Support Chicana artists!

L.A. artist Alma Lopez fights for Chicana creativity

Alma's new site on the controversy

History of the controversy:
Webjefa's letter, 3/26/01
Alma Lopez's Appeal/Statement
What You Can Do
Villegas' Original Complaint, 3/17/01
   Alma's response

A few emails of support
Complete emails of support

News coverage in the SF New Mexican:     

Conservative Catholics protest current exhibition in Santa Fe

*Graphic reprinted with permission of Alma Lopez, copyright 2000 Alma Lopez.

Webjefa's letter, 3/26/01

Hi folks,

Can you please try to find the time now or in the next few days to write a quick letter in support of L.A.-based Chicana artist Alma Lopez? Her beautiful portrayal of the virgen de guadalupe is currently being displayed in the Museum of Intl Folk Art in Santa Fe, where a local man, Jose Villegas has led others in calling for its removal "and a public apology." This is not the first time that Chicana artists seeking to transform and reclaim traditional religious imagery have been threatened and silenced (remember Esther Hernandez's virgen and Yolanda Lopez' Virgen triptych?). It is vital that Alma's work be respected, if not liked, as a vital contribution to our diverse Chicana/o community; and I think it important that we support our colegas in the arts....

Alma has done an amazing body of public and digital art relating to AfrAm and Chicana/o communities in the United States (much available online at http://home.earthlink.net/~almalopez ). Her canvases range from billboards and murals all over the L.A. area to "Tongues," an online black/brown queer webzine.

Please, please, take a minute to read Alma's letter below, and at least shoot off an email or quick letter to the museum.....

Thank you,

Susana Gallardo
Webjefa, http://Chicanas.com

From Alma Lopez:

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 Villega’s 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 Villega’s 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, doesn’t she belong to everyone? Isn’t everyone’s 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 museum’s right to exhibit artwork: TMNunn@moifa.org

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, it’s 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, 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:

Dr. 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.

Relevant emails:

The complaint:

Subject: Our Nuestra de Guadalupe in New Mexico is Sacred Date: Sat, 17 Mar 2001 15:17:09 -0700 From: "Jose Villegas" <Jose_Villegas@email.msn.com> To: < almalopez@earthlink.net> CC: <dadsacp@hotmail.com>

