibarionex Perello
The Candid Frame will host the final California workshop. A public exhibition will include the portraits from Guadalajara, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
Instructor: Emilio Bañuelos
We will conclude the project in Februry in Guadalajara, Mexico in Hostal Guadalajara .
Any questions please contact us blackbootsink@gmail.com
Vagando en Compañia de Desconocidos Talleres 2010
Instructores: Emilio Bañuelos y Ibarionex Perello
en colaboracion:Jennifer Ahn, Nancy Ahn, The Photologists, San Jose, CA
Ray Potes, Hamburgereyes, San Francisco, CA
Ibarionex Perello, The Candid Frame, Los Angeles, CAMarshall, Hostal Guadalajara, Guadalajara, MXJorge Barragan, Noemi Flores-Zepeda and Sergio Garibay, La Caja Magica, Guadalajara, MX
Black Boots Ink te invita a pasear con nosotros en el primer informe anual viajero, un taller basado en los proyectos y exposiciónes, que te presentan a tus vecinos.
El retrato (sub)urbano es la base de la serie de talleres Vagando en Compañía de Desconocidos. El énfasis de este taller es la creación de un ambiente para que los participantes puedan aprender y practicar las tecnicas para documentar su comunidad. Las sesiones del taller están diseñadas para su utilización práctica con críticas de trabajo personalizadas, centradas en sus imágenes, con instrucción para fotografiar como vive y existe la gente en sus comunidades.
Vamos a discutir las maneras de darle voz a la gente al acercarse a ella, construir una relación, y crear retratos de las personas en su entorno natural. También se discutirá ética y responsabilidades, la luz, composición y las opciones de equipo. El propósito de esta serie de talleres es ayudarte a entender los aspectos narrativos, estéticos, y emocionales de la fotografía.
Cada día se divide entre la enseñanza en clase, trabajo de campo, críticas personales y en grupo. Los participantes pueden trabajar en película C-41 blanco y negro, color o digitales. La inscripción está abierta a todos los fotógrafos aficionados y profesionales.
Nuestra visión es hacer retratos urbanos como medio de presentaciones visuales de personas de una ciudad a personas en diferentes ciudades. Nuestra meta es devolver los retratos del público a el público, para hacer arte en lugares accesibles al combinar el trabajo de cada taller en las exposiciones, un libro, internet y en las calles, algunos lugares publicos donde las personas se reúnen para vivir.
UBICACIÓN y FECHAS
Guadalajara, 13, diciembre 2009
Domingo de Colaboración
El proyecto comienza en Guadalajara, con la participación de:
Isrohan Alvarez | Emilio Bañuelos | J. Eduardo Barragan | Caballo | Elena Carrasco | Sergio Garibay | Yorch Gomez | Ana Fernanda Goribar | Marshall | Paco Perez Arriaga | Karla Tarin
San Francisco, enero 22-24, 2010
Instructores: Emilio Bañuelos and Ibarionex Perello
Invitado Especial: RayPotes
Participantes:
Dick Beery, Shreve | Zulema Carrasco, Stockton | Michael J. Costa, San Francisco | Brad Evans, San Francisco | Rory Hejtmanek, San Francisco | Susan Hobbs, Cupertino | Cass Kissam, San Francisco | Karla Louie, San Francisco | Teresa Miranda, Mountain View | Carl Mogerley, San Francisco | Thomas Murphy, Brooklyn | John Rickard, Weed | Carla Saunders, San Francisco | Theo Slavin, San Francisco | Amanda Smith, San Francisco | RK Stephenson, Mesa | Mario Sundar, San Francisco | Martin Taylor, San Francisco | Patti Taylor, San Francisco | Rosella Tibig, San Francisco | Rikki Ward, San Francisco
El primer taller en California será conducido en Hamburgereyes en San Francisco. Una exposición pública en el Distrito de la Misión incluirá el trabajo de Guadalajara y San Francsico.
