Jesús Manuel Mena Garza Selfies

Jesús Manuel Mena Garza

Color and Black and White selfies (in the mirror)
December 17, 2015 5PM

Click to enlarge

I flipped the photo below ... horizonally. Sepia toned it too.

Copyright 2014 Jesús Manuel Mena Garza. All rights reserved.

The Chicano Dream Ends?

You still have several weeks left to view several of Jesús Manuel Mena Garza's black and white documentary photographs on exhibit in Bordeaux, France. They are all part of the Chicano Dream show.

June 27 to October 26, 2014

Musée d'Aquitaine

20 Cours Pasteur

33000 in Bordeaux, France

If you happen to go ... tell me what you think. Thanks.

Ten Photographs: Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzáles, San José, California, 1974

In 1974, Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzáles came to an arts opening at El Centro Cultural de la Gente in San José, California. This was an fantastic opportunity to meet the seminal Chicano poet and organizer. Many couldn't wait to discuss the issues of the day. The fiery leader from Denver, Colorado was definitely ready for debates. 

Here are ten photographs from that dynamic day. I scanned the original 35mm negatives to create these digital files. I haven't edited them (yet) in Photoshop to remove dust and scratch marks. These historic images are more than 40 years old. The original files are significantly larger.

Click photos to enlarge.

Copyright 2014 Jesús Manuel Mena Garza. All rights reserved.

Photo of Cesar Estrada Chavez Gets Ripped Off Again

I hate it when people rip me off. My photograph has been repurposed by many designers and photographers. Of course I never get a bit of cash or even a 6 point photo credit. 

I guess I can sue them, but what if they only made $50? I wonder if he sold the "art" to the San Jose union for their poster at the bottom of the page?

Here is a link to the dudes price list:

http://fineartamerica.com/pdfartworkmenu.php?artworkid=1758398

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/cesar-chavez-jeff-nichol.html

My original photograph

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Backyard Clothesline, 1971, San Jose, California

Click photo to enlarge

Copyright 2014 Jesús Manuel Mena Garza. All rights reserved.

DSLR Camera and Lens Combo Mambo

I am in the process of deciding what new DSLR and lens combo to buy. There are so many choices out there. What do you recommend for street, landscape and travel photography? What camera and lens combo  makes sense to you?

Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino call on congress to join bipartisan effort to pass Smithsonian American Latino Museum Act

FRIENDS update community and national leaders during 35th Annual CHCI Policy Conference

Last Wednesday, the Friends of the American Latino Museum (FRIENDS), a 501(c)(3) created to push forward the American Latino Museum initiative, hosted its annual reception in conjunction with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s (CHCI) 2012 Public Policy Conference. With sponsorship from CHCI, FRIENDS gathered Board members, Congressional leaders, administration officials, policy makers, and museum supporters to discuss the museum’s legislative progress and FRIENDS community engagement efforts.

Legislation to designate a location for the museum on the National Mall, the Smithsonian American Latino Museum Act, is still pending in Congress, yet grassroots support has remained strong and continues to build steadily. Through a combined effort of social media and direct community engagement, FRIENDS have amassed a base of over 300,000 fans, followers, and supporters of the cause. In addition, the FRIENDS have amassed a bipartisan list of over 50 members of the House and Senate who support the museum initiative. That list will continue to be a focus for the remainder of the year with the goal of hitting 100 members of Congress.

FRIENDS used the event to call Washington’s political leaders to action. Passing the Smithsonian American Latino Museum Act would designate space along the National Mall to the project and create a landmark to the culture and contributions of the Latino community to the founding and strengthening of our nation.

“This event is another exciting milestone in the journey toward an American Latino Museum,” said Jonathan Yorba, chair of FRIENDS. “We call on members of the House and Senate to support the museum legislation, and we call on all Americans who support this project to join our effort on our website or social networks. An historic achievement like this one does not come quickly or easily, but through the hard work of our supporters, this museum is closer than ever to becoming a reality.”

Eduardo Diaz the Director of the Smithsonian Latino Center stands next to photographer Jesus Manuel Mena Garza.

The reception featured the historic photographs of Jesus Manuel Mena Garza, The Chicano Photographer is known for documenting movements and leaders like Cesar Chavez and Corky Gonzales that empowered the Latino community over the last few decades. Garza made remarks during the reception noting that despite being approached by other cultural institutions, he is “holding out for a National American Latino Museum to show case my work.” Attendees of the reception also received the 2012 American Latino Museum Campaign Poster, the contest-winning poster created by the Latino-owned firm, UNO Branding found here.

Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino (www.americanlatinomuseum.org)
Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino, Inc., a 501(c)(3) incorporated in Washington, D.C., strives to create a museum in our nation’s capital to educate, inspire and encourage respect and understanding of the richness and diversity of the American Latino experience within the U.S. and its territories by highlighting the contributions made by Latino leaders, pioneers and communities to the American way of life.

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Jesús Garza's Chicano Photographer show (1970-1975) continues for 30 more days

[Photo of César Estrada Chávez by Jesús Garza. Click image to view and/or download larger version. Suitable for printing.]