March 17, 2001
*
Dear Ms. Lopez:
*
I posted a response on March 17, 2001 in your website, however, I am not sure if you received it. Therefore, I am resending another email to you.
*
As you know or aware of, our local Santa Fe newspaper wrote a story "Skimpily Attired 'Our Lady' Protested'. So far, the community reaction to this story is very unfavorable towards your Cyber Arte exhibit and you may find yourself in some serious trouble with our raza in Northern New Mexico.
*
If you are truly tune in with our gente's religious history in Northern New Mexico and how we feel towards this specific issue, you will understand that regardless of where you live, your disrespect towards the catholic community and our blessed mother will not be tolerated in Northern New Mexico.
*
According to the newspaper article, you stated "I have supporters in New Mexico, pointing out that members of the audience for a panel discussion in Santa Fe expected some controversy over "Our Lady" and attended to offer their support".
*
Let me reassure you one thing about your New Mexico supporters, we will find out who they are and when we do, we will do whatever it takes to admonish them in the public form and hold thier actions accountable. We will take them to a higher level. They have no clue on what a controversy is in New Mexico, especially when you mess with a sacred image that does not belong to you. Some people say it is alright to do your own onda in art expression, however, when you cross the sacred boundaries of our gente traditional values of over five hundred years, you cannot imposed and/or provoke thought on an issue that will inflame emotions against your own gente. Our Nuestra de Guadalupe does not belong to the new age interpretation of the millienum century and never will.
*
Again, how can you transformed a sacred fifteenth century "sacred"
image of our blessed mother into a millienum century man-made object? What you consider "devotion" in this type of art is not what my generation was taught by our parents, grandparents, and ancestors.
*
I do recognize that you have special graces that god has given to you to share with others such as your art work, however, you have no say-so regardless on whether you think you have the moral, legal, or ethical right to become irreverence toward something considered "sacred" or "inviolable" with our gente, especially with our blessed mother.
*
A point of clarification, Our Nuestra de Guadalupe picture really constitutes Guadalupe. It makes the shrine whether it is located in Mexico City, Los Angeles, and/or Santa Fe, New Mexico; it occasions the devotion. It is taken as representing the Immaculate Conception, being the lone figure of the woman with the sun, moon, and star accompaniments of the great apocalyptic sign, and in addition a supporting angel under the crescent. Nothing else counts!
*
Northern New Mexico also has a long history of struggle with the United States Congress over the recognition of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and its provisions relating to our New Mexico Land Grants, senior water-rights, and the preservation of our mother tongue. The list goes on and on. So what is it that you don't understand about our Indio-Chicano-Mexican history relating to our devotion to Our Nuestra Madre?
*
So then, what is the message I bring to you today? Is it our common future? Yes it is? It seems that we are living in a time of prophesies, a time of definitions and decision. We are the generation with the responsibility and option to choose the path of life with a future for our children or the path that defies the laws of respect.
*
We were also told that there would come a time when parents would fail this obligation, and we could judge the decline of humanity by how we treat our children. Yes, the time has come because we have your pluralistic society that says anything goes and that your type of Christian philosophy is okay. Again, my generation does not support your point of view relating to sacred art images being disrespected. You have no right to provoke new thoughts of what type of sacred art images are accepted or not in my generation.
*
In conclusion, I am here today to submit to you that we will defend our blessed mother from the assaults that you have decided to aggressively pursue.
*
Our indio-Chicano-Mexican religious beliefs, customs, traditions, principles, and value system is part of an entire Nuestra de Guadalupe story. Our sacred images and religious symbols is the foundation of our faith and belief systems in place and should not be taken advantage of.
Copyright and the Freedom of Speech laws that you claim to possess does not apply to my generation. Again, these sacred images belong to the indigenous people of the Americas, not you and /or your new-age ideology that your exhibit portrays as "CyberArte Tradition Meets Technology".
*
One thing you don't do in Northern New Mexico is become "playful" over a sacred image that will create irrapable harm to its people and culture.
In this case, you violated the sacred boundaries of our Indio-Chicano-Mexicano community. Ya! Basta! You started a firestorm in New Mexico and we are going to put it out.........
*
Que Viva La Raza!
Que Viva La Causa!
Que Viva Los Brown Berets!
Que Viva Cesar Estrada Chavez!
*
José L. Villegas, Sr.
Chicano Activist

Alma's response:

Dear Mr. Villegas,

Thank you so much for taking the time to write to me about your response to the current exhibition Cyber Arte at the New Mexico International Museum of Folk Art in Santa Fe, and specifically one of my images titled Our Lady.

"Our Lady" image is based on an essay titled "Guadalupe the Sex Goddess" by Sandra Cisneros in the book Goddess of the Americas/La Diosa de las Americas edited by Ana Castillo. I feel that the essay, as well as my image are attempts by Chicanas to find personal connections with this image that we grew up with.

I portray our lady as a strong Indigena/Chicana/Latina/Mexicana, and not as the young passive (head bowed with clasped hands) image that I grew up seeing in my home and in my community. The reason for this is because all the women I have known in my family and in community are very strong mujeres who struggle to nurture and provide for their families. I wanted to honor and respect their strength. And, I can only imagine that the mother of Jesus would be an incredibly strong mujer to raise and endure the pain of her son’s struggles.

I portray the angel carrying her on the half moon nude because men and women are beautiful children of our creator. Our bodies are beautiful. Among so much more, when I see women’s breasts I think of how beautiful they are… how my mother breast-fed me… and of nurturing… I can’t help but wonder what may be going through a person’s mind that thinks that breasts are not beautiful and nurturing, but something to be hidden.

My two friends who collaborated with me on this image are strong and beautiful women whom I respect and admire. Both are community activists and one teaches young people self esteem/culture through performance art.

The entire exhibition is beautiful. The curator, the exhibition designer, and the entire staff of the museum have done an amazing job of connecting traditional images with digital technology. At the reception and the panel discussion, I met many Nuevo Mexicanos who seemed to like the entire exhibition, including my work. Of course, not everyone will like my work and that’s alright.

Again thank you so much for taking the time to let me know that you saw the exhibition and your thoughts on my work.