Los Angeles, enero 29 – 31, 2010
Instructores: Emilio Bañuelos and Ibarionex Perello
The Candid Frame será el anfitrión del ultimo taller en Los Angeles, California. La exposición pública incluye los retratos de Guadalajara, San Francisco y Los Ángeles.
Guadalajara, 26 – 28 febrero , 2010
Instructor: Emilio Bañuelos
Vamos a concluir el proyecto auspiciado por Hostal Guadalajara en México. La exposición final será la culminación de los trabajos de San Francisco, Los Ángeles y Guadalajara.
Una edición de las imágenes finales también se publicarán en un libro especial y por blackbootsink.com titulado, Wondering in the Company of Strangers/Vagando en Compañía de Desconocidos, con los retratos literarios escritos por Eduardo Barragán y Karla Tarin.
para mas información blackbootsink@gmail.com
Public Places
images by:
Jennifer Ahn , San Jose | Nancy Ahn, San Jose| Emilio Bañuelos, San Francisco | Elena Carrasco, San Francisco | Tim Gonzalez-Mena, Oakland | Francisco Graciano, San Jose | Kija Lucas, Oakland | Vu Nguyen, San Jose | Colt Peterson, Alamo | Victor Prieto, San Francisco | Diana Sánchez, Oakland
Keeping IT Out
Why we should do away with all public places
by Greg Benchwick
I’ve really begun to hate everything public: Public busses with their surly drivers and sticky customers, candied seats and bubble-gum rails; libraries made for lounging street lizards and hypocritical intellectual hoods; parks with their goddamned fucking trees – so tall, so arrogant – the fucking sidewalks and public spaces with their skateboarding punks and gruesomely green grass. And of course there’s always the itinerant and frightfully exuberant youth in revolt that seems to grow out there like a germ. You must have to be young (or degenerate) to spend so much time out there with IT lurking around every corner.
Mexico
images by Workshop Mexico 2007 Participants :
Isrohan Alvarez, Zapopan | Emilio Bañuelos, San Francisco | Elena Carrasco, San Francisco | Ivan Cruz, Guadalajara | Alexcia DeVásquez, San Francisco | Gustavo Espino, Zapopan | Eric Fullmer, San Francisco | Perla Gomez, Guadalajara | Lydia Gonzales, Bakersfield | Tim Gonzalez-Mena, Oakland | Kelly Koehler, San Francisco | Kija Lucas, San Francisco | Foppé Mallory, Pinole | Cristina Martinez-Canton, San Jose | Cecilia Monroy, Chiapas | Colt Peterson, Alamo | Genaro Ramírez, Zapopan | Jorge Roa, Zapopan | Jorge Romero, Guadalajara | Diana Sánchez, Oakland
The ‘REAL’ Mexico
by Lydia Gonzales
As a Mexican-American (very American), I was curious about what the real Mexico was like. Guadalajara was an introduction to a culture similar to my own upbringing and the experience of a traditional yet cutting-edge city vibe. Some residents say Guadalajara, in Jalisco, is like an adolescent that doesn’t know what it wants to be when it grows up. With a history going back nearly 500 years, Guadalajara should have surpassed adolescence by now. Yet, as growth continues, the urban seams of the city are bursting open even farther.
Litter, traffic and American corporations such as Coca-Cola, Starbucks, Burger King, Wal-Mart and 7-Eleven can be found in abundance throughout the city.Yet Guadalajara firmly preserves its historic city structures and traditions including churches, music, people and ways of life.
What many profess to love about their communities despite rampant urbanization are the generous, goodnatured and friendly attitudes of the people who reside there. From the youth of the city to the residents of the small towns that flank Guadalajara, many consider the good-will attitudes of the people to be the area’s greatest assets. People remain amigable or friendly, and the environment remains beautifully humble.
more:
Love Politics | Spaces Between Places | Public Places | Mexico | Issue No. One | Mexico 2008
