THIS WEEK ON LATINOPIA: MARGARET GARCIA’S UNIVERSAL CITY METRO MURAL, MARGARET GARCIA ON COLOR IN PAINTING, BURUNDANGA BORICUA ON DAY OF THE INVASION AND OF THE CONSTITUTION, AND RICARDO ROMO ON MARGARET GARCIA’S BODY OF WORK.
This week is Margaret Garcia week on Latinopia! We start with we showcase two Latinopia videos featuring acclaimed artist and muralist Margaret Garcia. In the first video we visit the metro station at Universal City Studios located off Cahuenga Boulevard. This is the site of the famous Battle of Cahuenga Pass in 1847. This was during the California part of the Mexican American War. The battle pitted the forces of the United States Army against local troops made up of native born Californios. When the dust had settled, the Californios proved victorious, forcing John Fremont to sign a capitulation on behalf of the U.S. government. Garcia’s mural is made up of four pillars each of which tells a story. The final pillar recounts the victory of the Californios over the American troops. In the second Latinopia video Margaret speaks to interviewer Ricardo Romo about her appreciation of color and how it infuses her work. Check out these cool videos.
And Ricardo’s own take on Margaret and her work is highlighted in his blog. Besides her metro station, Ricardo takes us on a tour of her other vibrantly colorful works.
Also this week, José Umpierre’s Burundanga Boricua returns. This week el Zocotroco comments on the importance of July 25th , the date in 1898 when the United States invaded Puerto Rico and how on the same date many years later, in 1952, the Constitution of Puerto Rico was signed. The Constitution was actually signed July 3rd, but the holiday is celebrated on July 25th. The new Constitution created the autonomous state under which Puerto Rico is rule to this day. We offer El Zocotroco’s observations in English and Spanish signaling the irony of an invasion and Constitution being celebrated on the same day.
Enjoy your week on Latinopia!
Oh no! We just heard that our celebrated musician, singer and accordionist Flaco Jimenez has just passed away. We will feature Flaco and his music on next week’s Latinopia.
Tia Tenopia