Yo!

The We the People Festival that was scheduled for this Saturday, November 21, has been postponed until early 2010. Check back to see where Yo! and Vyal's Piramide de la Paz and Mear One's first 3D sculpture will debut.

Yo! Peace and Spectrumega Media are co-presenting the second annual Art is a Hammer exhibit which will take place at the 2009 We the People Festival in Los Angeles. The  festival is billed as a "platform. . . to inspire the involvement and active participation of the conscious urban youth populous throughout the country." Some Art is a Hammer highlights include a mural collaboration between Yo! Peace and Vyal called Piramide de la Paz Installation: Tehuan Tlamatcanemitzl, 10 posters from the Yo! and Self Help Graphics political postrs series (see blog posting further down te site), and the debut of Mear One's first 3D sculpture. Some of the many featured artists include Man One, Spectr, Contra, punk art legends Winston Smith and Edward Colver, the Hit+Run Crew, Overton Loyd, Sharktoof, Karen "Fury" Fiorito, 2 Cents and more.

Last year's Art is a Hammer brought wheatpasting and fine art together with an exhibit of prints, live painting, collaborative wheatpasting and graff and this year's lineup will build an expand on that. 

Art is a Hammer at We the People 2008.

Mural at Art is a Hammer installation.

Wheatpaste posters.

In addition to the art show, We the People  holds an outdoor concert and speaker series. This year features performances by Suicidal Tendencies, Bad Religion, Pepper, the Glitch Mob and talks by activist criminal defense lawyer Christopher Darden and Hip Hop Summit Action Nework's Dr. Benjamin Chavis. You can see the full line-up of bands, speakers and artist here. 

Technorati Tags: Activism, Activist, Art, Exhibition, Graffiti, Music, Painting, Political, Street Art, Streetart, Urban,

East Bay artist Melanie Cervantes’ portrait of Rigoberta Menchu Tum is the seventh print in Self Help Graphics’ political print series. The six color print speaks to Melanie’s “lifelong commitment to be an artist of the people,” a role she fulfills as a member of the political art collective Taller Tupac Amaru and Dignidad Rebelde. The subject of the portrait, an indigenous rights activist from Guatemala, represents the urgency of grassroots movements for social justice. From Melanie’s  artist’s statement:

"I created a portrait of Rigoberta Menchú Tum, a Quiche-Maya from Guatemala, in order to lift up a woman who has helped call attention to the genocidal policies being carried out against indigenous people . I feel like it is important to know to be able to understand Rigoberta's story. She helped her family with farm work as a young person and attended school where she received up to an eighth grade education. She was also a major proponent of women's rights when she was only a teenager. She has been recognized for her activist organizing against violations of human rights committed by the Guatemalan army. In 1991, Menchú participated in the ongoing preparation by the United Nations of its Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which was most recently ratified. Menchu was the 1992 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate in recognition of her social justice and ethno-cultural reconciliation work based on respect for the rights of indigenous people."

Melanie's print in progress.

A burned screen.

The original digital printout.

Josue registers the color.

Color separations.

Melanie signing prints.

Melanie applying the SHG "chop mark"

Final print.

You can see more of Melanie's work on Just Seeds and at "Altars for the Sprits Offerings for the Living" the SOMArts gallery in San Francisco through November 7. 

Technorati Tags: Activism, Activist, Culture, Politics, Political, Printmaking, indigenous,

The latest in Self Help Graphics’ political print series is from activist printmaker and digital artist Jesus Barraza. Jesus is a co-founder and member of Taller Tupac Amaru, a print studio in Oakland, California that produces and distributes screen-printed political posters and fosters “resurgence in the screen-printing medium for social change.” He also works with fellow Taller Tupac Amaru artist Melanie Cervatnes on a project called Dignidad Rebelde, “a space for collaboration and artistc skill-sharing that is grounded in a Xicana worldview and fueled by their collective desire to support grassroots organizing for social justice.” Jesus brings the Xicana flare to Self Help’s political print series with “Las Flores,” a vibrant five-color portrait that reflects his mission for social justice. From his artist’s statement:
This piece is dedicated to all the people of Iran who have been protesting in the streets struggling for the self determination to decide the future of their own government and country. It is also important to put this struggle within a contemporary context where people in the global south are struggling to build a better world, one in which decisions are no longer made with only those who control capital in mind.

Final print.

Final prints on rack.

Josue and Joe in progress.

Joe rockin' it.

Josue and Joe.

Joe and his paparazzi.

Jesus mixing colors.

Jesus mixes colors.

Josue checking a screen.

Self Help's ink cabinet.

Color swatches.

Jesus with the SHG guys.

Joe.

Josue and Joe.

Next post will be about fellow Taller Tupac Amaru artist Melanie Cervantes.

