The here and now... and what and why

Complacency is a trap. At least that’s what I was thinking when I up and left the comfort of a Yankee prep school gig, where I taught music, amongst other things, for 28 years. There was also that life long career as a composer, musician and artist.

First, it was a year in St. Thomas, USVI, working as a reporter and shooting photography and then, a year in San Agustin Etla, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Time passed.
More time passed and a year back in the Athens of America followed by a hasty return to Oaxaca where it is all happening.
A couple of years in San Sebastian Etla and now, just down the road in San Pablo Etla. Life is good.

Click on an image to see it larger.
For additional photography please visit my flickr page.
You can find my music on Jango (World & latin - Worldbeat) and at iTunes and most online stores.
¡Soy consciente de todas las tradiciones del Internet!
If you are coming to Oaxaca, please contact me for tours or advice.

Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo
The view from Corazon del Pueblo

The hereafter re me

My photo
Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
Musician, photographer, videographer, reporter, ex-officio teacher, now attempting to be a world traveler

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Alejandro Santiago lives!

"El arte cambia mi comunidad."
"Art changes my community."  This is so true.  One of the things I love most about Oaxaca is that art, in all its many faces, is so public and prevalent, a vital part of the social fabric.  And it does change the city and surrounding villages.  So, on one level, this billboard on the way into the city really resonates.   Art is one of the best parts of life, ever changing and ever stimulating.  However, there is more to this billboard.  The painting is by Alejando Santiago and art really did change his village.
One of his most famous and important works, 2501 Migrantes, told the sad story of his village.  I wrote a few posts about it.  The first, when it was at CASA in San Agustin Etla and another when it came into the city.  It is such a powerful work on so many levels.  It created change.  It certainly changed me and gave me insights.  Sadly, the maestro died at an early age.
 
It is wonderful to see his art displayed so prominently and with such a powerful message attached to it.
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