Cheech To Moderate Xicano Exhibit

Los Angeles, CA, USA United States of America

Pharmaka is pleased to announce a guest curated show “Xicano Demiurge”. This exhibition opens Thursday, October 12th from 6-9 pm and will run through November 30th. Featuring works by Rolo Castillo, Maria Elena Castro, Alexis Disselkoen, Camille Rose Garcia, Alexandra Gonzales, Andres Janacua, Dave Kawano, Alma Mota, Leora Olivas, Jacobo Ramirez, RETNA, Albert Reyes, Guadelupe Rodriguez, Sonia Romero, Shizu Saldamando, Lorenzo Hurtado Segovia, Yesenia Soliz, Armando H. Torres, Melissa Melly Trochez, Jaime GERMS Zacarias, and Brenda Zamora. This exhibition was curated by Richard Duardo, Francesco X. Siqueiros and Armando H. Torres. Xican@ Demiurge” will also include a panel discussion event; Sunday, November 5th, 2pm and 4pm at downtown location (TBA). Moderated by Cheech Marin and Richard Montoya.

Art that is innovative and aggressive in its approach is critical to developing a contemporary aesthetic that is representative of the 21st Century Xican@ artist. The cultural climate influencing this particular group today is not the same as the one that triggered “El Movimiento Chicano” of the 1960’s. In light of this, the work featured in “Xican@ Demiurge: An Immediate Survey” is an attempt by it’s curators to reposition “Xicanism@” as a viable genre in which any artist influenced by our community can participate. The twenty-one artists collected here (affectionately referred to as “Los Inbetweens) are a dynamic group whose work, which is as varied and expressive as the city of Los Angeles, initiates a compelling and alter-Native dialog.

This exhibition and related programs at Pharmaka Art are supported in part by the Dale and Edna Walsh Foundation and the Joelson Foundation, Gilmore Associates and the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles.

PHARMAKA is a Greek word that means to paint or an artist’s colors. It also means a poison or remedy. The name was chosen because its roots are in ancient Greece, the cradle of Western civilization, and it speaks to the duality inherent in all things. PHARMAKA Art has been incorporated as non-profit, and will also include exhibitions that might otherwise fall into the void between commercial Galleries and Museums. Respected curators and a variety (including internationally acclaimed artists) will be invited for curatorial collaborations.