Technorati Tags: Activism, Activist, Art, Politics, Political, Printmaking, Screen Printing

We recently screen printed a reproduction of a classic Barbara Kruger piece for the Center for the Study of Political Graphics. It was part of a portfolio in honor of their 20th anniversary and was presented at the CSPG yearly awards dinner held in Los Angeles on October 17th. This year's honorees were June Wayne, David Kunzle and Juan Fuentes. It was great to see these amazing people talk about their work, and an honor to print for Barbra Kruger.

Prints are available through the CSPG.

Technorati Tags: Activism, Activist, Art, Political, Poster, Art, Barbara Kruger, Center for the Study of Political Graphics, CSPG

Los Angeles artist Werc added the fifth print to Self Help Graphics political print series with “Amexican Spirito,” a subversive take on the familiar tobacco product. He brings culture jamming to his political piece with statements made to look like brands, such as “No ICE Raids” and “Ojo de Dios.” From his artist statement:

“The ‘Amexican Spirito’ print reveals the intensions of key words used in products that are consumed by people who connect with words because of the deeper meaning of their names. The word American means patriotism, revolution, capitalism and many other associations to different people. The word Spirit resonates with everyone on a universal and non-material way of being, in return creating massive revenue for the companies who intelligently use these type of words. "Amexican Spirito" takes back the subversive consuming meaning of the cigarette box American Spirit and in turn explores a celebratory portrait of sprouting creative micro-economies.”

Screens for "Amexican Spirito"

Master Printer Joe preps the screen.

Black, yellow, and "Amexican Spirito" blue.

Joe and Josue check the print.

Looks good.

Detail of ice cream truck.

More details.

Werc signing the final print.

Where's Peggy?

Next print will be by Melanie Cervantes.

Technorati Tags: Culture, Politics, Political, Poster, wercPrintmaking, Art,chicano,

Los Angeles graffiti artist Vyal is the latest collaborator in Self Help Graphics’ political print series with his piece “Invest in Revolution.” Vyal is president of the C.O.I. Crew and collaborates with the Los Angeles legends L.O.D. Crew as well as the up-and-coming V.T. Crew and France’s 90DBC. He describes his work as “dark psychedelic” and usually does large-scale pieces that can be found all over the world in galleries and on the streets. For the political print series, Vyal teamed up with Self Help’s master printer Joe Alpuche to create the colorful imagery-laden “Invest in Revolution,” an incorporation of Freemason symbols with Vyal’s unmistakable street style. Check out Vyal's side project Graffiti Saved My Life and find his Canned Goods profile for more.

Vyal says:

"I had this image in my head for almost a year , so when i was asked to do a political print by John Carr, i told him about my idea. He thought it was cool and helped me out a great deal with the technicals of the design. The design itself is in spired by the MASONIC logo of the compass and the square. Growing up in Los Angeles ive always seen variations of the L.A. logo, and noticed the similarities between the "L.A." and the Masonic logo had in common. So using the compass and the square to create the LA seemed cool design wise. I used the phrase " INVEST IN REVOLUTION " to get people to use their income wisely, to use it for change. Also the poster suggests to its viewers to "FLIP THE SCRIPT", to look behind the scenes and find out whos in charge, to see with ur eyes and hear with ur ears....."

Vyal in studio with Master Printer Joe Alpuche.

Vyal print in progress.

Joe and Josue printing.

Two colors down.

Color separation for the black plate.

Final Vyal print in all its glory.

Vyal print haracter detail.

Master Printer Joe, Vyal (with Self Help mascot Peggy), and Josue.

The next print will be by Werc Alavarez.

Technorati Tags: Art, Graffiti, Politics, Political, Poster, Street Art, Streetart, Urban, Vyal

Oakland-based poster artist Favianna Rodriguez is the third artist to release a poster as part of Yo! Peace and Self Help Graphics political print series. Her print, entititled "Another World is Possible," speaks to her commitment to education and liberation. From her favianna.com artist's statement: "Now more than ever our protest culture is being co-opted by the mainstream. Counter-culture is in style! But the requirement of study, political debate, and practice is absent. We, the artists of the people, have a responsibility to expose our truths so that we don't become maintainers of this corrupt system." Favianna's vibrant print of a boy looking over a world map highlights the role of youth in counter-culture and brings education back into the revolutionary picture.

Color swatches for Favianna's print.

Manual color separation films for Favianna's print.

Favianna and her print in progress.

Favianna, Joe, and Josue.

Josue with Favianna's print.

Left- digital print of original poster file. Right- silkscreen in progress with actual colors.

Final print- "Another World is Possible."

The next artist in the Yo!/Self Help series will be Vyal.

