"Mexico: Fantastic Identity" with 20th Century Masterpieces at MOLAA

I roamed down to Long Beach today to visit the Museum of Latin American Art.  The museum has two powerful exhibits that I recommend.  The first is called "Transformations" about 5 persons who have had life-changing experiences who share them in video and statements at the exhibit.  They then selected art from MOLAA's permanent collection to represent their feelings before and after their transformations.  These are moving and inspiring.

The other exhibit "features paintings, photographs and mixed media works by artist who lived and worked in Mexico just prior to, during and after the Mexican Revolution.  It explores the ways that Mexican identity changed during this important period and how artists documented those changes through their work."

The Mexican Revolution, civil war, began in 1910 and continued for 10 years.  The new Mexican leadership wanted everyone to know that things were going to change and they wanted everyone to be proud to be Mexican.  They hired artists, writers and teachers to spread knowledge about important historical events.  Books were published and murals were painted in public buildings to make Mexican's proud.  This "Mexican School" created portraits of people participating in every day life.  This was the most popular style of art from 1920's to the 1970's.  The government paid for this and it was seen as a tool for nationalism.

Some artists strayed from the government endorsed style and works became more creative during the end of this period.

Here is some of what I appreciated:

"The Flutist," 1952 by Gabriel Fernandez Ledesma, Mexico, 1900-1983, Pyroxylin on masonite.   During his career Ledesman directed "Forma" a pioneering magazine abut fine arts in Mexico, created a school for sculpture and carving.

"Women," 1943 by Cordelia Ureta, Mexico, 1908-1995, oil on canvas.  "Her work attempts to convey her humanistic and philosophical ideas through an expressive use of color."

"Diego Rivera painting a mural," 1940 photo by Peter Stackpole, U.S., 1913-1997.  The photograph caputres Diego Rivera working on a large mural commissioned by San Francisco's Junior College depicting Pan-American unity.

"September, 1917," by Angel Zarraga, Mexico, 1886-1946.  Zarraga traveled through out Europe and lived in France for 30 years.  This painting reflects his Cubism style popular in France.

"Rufino Tamayo," 1930 photo by Manuel Alvarez Bravo, Mexico, 1902-2002

"Carlos Orozco Romero, n.d., photo by Tina Modotti, Italy, 1896-1942

"The Oblatos Ravine," 1947 by Carlos Orozco Romero, Mexico, 1898-1984.  Orozco Romero is know for his dreamlike landscapes. 

"New York from the Terrace," 1937 by Rufino Tamayo, Mexico, 1899-1991.  The artist is observing the urban landscape, perhaps with his wife, Olga, looking over the terrace.  Tomayo was highly influenced by the work of Pablo Picasso, George Braque and Henri Matisse.  He incorporated their ideas into his own style rooted in Mexico's ancient cultures. 

"Portrait of Gabriel Fernandez Ledesma," 1921 by Roberto Montenegro, Mexico, 1885-1968.  Montenegro studied art in Europe and experimented with Surrealism and Symbolism.  This painting reveals his interest in Art Nouveau and Mexican crafts. 

"The White Shawl," 1943 by Manuel Rodriguez Lozano, Mexico, 1896-1971.  Lozano also studied in Europe for several years.  "His works often contain elements of poetry and melancholy."  

"The Speared, From the Teules series," 1947 by Jose Clemente Orozco, Mexico, 1883-1949, pyroxylin on masonite.
"Orozco's powerful expressionism often distorted forms, reflecting his disappointment in the failure of the Mexican Revolution.  This painting reflects Orozco's depiction of another turbulent time, the Spanish Conquest." 

"Indian Wedding," 1931 by Alfredo Ramos Martinez, Mexico, 1871-1946, oil on masonite. Martinez moved from Mexico to Los Angeles in 1929 where he painted romanticized depictions of Mexico.

"Spain's Great (The Blue Angel or The Knight)", 1914 by Diego Rivera, Mexico, 1886-1957, oil on canvas.  Rivera studied in Europe and lived in Paris until 1921 when he returned to Mexico after the revolution. 

"Sleeping Woman (The Spring)," 1947 by David Alfaro Siqueiros, Mexico, 1896-1974, Pyroxylin on masonite.

"My Dress Hangs There," 1933-38 by Frida Kahlo, Mexico, 1907-1954, oil and collage on masonite.
"Frida Kahlo began painting "My Dress Hangs There" in 1933 while living in New York with Diego Rivera who was working on the Rockefeller Center mural commission.  The painting was finished in 1938, after their return to Mexico.  The description states that the painting/collage shows a chaotic Depression-era image of modern U. S. industrial society.

"Tlacuilo II," 1979 by Gunther Gerzso, Mexico, 1915-2000, acrylic on canvas.  This work shows the artist's interest in abstraction, architecture and geometry.  

"The Young Women," 1987 by Rodolfo Morales, Mexico, 1925-2001, oil on canvas.  " Rodolfo Morales's work often represents natives, especially women, set amongst rural buildings, churches, town squares and arcaded shops.

"Red Cape," n.d. by Guillermo Meza Alvarez, Mexico, 1917-1997, oil on masonite.  The artist explored Expressionism, Dadaism and Surrealism.  

"Frida Kahlo in Manuel Alvarez Bravo's Studio," 1930, photo by Manuel Alvarez Bravo

"Rodelfo Morales," n.d., photo by Juan Rodrigo Llaguno, Mexico, b. 1964.  The photographer works in Monterrey, Mexico.

"The Myths," 1944 by Juan O'Gorman, Mexican, 1905-1982.
The artist was a muralist and architect.  "In 'The Myths' which refer to religion and technology that would promise a better life, O'Gorman uses intense colors and distorted objects.  Hell is represented at the bottom of the painting, with monsters, devils and sinners.  Then, Adam and Eve are next to a tree and a snake.

"Self Portrait," 1957 by Jose Luis Cuevas, Mexico, b. 1934, oil and ink on canvas.
Cuevas is a member of the "Ruptura" movement and doesn't hesitate to shock throug pieces filled with distorted creatures .

"Fatherhood," 1987 by Eduardo Kingman, Equador, 1913-1998, oil on canvas.
This was one of the paintings selected by a man featured in the "Transformations" exhibit which represents his new life.