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Chicano Photographer, an exhibition by Riverside, California documentary photographer Jesús Manuel Mena Garza opened at the San Bernardino County Museum (SBCM) Schuilling Gallery, March 26, 2011. The exhibition continues to November 6.

The photographs were captured from 1970 to 1975. During this period, Garza took intimate photographs of Chicano icons César E. Chávez, Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzáles and others. The photographs provide a retrospective glimpse from the unique perspective of the photojournalist and activist. The SBCM exhibition lists thirty-one select images from the photographer’s Imágenes Xicano Archive, a portion of which has already been exhibited on both coasts.

University of Redlands Professor Dr. Ann Marie Leimer adds, “During the past decades, Garza has extensively published and exhibited several documentary photographic series. The Chicano Photographer series explores important aspects of the American experience, historic events and cultural practices often marginalized by the dominant culture.” Photographs from the series have already been published in journals and books. Dr. Leimer recently completed a book on the photographic series. The exhibition is perfect for students 5 to 95. Please feel free to contact the museum or artist for more information.

San Bernardino County Museum
Schuilling Gallery
2024 Orange Tree Lane
Redlands CA 92374
Voice (909) 307-2669 ext. 227 Fax (909) 307-0689
www.sbcountymuseum.org

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Asco: A Hollywood Love Affair

By Jesús Manuel Mena Garza

[Click photo to enlarge. Click header to go to LACMA website.]

Asco, four Chicana/o artists from Los Angeles have been described as radical performance artists. Today, they are touted as revolutionary conceptual artists and their popularity is at a fever pitch.

An exhibition titled "Asco: Elite of the Obscure, a Retrospective, 1972-1987" opens to the public on Sept. 4 at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Southern California Chicana/o glitterati are sure to be in attendance at the "super grande" opening on August 31.

Like all things local, Los Angelinos adore "Los Four." Along with the upcoming exhibition they are being feted as heroes by regional academia. From outsiders tagging museum walls in 1972 to being placed on a pedestal inside the museum in 2011, it has been a forty year journey for artists Harry Gamboa Jr., Willie Herrón, Patssi Valdez and Gronk.

The question I ask today is why a group like Asco flourished in Los Angeles and not in Northern California? Artists in the Bay Area painted incredible murals, posters and works on canvas but only in Southern California did Chicanos and Chicanas combine theater and art into performance art in the early seventies.

I remember there being a distinct separation in the Bay Area of those who were on stage and those who painted, printed or photographed. To combine the two genres required a force of personality or in the case of Los Four, the effect of Hollywood.

I have noticed that Hollywood holds a certain power over Southern Californians. Many here achingly desire to be part of the performance culture. Asco was “cast” by this phenomenon. It was an insular trend, not replicated outside of Tinsel Town, and not valued as much too.

The South is proud of their homegrown products. When I travel to other parts of the country, Chicanos and Chicanas also venerate their artists. Be it San Antonio, Albuquerque or Denver, they all have a parochial attitude toward their creative class.

Growing up in the Bay Area I too developed an intense sense of place. As a point of pride, I can proclaim that no artist from the South presented works on paper as politically intuitive and compelling as Northerner, Malaquias Montoya. No SoCal Chicano muralist created finer works than those on San Francisco walls. José Antonio Burciaga exalted the jalapeño to new heights in his poetry and made us proud of our spicy culture. Yes, there is culture up north... too.

Theater groups were manifest in the Bay Area. In fact, Northern California is the home of Chicano Theater and Teatro Campesino. Some of those weaned by Bay Area theater moved and infused Southern California teatro, making it more professional and relevant to the Chicano cause.

Lowriding may have been popular on Whittier Boulevard but it took three San José State Students; Sonny Madrid, Antonio Perales and Larry Gonzalez to quantify it. They explored the nuances of our car culture and delivered it to the world in Lowrider Magazine. That distinct manifestation has even found a home in Japan.

In the end, each community has their heroes. Today, LA has Asco. These four artists had the guts to get in front of the camera and perform. They are unique to the City of Angels and part of the early 70s Chicano avant-garde.

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Chicano Photographer Exhibition Continues at San Bernardino County Museum

[Photo copyright 2011 Jesus Manuel Mena Garza. All rights reserved. Click header for more information about the exhibition.]

Chicano Photographer, an exhibition by Riverside, California documentary photographer Jesús Manuel Mena Garza is available for public viewing at the San Bernardino County Museum (SBCM) Schuilling Gallery. The show continues to November 6, 2011.

Please call (909) 307-2669 x227 or email kplimley@sbcm.sbcounty.gov for more information.

2011 San Bernardino County Museum Photography Exhibition Focuses on the 1970s Chicano Experience

[Click photo to enlarge. Photo copyright 2011 Jesus Manuel Mena Garza. All rights reserved.]

UPDATE: Chicano Photographer, an exhibition by Riverside, California documentary photographer Jesús Manuel Mena Garza opens at the San Bernardino County Museum (SBCM) Schuilling Gallery, March 26, 2011. The exhibition continues to November 6.