Sincerely, Alma Lopez

Letters of Support:

Subject: Re: Our Nuestra de Guadalupe in New Mexico is Sacred Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2001 12:56:47 -0800 From: Favianna Rodriguez <favianna2@yahoo.com> To: <almalopez@earthlink.net>, Jose Villegas <Jose_Villegas@email.msn.com> CC: <dadsacp@hotmail.com>

Great Response Alma! I wanted to write something to Mr. Villegas expressing my outrage at his remarks, which are very male-centered and catholic-centered. What he left out was a critical analysis of how it was the catholic church who imposed such "sacred" icons and such traditions in the first place, through the genocide of an entire continent. And what does he mean by "sacred"? Guadalupe is sacred to me and I loved your piece. I thought it had a very powerful message. On the contrary, I think the piece reflects years of indoctrination by the Catholic Church, and how you are saying "no", and putting up a strong mujer. That's what bothers these hardcore Chicanos activists, they can't handle the powerful mujer, they especially can't handle a queer powerful mujer. So I don't fall for his interpretation. I think it's very narrow-minded. So you have my support, the support of a Xicana here in Oakland Califazatlan.

Peace,
Favianna Rodriguez

Subject: Re: Our Nuestra de Guadalupe in New Mexico is Sacred Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2001 16:21:14 -0700 From: "Barrio Warrior" <dadsacp@hotmail.com> To: favianna2@yahoo.com, almalopez@earthlink.net, Jose_Villegas@email.msn.com

March 18, 2001

Dear Favianna:

Thank you for your email message.

How can you blame the catholic church as the only one in history that imposed such "sacred" icons and such traditions in the first place. If you have seriously studied the historical contributions of Our Nuestra de Guadalupe relating to Southwest history, especially chicano(a) history from over five hundred years, your comment that "hardcore chicano activists, can't handle the powerful mujer, they especially can't handle a queer powerful mujer" is out of line. At no time did I personally attack Alma because of her sexual orientation and/or gender due this type of art. And I will not even go there! Orale!

On a personal note, it was my mothers love that created the man that I am. It is my mothers sangre and tears that has mold me to what I am today. I have never disrespected my elders and thier elders, especially "la mujer" in my barrio. By all respect, don't give me this bullshit about critical analysis of how it was the catholic church who imposed such "sacred" icons and such traditions in the first place, through genocide of an entire continent. There is also another side of a story, especially the church history. Either your educated about New Mexico and Southwest church history or your not! So what gives?

On a last note, what is blasphemy? Blasphemy is insulting language which expresses contempt for God, either directly or through his saints and holy things. Sacrilege art is a form of blasphemy, irreverent actions and thoughts against God, the saints and angels, or holy persons and things, are also blasphemous.

Again, I am a man of devotion to our blessed mother. Let no man or woman interfere in this devotion.

José

Subject: (no subject)
Date: Mon, 19 Mar 2001 14:07:12 EST
From: ErickSerrato@cs.com
To: Jose_Villegas@email.msn.com
CC: almalopez@earthlink.com

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

Subject: Re: Cyber Arte Exhibition Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2001 09:02:01 -0800 From: "Lindsey Haley" <lindsey-haley@ci.santa-monica.ca.us> To: almalopez@earthlink.net, alma310@yahoo.com

Aye Chingao Alma, en que te metiste mujer? I meant to call you and tell you that a friend of a friend who was at the opening night reception for your exhibit loved your work and said that it created quite a buzz (a good one) and that several people loved your work also. I plan to write the letters of support that you're requesting and will email your message to others. Will speak with you soon.

 

Subject: Re: [18thStreetTalk] Cyber Arte Exhibition Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2001 09:16:17 -0800 From: Nadia Reed <QueeneMUSE@aol.com> Reply-To: 18thstreettalk@topica.com To: 18thstreettalk@topica.com

Wow Alma, good gosh!

As a descendant of North American Indigenous people, and as a feminist, I just got to tell you that guy was a really scary asshole. Christians in the Pacific Northwest were far less murderous than the missions were down here, but still we have a saying - what killed the all the Indians?
the three B's.

The Bible, The Bottle and the BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs)

For him to proudly call vengeful Catholic guilt an 'Indian' value really shows how far apart the ancestors' children have gone.

Thanks for sharing this with the list. Please privately e-mail me and tell me what kind of letter I can prepare, I am happy to be of service to you. Nadia

Subject: FW: Cyber Arte Exhibition Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2001 10:21:20 -0700 From: Frederick Nunn <fmn@u.arizona.edu> To: almalopez@earthlink.net CC: tmnunn@moifa.org

AL,

For obvious reasons (check the surname), I'll not be sending a message to Villegas, but I want you to know that you (and the curator) have my unconditional support.

