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Borderlandia

Wednesday, 06 April 2011 17:41

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Border art comes to Tucson at the Tucson Museum of Art. Borderlandia is the brainchild of Einar and Jamex de la Torre, two artist brothers.

These two men moved from Guadalajara, Mexico to California as youths. They now live and work in San Diego. Since that time, they have straddled the border on a regular basis. Their move is the subject of much of their art.

According to Ann Seiferle-Valencia, curator of Latin American Art at the Tucson Museum of Art, the transition from a Catholic elementary school to a public school in California in an area that was like a "surfer town" influenced their art. They were exposed to the "pop culture influence."

The over-sized sculptures are colorful glass objects. Some are free standing, some are on pedestals and others are mounted on the wall. Whether using dinner plates or creating whimsical images, the brothers' exhibit is sure to peak public interest.

"They are influenced by traditional Mexican folk art and Mexican Colonial art. They use traditional glass blowing techniques," Seiferle-Valencia said.

The reason for this mix of California pop culture and Mexican folk art is because they are dual Mexican and American citizens. "From the time they were young they traveled back and forth on both sides of the border," Seiferle-Valencia said.

Today, the de la Torre brothers have two studios. One is located in San Diego, California and the other is located in Ensenada, Mexico.

According to Seiferle-Valencia, they split their time between both studios and transport their projects between them.

The brothers' art was originally supposed to be on display during a glass conference at the Tucson Museum of Art but when SB 1070 passed, the museum cancelled the exhibit. The de la Torre brothers talked to the chief curator of the Tucson Museum of Art and organized a border-themed exhibit.

The exhibit name, Borderlandia, is a pun on what Mexicans call Disneyland, which is Disneylandia. It took a year to plan with the brothers who were constructing the pieces for the exhibit in previous years.

The mixed media sculptures are on display at the Tucson Museum of Art through June 12.

Written by Jillian Roggen You are reading Borderlandia articles

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