A reception open to the public takes place on Friday, March 25, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Space is limited (400+). Please call (909) 307-2669 x227 or email kplimley@sbcm.sbcounty.gov to make your reservation. The event is free to museum members or $10 at the door.

Get more information by clicking here...

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Chicano Photographer Exhibition

Please note that the reception has been moved to March 25, 2011. The exhibition opens to the general public the next day. It will be a packed house. See you there.

Call Jesus at (909) 557-7151 or send him email if you have any questions.

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2011 San Bernardino County Museum Photography Exhibition Focuses on the 70s Chicano Experience

[Photo by Ann Marie Leimer, Ph.D. Click to enlarge]

Chicano Photographer, an exhibition by Riverside, California documentary photographer Jesús Manuel Mena Garza opens at the San Bernardino County Museum (SBCM) Schuilling Gallery, March 26, 2011. The exhibition continues to November 6. A reception open to the public takes place on March 25, from 5:30 to 8:30 PM.

The photographs were captured from 1970 to 1975. During this period, Garza took intimate photographs of Chicano icons César E. Chávez, Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzáles and others. The photographs provide a retrospective glimpse from the unique perspective of the photojournalist and activist. The SBCM exhibition lists thirty-one select images from the photographer’s Imágenes Xicano Archive, a portion of which has already been exhibited on both coasts.

University of Redlands Professor Dr. Ann Marie Leimer adds, “During the past decades, Garza has extensively published and exhibited several documentary photographic series. The Chicano Photographer series explores important aspects of the American experience, historic events and cultural practices often marginalized by the dominant culture.” Photographs from the series have already been published in journals and books. Dr. Leimer recently completed a book on the photographic series. The Chicano Photographer series can be viewed at Garza’s website, jmmgarza.com.

Please contact the SBCM for details about lectures and events coinciding with the Chicano Photographer exhibition. The March 25, 2011 reception is a family-friendly event featuring free entertainment, food and refreshments. Parking is also free.

Chicano Photographer Exhibition and Lecture Series

Location:

San Bernardino County Museum

Schuilling Gallery

2024 Orange Tree Lane

Redlands CA 92374

Voice (909) 307-2669 ext. 227 Fax (909) 307-0689

www.sbcountymuseum.org

Contacts:

Ann Marie Leimer, Ph.D., University of Redlands, 909-557-7159, ann_leimer@redlands.edu

Michele Nielsen, Curator of History, San Bernardino County Museum, (909) 307-2669 ext. 240, mnielsen@sbcm.sbcounty.gov

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Please note!

I update my blog at least once a month. So don't be shy... check it out regularly and please leave your comments.

Updated Blog Design

Folks....

I have updated the look (not the feel) of my blog. It took me a total of five minutes and I hope you like it. Please feel free to comment and make suggestions.

Jesus Manuel Mena Garza

Chicano Photographer Video

Comment on Chinese Labor and US Corporations

Jesus Manuel Mena Garza

It has become increasingly obvious to me that American corporations are working hand in hand with the Chinese government to render the US, a second rate power. This is being done in two ways.

First, it is well known that corporations love profits. Who doesn't like a little extra cash in their pocket. What Americans aren’t aware of is that corporations don’t need US workers to become successful. If an American company has a great product they can probably make it cheaper in China. So everything from iPhones to granite counter tops are shipped to us from the Peoples Republic of China. Why pay an American worker $12 an hour when you can pay a Chinese person much less.

American corporations are quick to scuttle US plants and their associated costs in favor of cheap overseas labor. Hell, they might even get a tax break courtesy of the our government. The effect is, every year there are fewer products “Made in America.”

Talking about strange bedfellows. The socialist republic has apparently found a partner in the boardrooms of American corporations. This association requires that American companies share their technology. Greedy American corporations don’t mind sharing tech in exchange for short term profits. If history is any teacher, these American partners will be eventually abandoned when the Chinese master production.

The Chinese are a proud and diverse people. They understand that their 1.3 billion citizens have become the manufacturing engine of the world with the aid of international corporations. Apparently their long term goal is to become the world’s greatest economic and military power, surpassing the US.

The Chinese admit they already pirate American movies, jewelry and clothes. Just imagine what they can do with the assistance of multi-billion dollar corporations. Who can prevent them from achieving their goals sooner than later with such powerful corporate partners?

All the while the United States government turns a blind eye to corporate irregularities. In fact we give our corporations billions in taxpayer dollars even when they fail. If you don’t know by now, the American legal and tax system is designed to increase profits for America’s elite.

Here is a quick example. Can the average American write off the cost of a vacation or a car? Well, corporations can. All they have to do is call them business trips and auto leases. Ripping off the American public is considered business as usual. That is why corporations won’t invest in American workers and they will in China and pocket the profits.

Corporate America and their new Chinese partners could care less about shuttering an American plant. Yes, American workers can live in cardboard boxes as long as their stock goes up in value. That is why Republicans and the corporate class continue to complain about funding welfare and other social programs. They understand that many blue collar Americans are destined for the soup line en route to oblivion.

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