Project Five: Open Project

For my final project, I want to employ Rasquache aesthetics to stylize collaged still lifes of Chicanx culture, or a collaged self-portrait. Rasquache refers to a particular attitude, often made visible in domestic behaviors or repurposing, widely practiced in low-income Chicanx communities. The term, derived from the Spanish word rascuache, finds its roots in the Nahuatl Indigenous communities, and was initially used as a classist slur to describe the behaviors of poor Mexican-American families. 

It’s presence today, however, holds an embodied sensibility in refashioning economic and social disparities into distinct aesthetics and creative ways of being. Rasquache ventures past ideas of reusing, and gives birth to innovation, through the use of objects deemed as broken or useless. 

The elements I include in my images will include personal objects from my Chicanx background, combined with color-use and craft appliques, either digitally or tangibly, to embellish my image or images with everyday, 'low-collar' craft supplies.

Below I've included some visual inspiration from Latinx artists, who employ some of these elements in their own works.

William Camargo, Chicanx Domestic Still Life #4. Courtesy the Artist.

Gabriel Garcia Roman, Dorian, Photogravure w/ Chine-Colle and silkscreen, 15in x 18in. 2019. Courtesy the Artist.

Lucia Hierro, Mangucito, Digital print on brushed nylon, felt & foam. 2018. Photo by Matt Eaton. 

David Zamora Casas, El Burro Siempre Regresa al Trigo.