Opening Night--Queretaro Museum: "CARumba!" and "LONAmiento"

The opening of my photography show at the Museum of the City of Queretaro on December 16 was a blast. Two busloads of friends came along for the ride. We had wine, popcorn, and chocolates en route. The buses got lost, and we ended up far from the museum. Then we got lost trying to find our way through the streets, so I was almost an hour late to my own opening.

But it was a thrill for me to see such a large show of my work in a museum (a beautiful colonial ex-convent) with so many friends in attendance. There were six openings at the museum that night, so there was a lively crowd. Walking back to bus, we passed through the stunningly decorated squares of the historic center--one with a towering tree, dozens of hand-crafted tin lanterns, and angels; and another that is famous for its devil theme--though the meaning of the flamingos interspersed among the crouching and menacing devils eluded me.

Here are some photos, taken by my pals Roger Brudno and Carol Jackson; and a video of the event shot by the talented alTirado, edited by the ever-patient and savvy Roger Brudno. For me, a night to remember!

Museo de la Ciudad Guerrero 27 Nte Centro Historico Queretaro Tues-Sun 10-6
Show continues through January 31, 2010

"CARumba!" and "LONAmiento" at Museum of the City of Queretaro

Two exhibitions of my photos will be on view at the The Museum of the City of Queretaro from December 16, 2009 (opening from 8-11 pm) through January 31, 2010.

The first show, "CARumba!," depicts the rusted, scraped, dented and much-repainted cars that ply the streets of San Miguel. Shot close-up, they first look abstract, until you notice the details of the car door handle, or a chrome strip. Shots of the car interiors document the mixed bag of sacred and profane items that typically hang from rear-view mirrors here: images of saints and Guadalupe, rosaries, pine-tree-shaped air fresheners, mininature stuffed animal mascots of every description, parking permits. Taken through closed windows, these shots also overlay multiple reflections from the street outside. I'm also showing four paintings based on the car exteriors as part of this exhibit.

"LONAmiento," in the second gallery, documents another of my ongoing photo obsessions: the colorful tarpaulins (lonas) that hang over the open markets, shape-shifting and overlapping and changing color as the wind moves through them. I photographed these photos the first day I visited San Miguel in 2003, and i'm still at it. These photos, too, seem abstract until you notice the ropes from which they are suspended, the rips and folds. "Sailing Through the Market," a video of the tarpaulins moving in the breeze, with music by Gil & Cartas, is a part of this exhibit. Here is a sampling of photos from the exhibition.

Preparing for the show has been intense, stressful and--finally--exciting. I feel like I've been going non-stop for months, with 70+ pieces to select, print and frame, label, pack and then hang at the wonderful Museo de la Cuidad that was once a convent, in the historic center of Queretaro. Then came the details of postcards and publicity and planning the opening (2 buses, popcorn and wine for 80). Friends, and the director and staff at the museum, have been helpful and supportive, in so many ways, every step of the way. As I write this, the opening is two days away. I can hardly wait...

Museo de la Cuidad Guerrero 27 Norte Centro Historico Queretaro
Open Monday through Sunday 10-6