Noted and Notable: A Film About Alfredo de Batuc
Michael Sedano
How many years ago was it that I attended Frank Romero's holiday sale? As I enter Romero's Frogtown studio a nondescript fellow staffs a table holding prints and a ceramic mask that I instantly fall in love with. I buy the ceramic face that resembles the moon and is a distinctive motif created by an artist I know only by name, and his work. A Mexicano with long-time Los Angeles roots, his artistic sensibilility captures abstract figuration in a wholly unique style.
It turns out that nondescript fellow is the artist himself, Alfredo de Batuc. I am happy to have met the artist even though at the time I had no idea of our encounter. Time passes and the more I see of de Batuc's work, the more I look for an opportunity to acquire more.
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| Michael Sedano models one side of the de Batuc ceramic sculpture in the form of a mask. |
Fast forward a few years and I buy "Las Cuatas," a de Batuc serigraph celebrating Día de los Muertos and Self-Help Graphics. Self-Help Graphics awakened Southern California to DDLM whose numerous events launch holiday sales and exhibitions. The "Las Cuatas" serigraph is a pastiche of the Frida Kahlo painting Las Dos Fridas. The artist invites me to his home to pick up the work, the last copy of the production run.
Getting to de Batuc's home leads me past a row of timber bamboo--the raw material for making güiros. Happily I take home my print and have permission from the landlord to return and harvest a goodly supply of bamboo.
Now in present time, de Batuc's recovery has been slow and impressive. He is making art again, albeit small pieces owing to the fatigue that sets in quickly, and the effects of recovering from paralysis.
In a major show of progress, filmmaker Roberto Oregel and Alfredo de Batuc hold a showing of Oregel's film covering de Batuc's artistic accomplishments and his illness. Lejanías y Nostalgia features biographical narrative and interviews with some of Los Angeles' most prominent artists who share their concern and admiration for the fallen artist (link to trailer).
The showing is held at Consulado General de Mexico, across from McArthur park near downtown Los Angeles. The audience of artists and well-wishers welcomes the film enthusiastically. The audience knows we are privileged viewers, owing to the scarcity of showings of Oregel's film. The engaging film's high production values allow it to stand alongside any award-winning documentary. Lejanías y Nostalgia The Art of Alfredo de Batuc needs to be seen.
La Bloga's Michael Sedano does his metiche thing and contacts Pasadena's Norton Simon Museum, urging the museo's film curator to add showings of Lejanías y Nostalgia The Art of Alfredo de Batuc to the museum's ongoing film series currently showcasing noted European artists like Van Gogh, and fictional English artist Gulley Jimson.
De Batuc's work, most widely known from his only mural, is puro Los Angeles arte, and the Norton Simon's audience deserves to know this artist. De Batuc's LA City Hall motif will instantly identify the artist as quintessentially El Lay and if there's justice in the world, buyers will empty the artist's storage racks.
Although the museo is not currently acquiring new work, sharing the film will be a feather in the NSM's cap and evidence of the museum's commitment to high artistic merit and public service. An interesting coincidence, Norton Simon himself experienced Guillain–Barré syndrome, a compelling parallel between de Batuc and the museum's namesake.
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| Aida Velasco, Alfredo de Batuc, Roberto Oregel |
The Consulado's Aida Velasco interviews the filmmaker and artist to expand on material Oregel's superb script covers, as well as delve into territory not disclosed in film.
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| Aida Velasco, José Vicente Borjón, Alfredo de Batuc, Roberto Oregel |
A delightful moment occurs when Vice Consul José Vicente Borjón tells the audience he's searched the Consulado's files to discover a foto of de Batuc pictured standing at the artist's singular mural in Hollywood of Dolores del Río. De Batuc's delight receiving the gift is palpable.
Thousands, if not millions, of people annually drive past 6529 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90028 and know that mural, but likely do not know the artist's name nor his oeuvre.
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| José Vicente Borjón, Aida Velasco, Alfredo de Batuc, noted collector and gallerist Molly Barnes, Roberto Oregel |
Chicanarte Moving East from Los Angeles: Pomona's Galeria Yasmin
Pomona, California has a rich history of showcasing Chicana Chicano artists at the DA gallery. More recently, just around the corner from the DA arrives Galeria Yasmín (link).
Galeria Yasmin, firmly committed to social justice and community, is both a gallery and a law office. Operated by arts educator Yasmin Cardona, the space welcomes not only painters and sculptors, but also poets.
La Bloga-Tuesday was pleased to attend the most recent iteration of the gallery's Third Sunday Open Mic. Here is a portrait gallery of the readers, who identify themselves only by first name. It's an engaging lineup of writers at varying stages of growth; poets with a future, poets with a book, and accomplished performers.
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| Victor is a young poet reading with confidence. |
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| Juan brings an effigy of the current U.S. president. As Juan recites his poem he dismembers the piñata-like figure. There is no candy, just hot air inside the empty vessel. Art imitates life, que no? |
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| Angel Guerreo is an accomplished performer whose work reflects keen understanding of humanity, social justice, and human rights. |
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| Julia C. Gaytán is the feature poet. Her debut collection, Ion Love, from publisher Riot of Roses (link) reflects the poet's mathematical and scientific background. Hers is an engaging set replete with chemical allusions and a young poet's loves and insights. |
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| The reader and MC is unidentified. |
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| Galeria Yasmin's Poet-in-Residence Matt Sedillo is a highly accomplished performer and author of several well-received volumes. |
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| Kimberly Hartman reads with confidence. |
La Bloga will undoubtedly attend future events at Galeria Yasmin so look for a profile of the venue in an upcoming La Bloga-Tuesday.
