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The Body Art Exhibit | The Photos and Overview of the Event
It is the evening of Saturday, April 11th and the streets of Downtown Pomona are crowded with people. As they saunter from gallery to gallery stopping to enjoy the last bit of sunlight, they seem to gravitate to South Thomas Street between 3rd and 4th. The edges of the street are line up with custom candy-painted and muraled low-riders of the Royal Image Car Club. Across the street a row of chromed and shining custom Harley-Davidson bikes reflect the care and style of Cholo Rider Customs. Outside of Galeria Rustica the large crowd already excited by the display of moveable art accumulates and buzzes with anticipation.
As the gallery doors open for a reception to begin, the space is quickly filled with bald headed, tattooed, and pierced patrons side by side with families, young folks, and artists observing, absorbing, and enjoying the culture and history that starts just inside the door. The cars and bikes displayed outside create a scenic backdrop to the music that starts from the concert happening outside the gallery; this is far from your typical gallery scene. Tonight, the Galeria Rustica, an acquainted cultural boutique, is holding The Body Art Exhibit.
This event orients guests between cultures as they artistically move between expectation and observation and between the familiar and the new. They are introduced to the deep meaning of body art that extends beyond the stereotypes and trends of tattooing and tattoo conventions. Just as the tattoo art reflects a sense of loyalty, community, and solidarity among the Chicanos that wear it, this exhibition provides a unique opportunity by brining members of the community together to mingle across cultural divides. The talented tattoo artists from across Southern California mingle with those who stop to appreciate the fine detail of their art work. All featured tattoo artist played a significant role to making this event such a success. They all made a notable contribution in their own way as they come together in front of a blank canvas to collaboratively turn out a new work of art that marked the event.
Rocio Mendozas
Beyond the visual art, musical performances throughout the evening added to the feeling of excitement. Kicked off by the talented Rocio Mendozas, music filled the night as she entertained the crowd up-close and personal as she sang her ear pleasing renditions of ballads and boleros. This was followed by the deep, meaningful and powerful poetic words of Xaris. Several Latin Hip Hop artists such as Breezewood La Connecta and Krazy Race came next and brought even more people to the street. During a break in the music, Elliot Rothman, the Mayor of Pomona, honored the event with an introduction and welcome for the assembled crowd. Rothman then introduced a local reggae band, Fountain of Roots, which he articulated as a perfect emphasis of the event�s theme of crossing cultural boundaries - It was nice to see a high ranking city official encouraging the event, rather than trying to shut it down. The event and concert concluded with a particularly poetic and appropriate moment; Maticulous performing his theme song "All tatted up."
XARIS
Breezewood La Connecta
Markie Boy and MVP de KRAZY RACE
Although BrownTown Looters aka Pueblo Caf� were scheduled to perform, they never fail to make a special supporting appearance.
Saul Maldonado aka Stubborn, Xaris and Salvador Rojas de BrownPride.com
Overall, the event was a great success as Stubborn4Life Apparel, BrownPride.com and Galeria Rustica accomplished what they sought to do. It can not go without mention all the hard work put into making this event a reality, Saul Maldonado, known simply as Stubborn to most, was the planner, coordinator and master of ceremonies for The Body Art Exhibit. Aside from running this clothing company and promoting numerous political and social causes, he made time in his busy schedule to plan this community-oriented event. During a time of such economic uncertainty that threatens to pull communities apart, it is encouraging to see people from across cultures attending events that are really striving to up lift our connections rather than destroy them. With all the mainstream attention tattoo art and artists have been receiving lately, it's a shame that no one until now has used this popularity to benefit all of us by sharing the culture of the Chicano community. I give all my respect and appreciation to everyone involved, participant and patron and passerby that made this event a success and look forward to seeing what this group of creative minds have to offer our people in the future.
Written by Karli Nevarez | Photography by Sal Rojas Photography
I'll be adding a lot more of my photographs to the
BrownPride.com's PHOTOPOST EVENTS SECTION --> Sal Rojas
Stubborn Por Vida by Sal Rojas Photography
Vans Drawing by Johnny Bones | Photo by Sal Rojas Photography
OH Whata Night =) | Photo by Sal Rojas Photography
Events Coming Soon::
Stubborn 4 Life Car Wash/BBQ Saturday May 9th in the City of Whittier.
Click Here for More Info
| S4L on myspace
Photographer Salvador Rojas and Graffiti Artist C.L.ONE are putting together a Graffiti / Photography Exhibit / Lounge on Domingo Siete (Siete de Junio de 2009 | The 7th of June of 2009) more info coming soon... PHOTOGRAPHY | ARTE | MUSIC | FASHION | ETC. | The Basement at 201 W. TRUSLOW STREET, FULLERTON CA 92832
I'm also having a Photography Exhibit of my photos from Oaxaca / Guerrero, Mexico on September 5th, 2009 in Downtown Santa Ana, CA for their monthly Art Walk. Then I'm moving the Mexico Exhibit to San Jose, CA on October 3rd, 2009. More information coming soon...
Sal Rojas Photography | September 5th, 2009
CALACAS INC
324 W. 4th Street No.B
Santa Ana, Ca 92701
(at 4th and Birch in the West End Theater)
tel:714.662.2002 | www.calacasinc.com
Sal Rojas Photography | October 3rd, 2009
SILICON VALLEY DEBUG GALLERY
701 Lenzen Ave
San Jose, CA 95126
SAL ROJAS PHOTOGRAPHY on MySpace
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