Technorati Tags: Activism,Activist,Art,Culture,Politics,Political,Poster,Screen Printing,Favianna

The second release in Self Help Graphics political print series is by Los Angeles artist Contra One. “Trudell” is a striking portrait of artist/singer/Native American (Sioux) activist John Trudell. In Contra's words:

“The John Trudell print is intended to embody a man who is recognized most for his words and deeds as a Native American activist. He is renowned for his passionate intellectual standpoint on today's situations and his humanitarian philosophies which he breaks down through the eyes of a human native to this land. Rather than couple his image with one of his intense quotes, this depiction is intended to relay the idea that Trudell is a man of deep thought and in the process of reaching to the intellectual depths for which he is known. I did not want to simply confine him to a particular quote, when he personifies so much more. The colors are chosen to loosely represent the flames which engulfed his family in the fire that was an indirect retaliation for his historic burning of the Amerikan flag in front of the FBI headquarters in Washington in 1979.”

Two fiery colors.

The next post will be on Favianna Rodriguez’s contribution to SHG’s political series.

Technorati Tags: Activism, Activist, Antiwar, Art, Culture, Design, Graffiti, Politics, Political, Poster, Printmaking, Protest, Screen Printing, Urban, Self Help Graphics, Chicano, John Trudell, Contra One, Yo Peace, Native American, Sioux

(This is the first of 10 posts on a series of 10 political prints currently being produced at Self Help Graphics in East LA.)

Self Help Graphics has long been a hub of creativity and artistic growth for the Latino community in Los Angeles and beyond. The community arts center was founded by Sister Karen Boccalero and a small group of Chicano artists in an East Los Angeles garage in 1970.

Self Help’s on-going legacy of using art as an agent of social change started with their first batik and silkscreen workshop that culminated in a group exhibition and prompted Sister Karen to seek funding from art enthusiasts, endowments, and the Church. After their first official workshops and exhibitions, their vision to be “the pre-eminent center for Latino art in print-making, exhibition, and training” brought them to their current location on Cesar Chavez  Ave., where  shows and workshops are still bringing young artists into the spotlight. The studio is home base for all artists, staff, and students, but Self Help also has a history of bringing the studio to the street.

One of the first models for community outreach was the Barrio Mobile Art Studio, a van equipped with art supplies that instructors took to schools and gathering places to teach people of all ages about “alternative modes of self-expression.” Even gang members were welcome to publish their newsletters and garner an appreciation for Chicano culture. In 1980, Self Help opened The Vex, an all ages venue that welcomed East L.A. musicians to play for their own community and further the mission to advance all kinds of Latino art. The Atelier Program marked the beginning of another phase for the studio that introduced serigraphy, which expanded the artists’ modes of expression and boosted Self Help’s reputation as a source for high quality, original art. Another cornerstone was the 1993 Chicano Expressions exhibit, a show of 20 artists that toured the world and created networking opportunities in South Africa, Colombia, Germany, France, and other countries. In 2008, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art exhibited “Los Angelenos/Chicano Painters of L.A.: Selections from the Cheech Marin Collection,” which featured dozens of Angeleno artists, many of whom got their start at Self Help.

In keeping with the tradition of exploring Chicano culture, many Self Help artists have incorporated political themes into their work, including contributions to the annual Dia de Los Muertos celebration and exhibitions of politically-themed posters.  Last year's political print series brought together Farmlab and Chora Prints for "New Political Posters from TJ to LA," a 22 poster collection that addressed issues of the artists' choosing from the November elections to Mexico-US relations.

This year, Self Help's Master Printer Joe Alpuche teamed up with Yo Peace's John Carr to collaborate with ten artists on another politically-themed poster series. Carr's statement on the overall atelier theme explains: "Politically astute art in the service of education, sanity and compassion is now needed more than ever in our world of manipulated minds and manufactured crisis. This print atelier is comprised of a diverse group of 10 visionary artists drawn from the 'Yo! What Happened to Peace?' artist network, whose disciplines range from drawing, painting, photography, photomontage, graffiti, digital and stencil art. Each has her/his own way of bypassing the limits of polite conversation into difficult but rewarding challenge. Following inspiration from the Self Help Graphics traditions of unity, defiance and commitment to excellence in craft, this serigraphy print atelier aims to bring the best and the boldest in graphic art to the greater community."

Artists included in this series are (tentatively in order of printing) John Carr, Contra One, Favianna Rodriguez, Vyal, Werc, Melanie Cervantes, Jesus Barraza, Karen Fiorito, Mear One, and Overton Loyd.  John Carr's print is a 4 color piece titled "Stop U.S. Aggression." It is a comment on the U.S. led conflict in Afghanistan and Pakistan and features the likeness of President Obama with a map of the aforementioned war zone superimposed. 

Color separation films for John Carr's "Stop U.S. Aggression" print.

Self Help Graphics Master Printer Joe Alpuche with assistant Josue printing John Carr's piece.

Joe doing quality control.

The finished edition.

Self Help print studio's newest mascot: Peggy!

Next post will be on the artist Contra One's print portrait of John Trudell.

Technorati Tags: Activism, Activist, Antiwar, Art, Culture, Design, Graffiti, Politics, Political, Poster, Printmaking, Protest, Screen Printing, Urban,War, Obama, Afghanistan, John Carr, Self Help Graphics, Chicano