May 27, 2021
From the artist:
“In 2019, I created an exhibition titled ‘The Uncolonized: A Vision in the Parallel,” it is a visualization of a parallel world where the Western Hemisphere averted colonization and the indigenous people of the lands thrived unobstructed. The work is a celebration of our indigenous heritage, specifically focusing on my Meso-American heritage.
Growing up Mexican-American along the border in El Paso, I have always taken pride in my Mexican heritage but it wasn’t until I was older that I realized there was a large part missing. My family could track their Spanish lineage easily and did so proudly. But when I would ask about our other half, it was met with generalizations or confusion. I have spoken with other friends who are also Latino and found many similarities. Knowledge of Spanish descent but the indigenous side was vague. This led me to research not only where I came from but the civilizations as well.
What I learned was that I not only came from a culturally rich heritage but a highly intelligent technological one as well. From the vulcanization of rubber from the Olmec to the astronomy and mathematics of the Maya to the Architectural wonders of the Mexica. There was a lot to learn and be proud of from our people and none of it was taught in schools. This work is made to inspire others to research our rich heritage.
The Uncolonized is a utopian world of rich wonders, where all of the indigenous people united to form a super power in the world. A world of Aztechnonauts exploring the heavens, Mayathmaticians unlocking the secrets of the universe through theoretical equations, Olmchemists creating new polymers and alloys to move the world forward and Zapotecknical engineers building the architecture of the future. It is a vision, not of what could have been, but through multiverse theory is currently happening in another universe. A celebration of who we are.
As the artist fellow for The Looking for America project, I have created an installation/performance in collaboration with UTEP Dance, that is a new extension of the 2019 Uncolonized exhibition (which is currently on exhibit at the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum in Mesa, AZ until August 8th). This new installation continues its mission to instill a curiosity into the untaught histories of our Meso-American heritage through the science fiction motif of the Uncolonized universe. With the goal to nurture the dignity in one’s ethnic heritage, creating thought, generating conversation and discussion to forge a strong sense of honor in who we are as a people.
Teoquiyaoatl (sacred portal) is the title of the work and represents the portal in which the explorers of the Uncolonized will breach the universal membrane and cross over into our universe and greet the people of our world through dance.
The piece encourages interaction and is part of a performance with the portal in a collaboration with UTEP Dance Department. The Dancers will be dressed as Characters from the parallel universe (Chris Delgado (Olmechemist), Melissa Melpignano (Zapoteknikal Engineer), Jennifer Morales (Mayathmatician), Jensen Springer (Aztechnonaut)) and will dance to a musical score written by Henry Van, who also wrote the music for the first Uncolonized exhibition. Think MesoAmerican Techno Cumbia. The dancers will not only dance to the music but be ambassadors of the Uncolonized, entering out universe and interacting with the viewers, drawing them into the dance. Celebrating the shared heritage of the two universes.
The one-day event will be at the UGLC/Centennial Museum’s shared plaza on May 27th at 7pm. Sculpture and costumes by Angel Cabrales, choreography by Melissa Melpignano, music by Henry Van.”
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