[The original email came with a graphic attached. Due to concerns about
forwarding graphics and attachments I chose not to forward the attached
graphic. But, you can check it (and a lot of other amazing pieces) out
at <http://home.earthlink.net/~almalopez/lupesire/ourlady.html>. Calaca
]



Subject: Cyber Arte - Please help
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2001 07:18:58 -0800
From: Alma Lopez <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]


Dear friends,

Forgive this very long email.  Most of you already know about some of
the controversy and emails against the image of "Our Lady" at the Museum

of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This is an update
with the most recent email responses.

Last Friday it all erupted.  As Villegas and others met with the Museum
Director and the Cultural Affairs Officer, there was an organized rally
of twenty people outside the Museum.  After the meeting, the Museum
Director and the Cultural Affairs Officer called me.  Basically Villegas

wants the removal of "Our Lady" from the exhibit, removal of Director,
and an apology.

I am very impressed with Villegaís media campaign since news about this
has appeared in most of New Mexico local media and even national media,
such as Channel 34 and 13, Reforma in Mexico City, and possibly others.

At first I tried to explain myself and my work against Villegaís attacks

because I felt that it was just a misunderstanding.  But now, I am
really getting upset.  I feel that he is not respecting me.  I have not
done anything wrong in my portrayal of  "Our Lady" and as a
Latina/Chicana, raised in Los Angeles born in Mexico and baptized
Catholic, I have a right to relate to her in my own way.  After all,
doesnít she belong to everyone?   Isnít everyoneís relationship with
their creator/god/virgen, a personal relationship?

Sometime this week, a meeting will take place with the Museum, Cultural
Affairs, and community.  The Museum and Cultural Affairs are very
supportive and since this has got everyone by surprise, want the artist
community to organize.

I am asking for your immediate support in three ways:

1. Email the museum in support of artist and museumís right to exhibit
artwork.

[log in to unmask]


2. Email or call your friends, especially if you have any who live in
New Mexico and may be able to visit the Museum.  Please ask them to see
the exhibition, write their comments down, let someone at the museum
know how they felt about the exhibition.   Not just because I am one of
the artists, but honestly, itís a very nice exhibition.

Cyber Arte features computer-inspired work by contemporary
Hispana/Chicana/Latina artists, all of who intentionally combine
elements traditionally defined as "folk" with current computer
technology to create a new aesthetic. Artists include Elena Baca, Marion

Martinez, Teresa Archuleta Sagel, and me, Alma Lopez.

Museum of International Folk Art
Museum Plaza
Camino Lejo
Off Old Santa Fe Trail
www.moifa.org
505 476 1200

3.  Write a letter in support of my work, the right of artists & museums

to exhibit work, the exhibition and the work of curator Tey Marianna
Nunn and the museum staff.  The letter should be addressed to:

Thomas Wilson, Director
Museum of New Mexico
P.O. Box 2087
Santa Fe, NM 87501

And please cc the following:

Joyce Ice, Ph.D.
Tey Marianna Nunn, Ph.D.
Curator of Contemporary Hispano and Latino collections
P.O. Box 2087
Santa fe, NM 87504

Dr. Edson Way
Cultural Affairs Officer
Office of Cultural Affairs
La Villa Rivera Building
228 E. Palace
Santa Fe, NM 87501

Alma Lopez
c/o Tongues/VIVA
1125 N. McCadden Place Suite 148
Los Angeles, CA 90038-1212

Thank you so much.



Subject:  (no subject)
Date: Mon, 19 Mar 2001 14:07:12 EST
From: [log in to unmask]
To: Jose [log in to unmask]
CC: [log in to unmask]

Dear hermano:

It is incredibly distressing to see an active Chicano like yourself be
so misguided.  I hope you can understand the context in which the art
was created and the meaning behind it.  Though others might believe
otherwise, Latinos have a deep tradition in the arts and are insightful
people- I work at a museum of Latin American art here in Los Angeles,
and understand how valuable an artist's interpretation is.  For
starter's you might want to look up a favorite painting of mine by Jose
Clemente Orozco (famous Mexican muralist) where he paints Jesus Christ
as a man you has come back to reclaim his name and stop the criminals,
politicians and capitalists who have misused the name of God.  He is
holding an ax and has chopped down his own crucifix.
It is really powerful.

What I wish you would understand is the idea that La Virgen belongs to
no one as much as it belongs to everyone.  Her image has been created
and recreated by hundreds of thousands of Chicanos like you and I- look
on the walls of your corner markets or your neighborhood iglesia or the
notebooks of our highschoolers.  Every one of us, in our own way, has
taken her image and made it personal.  You don't agree with Alma's
expression, and you know, that's cool.  But do not create mitote where
there need not be.

I have only been to New Mexico once and thought it was incredible.  If
you are in Los Angeles, please let us know and we'll take you for a tour

of all the East LA murals that include La Virgen and maybe you'll
understand why this work is valid and valuable.

Hasta luego.  Paz

Erick Serrato

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