By: Debby and Larry Kline, Instructors at Design Institute of San Diego
We are honored to be the first non-Latinos to have a solo exhibition at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino arts in San Francisco. Curator, Maurizzio Hector Pineda, discussed with us that he wanted to take the gallery to a new level and that our work fit in well with his vision of exhibiting edgy, contemporary art. He mentioned that the Center’s building is very much alive and we quickly learned the truth of that statement. As we were installing The Age of Enlightenment, a work that reflects the comingling of religious myths and dogmas, powerful drumming began from above. While the Center was simply experiencing one of their weekly Danza Azteca classes, we imagined costumed participants in a ritualistic dance moving between the columns and the sarcophagus. It was perfect and somehow completed the experience.
We were interviewed by a couple of Spanish language radio stations. One asked the expected question, “Why were we exhibiting in a Latino setting”. We responded that part of the focus of our work is social justice and that these issues transcend individual cultures. The host readily agreed. During the second interview, the host occasionally forgot to translate for us but we ultimately figured out what she was asking so the show continued quite successfully. Our intern, Oscar Cespedes, traveled with us and photographed events as they unfolded. The exhibition is dedicated to Oscar’s brother, Placido, who was also our intern. Placido Cespedes was tragically killed in a drive by shooting a year ago.
We were excited that Zack Wilkie (past DI student) attended the opening and the after-opening party. Zack volunteered in our studio and assisted us in the Tijuana installation of The Candy Store. Another studio volunteer and recent graduate from DI, Jen Sagar, graciously modeled for two of the works, Tobacco Papers and Smokin’ Columbia, reminiscent of a cigar store Indian-style sculpture.
The Candy Store uses trinkets and stylized pharmaceuticals to deliver a critique of the medical insurance industry and its hold over access to affordable health care. Other works from the show include, The Game at Hand, The WarAin’t over Till the Paperwork’s Done, Toxic Cocktails, Passages, The Magic Wand for Lost Causes and BE NICE. Descriptions for these works can be seen on our newly launched website, www.jugglingklines.com/wp/.
We love San Francisco and the warm reception she always gives to our work. The exhibition is on view until July23rd.
A short video clip of the exhibition was posted by Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts at the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdU-3Gv6NdI