As a collector, an academic (with some experiences with similar controversies), a former resident of New Mexico (northern), a Latin Americanist (with a better grasp of history than Villegas), and a card-carrying Anglo Protestant (with a far better grasp of all the religious issues than Villegas), I find this an anti-feminist, authoritarian, chauvinistic, preposterous, bigoted, reactionary, and almost perverse attack on an entirely legitimate genre.

You are to be commended for your art as well your moderation in replying to this attack. I can hardly wait to see the whole show!

Andale,

FM Nunn

Subject: Re: Cyber Arte Exhibition + Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2001 23:09:51 -0800 From: Juana Alicia Montoya <texcali@pacbell.net> To: almalopez@earthlink.net

Diosa mía Alma. what a gorgeous and life-affirming imagen. gracias.
Others have already eloquently voiced the solidarity I share with you.
Keep on mending the divide between body and spirit, girl!
Juana Alicia

Subject: Don\'t Give Up!!!
Date: Sat, 24 Mar 2001 18:47:46 -0500 From: Diana Laura <ojoscafe@barriolife.com>

i saw in the news about your work of art of La Virgen. Honestly i think that people are overreacting. As an art lover and former Catholic i belive what you did is not disrespectful. This piece of art is YOUR point of view of what a mexican woman is or feels. I use to believe in LA VIRGEN DE GUADALUPE, i understand how you put those feeling on your work. we were raised with that image of what a woman should be and guadalupe is , kind, beautiful, caring, loving. and only women could feel close to la virgen because of course shes woman and only she would understand our pains. but i believe the catholics (especially the priests) are using you as a scapegoat. why don’t they see past the image. why haven’t they asked what it means to you and understand that is what you feel. that you are not trying to change an image of their virgen. Honestly at this point in time the Catholic church is losing many members for different reasons, and one is that people sometimes don't think on their own. Right now the priests are using you to get their members pumped up.

Subject: Santa Fe Date: Sat, 24 Mar 2001 22:19:06 -0700 From: Jane Sauer <jsauer@cybermesa.com> To: almalopez@earthlink.net

I think the pieces you have in the CyberArt exhibit are wonderful and very meaninful. As an artist myself, I am very sympathetic with this struggle against censorship. I hope the museum and Board of Regents will recognize that there is not one hispanic community here with only one voice. There are others who appreciate your work and are interested in exploring what this culture worships and why. They don't object to their views being questioned. Thanks for your contribution to the ongoing dialogue concerning the role of art and artist in this society.

Subject: Saludos Desde LA Date: Sun, 25 Mar 2001 18:04:12 EST From: Susanagato@aol.com To: almalopez@earthlink.net

I saw your Virgen de Guadelupe for a brief moment on TV shown only as it related to the controversy. What I saw, I really liked.

Subject: Guadalupe Date: Sun, 25 Mar 2001 19:16:55 -0800 From: "Connie Mississippi" <mzippi@attglobal.net> To: <letters@sfnewmexican.com> CC: <almalopez@earthlink.net>

The article in Saturday's "New Mexican" titled "Art or abomination?"
portrays an outcry which smacks of censorship. Although members of our community may not like the way Ms. Alma Lopez depicted "Our Lady", she had every right according to the First Amendment of our Constitution, which gives to all of us the freedom of speech, to create the work and for the Museum of International Folk Art to exhibit it. Certainly the church and its members are entitled to protest, again under the First Amendment, but does it not breech the divide between Church and State when members demand the dismissal of the museum's staff, i.e., its Director, Joyce Ice and the Museum of New Mexico's Director, Tom Wilson?

As an artist and a citizen of Santa Fe, I trust that the Museum, its Board of Regents, and the State Cultural Affairs Department will hold firm in their position that they have a right to exhibit Ms. Lopez's work, and will not be swayed by the recent controversy.

Meanwhile, State Senator Roman Maes's statement that "the National Endowment for the Arts was destroyed by a few artists and a few other unbending bureaucrats," is an exaggeration and overstatement. The National Endowment for the Arts is very much alive and has been doing extraordinary fine work for the arts in this country.

Connie Mississippi