INTERVIEW | Jose Antonio Madrazo

Jose Antonio Madrazo was born in Mexico City, but now calls, San Miguel de Allende, home. It is afterall where his studio, Cielito Lindo Estudio, is based. There, he produces his internationally-renowned nichos, Mexican shadowboxes, displaying Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) themes.

Each nicho carries miniature and detailed skeletons inside, representing the dead enganged in lively every-day activities. The outside is meticulously hand-painted with traditional motifs.

The nichos are made of hand-forged metal, wooden figures, ceramics, Mexican folk sayings, and Dia de los Muertos motifs elaborated in elegant hues and electric colours. The formula is to come up with a phrase and then develop it using anything from cigarette packages to recycled glass and tin, in addition to sequins, glitter and little trinkets, such as religious folk charms, beads and other manufactured and found objects. Traditionally, nichos are hung in a home to bless the house.

All the Voices Against the Silence

Antonio’s New Folk Art style and sense of humour transcend cultural boundaries and his works have been exhibited around the world before coming to Vancouver.

Recently, we posted about Antonio’s Celebrations of the Day of the Dead show at the Ferry Building Gallery in West Vancouver. Intrigued by his work, we had to know more… Antonio was kind enough to take time from his busy schedule to talk about his art and inspiration with Skewed.

What are the Day of the Dead celebrations (Nov. 1-2) like in Mexico and how did you celebrate this year?
They are full of energy and tradition. Many people make their ofrendas (altars) at home celebrating the family members that have passed away. Also, they go to the cemeteries to decorate the grave sites with flowers and candles. This year, I went to see the ofrendas made in San Miguel’s main square for famous characters from this town, and I made an ofrenda for family members.

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DAY OF THE DEAD | Last Chance

The Ferry Building Gallery in West Vancouver (1414 Argyle Av.) has treated the Vancouver community to a unique show this month by showcasing Jose Antonio Madrazo’s nichos at the Celebrations of the Day of the Dead exhibit. This weekend is the last chance to check out the exhibit, as the show is on until November 14. The gallery is open from 11am-5pm from Tuesday to Sunday.

From the traditional Mexican music, to the brightly coloured decorations, once inside you will be instantly transported to Mexico and trust us, you won’t want to leave. The red dots are abundant but if you’re lucky, you might just be able to join private collectors, such as Gary Shandling, Keith Richards, Ringo Starr and Steve Martin and get to take a little piece of Mexico home with you. Enjoy the collection this weekend and stay tuned for an interview with the artist on Monday.

EASTSIDE CULTURE CRAWL | Three Days, Three Hundred and Seventy Two Artists

November 2010 brings the 14th Eastside Culture Crawl to Vancouver’s Eastside, opening up studios and spaces for 3 days, involving 372 artists and creatives, for free to the public! Browse through the map, the buildings and the artists on their site to plan your version of the Crawl (see more details below).

The Eastside Culture Crawl is an annual 3-day November event that involves artists who live in Vancouver’s Eastside in an area bounded by Main St., 1st Ave., Victoria Drive, and the Waterfront. Painters, jewelers, sculptors, furniture makers, musicians, weavers, potters, writers, printmakers, photographers, glassblowers; from emerging artists to those of international fame.

Friday 26 November | 5pm – 10pm
Saturday 27 + Sunday 28 November | 11am – 6pm
www.eastsideculturecrawl.com

ALL DRESSED | A T-Shirt Show by the Jupiter Project

The Jupiter Project, an illustration collective formed in 2003, will be featuring designs and illustrations created by the artists and screen printed onto T-shirts, in their upcoming show, ALL DRESSED.

For their fifth group show in Vancouver, the collective will be kicking off the opening of TEES, a new T-shirt shop in Gastown.

Location: 227 Abbott Street, Vancouver
Opening Reception: Friday, November 5, 2010, from 7PM – 10PM

CREATIVEMIX | Ideation Conference

The CREATIVEMIX Conference is a one-day event taking place on November 4, which includes workshops and keynote speakers from leading creative professionals. The conference is held at the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre in Yaletown.

CREATIVEMIX is an interdisciplinary event, bringing together industry-leading idea makers who share their experiences and explore a common thread of creativity and collaboration.

For those unable to attend the conference, they are also hosting CREATIVEEX, an arts exhibition that is free to the public, taking place at the Exhibition Hall, also at the Roundhouse.

For CREATIVEMIX registration, click HERE.

(Thanks, A!)

DAY OF THE DEAD | Ferry Building Gallery

Halloween may be over, but in Mexico, the festivities are just getting started. The Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) holiday is celebrated November 1 and 2, during which altars are built and decorated by individuals to remember lost loved ones.

In Vancouver, you can be a part of the action too. The Ferry Building Gallery in West Vancouver is exhibiting Celebration of Day of the Dead.

The artist, Jose Antonio Madrazo, hails from San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and is internationally renowned for building nichos, traditional colourful shadowboxes, that house playful skeletons in various scenerios. By depicting the dead engaged in lively activities, such as kissing, dancing and drinking, the artist plays with the ideas of life and death.

Most nichos are developed around a phrase. A caption above a married skeleton couple reads “Game Over” and another says “Until Adultery Do Us Part;” satire and humour are an integral part of this exhibit.

The Ferry Building Gallery is at 1414 Argyle Avenue in West Vancouver. It is open from 11am-5pm from Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays). The Celebration of the Dead exhibit is on now until November 14, 2010.

FEATURE PROFILE | Chelsea Lawrick

Romantic Wallpaper by Chelsea Lawrick
Silkscreen on Paper/Installation
Vancouver, Canada
secret–places.blogspot.com

“I created this wallpaper as a response to a type of homophobia that is not as blatant as the sorts that are publicized in the newspapers and the like – a kind of homophobia where people barely recognize that they are homophobic.

I believe that many people can recognize the steps we are slowly taking towards a much needed social revolution, and that to be told they are working against it (to be called homophobic) is a quality that no longer possesses any respectful attributes.

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FREE ART IN YOUR POCKET | Poolga

We’ve mentioned Poolga before as a site we like. Now they’ve launched an iPod/iPhone app, reminding us just how easy they’ve been making awesome artwork accessible – especially for your electronic companions.

The free app, Poolga Collection #1, curated by Luis Mendo, features 15 artists and their work adapted for the iPhone screen. The app is fresh and dynamic, as well as simple and very easy to use, definitely one of my favorite latest downloads.