MEXICO from the Collection of SFMOMA
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THE HAGGIN MUSEUM BULLETIN Quarterly Newsletter for Museum Members Vol. XVIII, No. 2 • Spring 2015 PHOTOGRAPHY IN MEXICO from the Collection of SFMOMA INSIDE THIS ISSUE April 16 - June 14, 2015 Photography in Mexico...............page 2 The Haggin McKee Legacy.........page 6 1st & 3rd Thursdays....................page 5 PHOTOGRAPHY IN MEXICO from the Collection of SFMOMA When the San Francisco Museum motivated Mexican of Modern Art closed its doors in photographers to June of 2013 to undergo a three year pursue the medium’s expansion project, “SFMOMA on the artistic possibilities; go” was launched. The unprecedented their influence helped program is aimed at presenting provide Mexican exhibits throughout California while photographers with the Museum’s expansion is under confidence that art way. Photography in Mexico is part photography was a of a statewide tour drawn from viable path. Hence, SFMOMA’s internationally acclaimed the exhibition opens photography collection. Since 2013, with a selection Photography in Mexico has traveled to of works made in the Bakersfield Museum of Art and Mexico by Modotti the Sonoma County Museum. The and Weston during Haggin Museum is the tour’s final the 1920s and 1930s. venue. One of the Mexican Featuring approximately 75 photographers photographs, Photography in Mexico encouraged by reveals a distinctively rich and diverse Modotti and Weston tradition of photography in Mexico. was Manuel Álvarez The show begins with works from the Bravo, who went medium’s first artistic flowering in on to become one of the wake of the Mexican Revolution the most influential (1910–20) and goes on to explore the photographers Graciela Iturbide, La Nuestra Señora de las Iguanas, Juchitán, Oaxaca, explosion of the illustrated press and teachers in the México (Our Lady of the Iguanas, Juchitán, Oaxaca, México), 1979; at midcentury, the documentary country’s history, Collection SFMOMA, gift of the artist; © Graciela Iturbide investigations of cultural traditions as well as a key and urban politics that emerged in figure in the broader photojournalism, contributing to the the 1970s and 1980s, and more recent international history of the medium. numerous illustrated publications in considerations of urban life and In considering Álvarez Bravo’s circulation during this period. In the globalization. career, the exhibition illuminates the decades following the Revolution, As arts and culture flourished in birth and development of a tradition there was great interest in traditional Mexico after the Revolution, many of art photography in Mexico. ways of life and in defining what European and American artists In mid-20th-century Mexico, as it meant to be Mexican. Some were drawn to the country. Among in the United States and Europe, photographers, such as Manuel them were Edward Weston and Tina earning an adequate income Carrillo, created images documenting Modotti, who arrived in Mexico in as an art photographer was an the nation’s traditions and celebrating 1923. Inspired by what they saw unlikely proposition. Instead, many its common people. Others, like there, Weston and Modotti in turn photographers made a living through Héctor García and Rodrigo Moya, rejected this sentimental approach, focusing instead on contemporary ON THE COVER: concerns and the political and social LEFT: Alejandro Cartagena, Business in a Newly Built Suburb in Juárez, from the series turbulence that continued to influence Suburbia Mexicana, 2009; Collection SFMOMA, Accessions Committee Fund purchase; post-revolutionary Mexican life. © Alejandro Cartagena The late 1960s and 1970s saw the TOP RIGHT: Nacho López, Constructores de ataúdes, Calle Nonoalco, Ciudad de México (Coffin Manufacturers, Nonoalco Street, Mexico City), 1959; Collection SFMOMA, Accessions Committee rise of critical theory and a new Fund purchase; © Estate of Nacho López interest in investigating the nature BOTTOM RIGHT: Lourdes Grobet, Ponzoña, Arena Coliseo, ca. 1983; Collection SFMOMA, gift of photography as a medium; in of Jane and Larry Reed; © Lourdes Grobet Mexico as elsewhere, there were more The Haggin Museum Members Bulletin 2 April-June 2015 opportunities to study photography recorded the details of their daily landscapes and toward the cities and and to pursue noncommercial projects. lives; Grobet focused on wrestling and suburbs where many Mexicans now A number of Mexican photographers, the cultural concept of the mask; Ortiz live. The exhibition closes with works such as Lourdes Grobet, Graciela Monasterio captured gritty, dystopian by Alejandro Cartagena, Pablo López Iturbide, Pedro Meyer, and Pablo views of Mexico City. Luz, Daniela Rossell, and Yvonne Ortiz Monasterio, created extended Since the 1990s, the attention of many Venegas that reflect this interest in the documentary series. Iturbide lived Mexican photographers has turned changing social landscape, looking at among indigenous people and away from cultural