Art Critic

Zacango hosted the community’s first Final Friday Art Exhibition this evening. The comisaria (community room) turned gallery displayed the work of a group of artists (12-15 years old) who were part of Jaime’s art class this semester. The exhibition featured art inspired by artisan work throughout Mexico, such as painted tiles, ojos de Dios (Eyes of God) and Aztec and Mayan designs. The evening highlighted the creativity and talent of the youth of Zacango.

The majority of these junior high artists are finished with formal schooling. With only a primary school in the community, most of the budding artists lack the resources or encouragement to continue at the secondary school in Olinalá, a 15-20 minute truck ride away. The art class provided this impressionable group with a rare opportunity to spend time together laughing, learning and expressing their creativity. In a school system that values rote learning, perfection and discipline, the weekly meeting encouraged the youth to use their imagination, which was difficult at first.

Mid afternoon, Jaime and I walked to the “suburbs” of Zacango, which means that we walked for 5 minutes on a dirt road away from the cancha (basketball court) and the central gathering area of the community, to the house of the community announcement maker. For 5 pesos, you can have any announcement broadcast on a loudspeaker to the community. Depending on where you are, you can hear the announcement more or less clearly. We announced the 6:30 art opening and the 8:00 movie premiere of Los Monstruos del Agua, a movie starring the children of Zacango and directed and produced by Bruce.

At 5:00pm Jaime and Bruce opened the gallery exclusively for the four art critics, and I was honored to be named among this distinguished group. Luis, the town mayor, German, one of the two teachers at the primary school, his wife Valentina, a lifelong learner and creative seamstress, and I were given the difficult task of providing our expert opinion. We were to rank the entries in each of the eight different exhibits that featured the work of eight to twelve artists.

With ethereal music in the background, we began our critique, each with his/her own judging notebook and ideas of art. We were specifically told that judges were not to collaborate on decisions. Awards for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd were bestowed based on the averages of the four judges. I thoroughly appreciated the effort and creativity that each artist displayed. It was wonderful to see each judge take so seriously the task at hand. German, the school teacher, stood at the paintings of the churches for about as long as it took me to judge two or three exhibits.

Painted tiles

On the wall are pastel paintings of the church.

On the table are examples of the painted tiles.

The top exhibit is intricate string designs.

Ojos de Dios made with yarn

On the table are cement stepping stones with mosaic patterns.

Drawings inspired by Aztec and Mayan designs

Painted glass bottles a la stained glass windows found in churches throughout Mexico

The kids and youth were kept at bay until the art critics had finished, at which point they eagerly entered to see where the ribbons were placed. Almost all of the artists won a prize, but there were several repeat winners. One of repeat winners that most impressed me was Oscar, a humble and seemingly shy youth, who won several 1^st ribbons for his originality and effort. Having no other siblings and both of his parents in the United States, he lives with his grandmother. For all his creativity and desire to learn, he is finished with formal schooling, and I am left to wonder where will he be in ten years? Will he discover avenues to use his imagination and share his gifts?

It was wonderful to see the excitement of the artists and the energy in the room at this first ever youth art event. Several parents and assorted community members joined the artists to view the talent of the youth. The judges skipped the wine and cheese and opted for a cold Modelo as our reward, which we enjoyed in the evening breeze.

The energy mounting, the makeshift gallery reinvented itself again as a movie theater for the premiere of Los Monstruos del Agua, a movie starring the children of Zacango and filmed on location. The tables were pushed aside and chairs set up, which were all filled quickly. As the opening credits rolled and the music started, the giggles began when the children recognized themselves. The adults smiled, proud of their sons and daughters. The curiosity of the “too cool” youth playing basketball overcame them, and soon they were two deep at the windows trying to get a peek at the 5 minute movie.

The basic premise of the movie is that a meteorite hits Zacango causing the water to become contaminated. When the children drink the water they turn into monsters. With the entire community turning into monsters, our hero, Diana, discovers a cure. She vaccinates / cures the community in a harrowing and dramatic scene that includes her chasing the kids all over the basketball court. The end of the film includes lessons from the kids of how the community can care for their water.

I was not asked to be a film critic, but I have no doubt that there will be successful future films by the same director and starring the same talented actors. The actors are already requesting to see a film script about the effects of trash on a community. I hope that I will be invited to the limited screenings of future Oscar worthy films such as Los Monstruos del Agua.

Taking advantage of the large gathering, Jaime and Bruce decided to use the forum to acknowledge the prize winners of the art exhibition. In true Mexican form, each judge was asked to say a few words. While we all expressed our congratulations, admiration of the talent, and recognition that not everyone can win yet that should not take away from the individual talent and creativity of all the artists, the most inspired speech came from Valentina. She gave a rousing and inspirational speech that encouraged the children and youth to have a ¡Si puedo!(Yes I can!) attitude in all things. And with those words as a conclusion, the winning artists were announced and received their prize money.

Too often the new, naïve MCC worker enters the assignment with visions of changing the world. This small art exhibition and movie showing did not change the world, probably not even the community. It was one evening among many in Zacango. Bruce and Jaime recognize that their three years living in Zacango are a drop in the bucket in the life of the community. It is insignificant; however, like teaching, I believe that they made some small impact on these youth and children. I thank Bruce and Jaime for their presence in Zacango, and I thank Zacango for accepting them into their lives.