De Colores, ¡Presente!
With this art exhibition; cultural diversity, achievement and presence of a vibrant heritage is celebrated! Latinx have contributed, endured, and confronted challenges towards inclusion and equity in the United States.
Despite the challenges of racial discrimination against a diaspora of black, brown, and indigenous people who make up a significant amount of the population, Latin Americans have been here, thriving! Held together with resilience and strength, their contributions to art, music and culture, science and education, social justice, and labor and civic leadership have shaped and enhanced the fabric of America. Along with migrant stories and values, cultural traditions have been carried over political borders and re-invented as generations of Latinx multiply, moving from minority to majority.
De Colores, !Presente!, an exhibition curated for Hispanic Heritage Month for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, is a celebration of the diversity that makes up this intercultural population. From Afro-Caribbean dances to Meso-American folklore, symbols of migration, messenger and warrior spirits, representation of civic leaders and organizers, this exhibition intends to represent a localized history of the Latinx experience. With this selection of Latinx artists from Los Angeles, this exhibition seeks to acknowledge the land and on which LADWP is situated, along with the surrounding areas in relation to Hispanic cultural and political histories and achievements. These artistic renderings acknowledge generations of migrant and labor movements, land and displacement stories, justice and the vibrant colors of culture and success that are also present.
The title reflects themes offered by LADWP employees, one of which references the famous Mexican song, "De Colores” (Of Colors), to capture the myriad of cultural diversity of Hispanic heritage. ¡Presente! (We are here or present), calls out to the stories of activism, social justice and the civil rights marches and movements towards collective and self-determination. ¡Presente! is also a term used to honor ancestors during Dia De Los Muertos/Day of the Deadcelebration/ceremonies. Through call and response, the name of the deceased ancestor is called out loud and loved ones respond ¡Presente! As a way to remember, to honor life, and to acknowledge eternal presence!
In consideration of the Latin American diasporic roots and ancestral lands, you are invited to contribute to the participatory map to mark your presence and places of origin as a collective reflection of the Latinx diaspora.
Featured artworks by: Álvaro D. Márquez, Barbara Carrasco, Contra Tiempo, Eloy Torrez, Felix Quintana, JEM, LiliFlor, Linda Vallejo, Margaret Garcia, Miyo Stevens-Gandara, Narsiso Martinez, Omar Ureta, Rosanna Esparza Ahrens, Teresa Flores, Votan Henriquez, Wayne Perry
Thank you LADWP Board of Commissioners, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Reprographics, contributing artists and the following lenders:
AltaMed Art Collection, Charlie James Gallery, Modern Multiples and Self Help Graphics
Installation and support: Daniel Caballero, Josh Vasquez, Josiah O’ Balles, Richi Panta, Tom Rosenquist, Shirley Villalobos, Abel Salas, Sunshine Anderson and Eddika Edule Organista.
Curated by: Joy A. Anderson & Summer Bernal
DWP Headquarters, Los Angeles, CA | October 2023