traditions and rural wealth and class, urbanization and land use, and the effects of the globalized economy. The exhibition draws extensively on recent gifts from Los Angeles collectors Daniel Greenberg and Susan Steinhauser. Exhibition texts are presented in English and Spanish. Photography in Mexico from the Collection of SFMOMA is organized by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. The exhibition is made possible by a grant from The James Irvine Foundation and by Bank of America. Oscar Fernando Gómez Rodríguez, Untitled from The Windows Series, 2008-2010; Colec- tion SFMOMA; © Oscar Fernando Gómez Rodríguez On the 2nd Saturday of each month, we hold a hands-on event for families with for Families children ages 5-12. Activities include art projects, interactive programs and museum wide events. Reservations are not required, but seating is available on a first come, first served basis. The museum supplies all materials for the projects at these events. Contact the Education Department (209) 940-6315 or [email protected] for more information. 2nd Saturdays for Families programming is generously underwritten by Joan W. Diehl. MYSTERY MIRA, MIRA, WHO LIVES IN YOUR TRIP LOOK! FAMILY TREE? Saturday, April 11 Saturday, May 9 Saturday, June 13 1:30-3:00 p.m. 1:30-3:00 p.m. 1:30-3:00 p.m. Pick up a special bag when you Eyes and hands will be busy today. Your family tree has branches that enter the museum and follow the This festival of activities in celebration spread far and wide. The special instructions inside. You’ll be guided on of the Photography in Mexico exhibit exhibit Fortunes & Family: The Haggin an insider’s trip around the museum will explore how people see the McKee Legacy will inspire you to think with activities and crafts to do and world and offer fun ways for kids and about your own family. We’ll have take home. families to share their perspectives. materials, ideas and a lot of fun! The Haggin Museum Members Bulletin 3 April-June 2015 MUSEUM NEWS REMEMBERING EDIE JONES Valuable store volunteer and friend of the MSA, Edith “Edie” Jones passed away December 15, 2014. Edie had been involved with the store since its early days, some 24 years. She was well-known in the Museum and developed a lively reputation. At times she was a “force to be reckoned with,” and sometimes “a pistol,” but all were certain those traits fueled her work ethic and commitment to the Museum. Her loyalty was fierce -- that’s how she operated and that’s how she got things done. Those who knew her witnessed her warmth. Museum Store Auxiliary V.P.’s Belen Koch (left) and Edie’s passion for tradition and by the book approach to her various Dianne LaRue presented CEO Tod Ruhstaller with positions and undertakings (especially the annual Mad Hatter’s Tea a check at the auxiliary’s February board meeting. Party) kept the auxiliary organized and the members on their toes. Few The check was donated from profits earned at the like her remain and the auxiliary is truly indebted to her. Museum Store in 2014. DELTAFUSION 2015 DeltaFusion is back for its fifth year! Giant puppets, original music and scores of community performers come together to celebrate the stories that bind us as a community to the riches of Stockton and the San Joaquin Delta region. DeltaFusion was honored to be featured in Annie Hughes’ TEDxLivermore presentation in September of 2014. Eight young participants took the stage to share the story of how Koi Became a Dragon. DeltaFusion organizers invite students age six and up to join this summer’s workshops. Classes will be held at University of the Pacific’s Theater Arts Building in mask making, puppetry, movement and storytelling Giant puppets and celebrants of all ages take part in DeltaFusion 2014, “Weaving over a three-week period, culminating Tales with a Common Thread.” The annual festival and pageant celebrates the diverse in a festival and pageant in beautiful heritage of Stockton and the San Joaquin Delta region. Victory Park on Saturday June 27. The festival, starting at 5 p.m., required. Call (209) 940-6315 or email Victory Park [email protected] to includes food, craft, informational Earth Day Festival booths and vendors. It also showcases sign up. More details are available at cultural, dance, and musical groups deltafusionstockton.com. Sunday, April 26 representing the cultural variety Stop by the DeltaFusion table! found within our geographical area. Workshop Information The pageant begins at 6 p.m. as we Monday-Friday, June 8-26 Festival & Pageant come together to tell a new story of where we are and why we came here. 1:30-3:00; ages 6-12 Saturday, June 27 Participation in the workshops is free 3:30-5:30; ages 13+ 5:00-7:00 p.m. but enrollment through The Haggin at University of the Pacific in Victory Park Museum’s Summer Art Workshop is The Haggin Museum Members Bulletin 4 April-June 2015 st 1& rd with Food & Drink Complimentary3 wine from Weibel Family Vineyards & Winery and snacks courtesy of the Junior Women’s Group will be available beginning at 6:30 p.m.