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El Placazo 2021.3 Issue #225
El Placazo 2021.3 Issue #225
B
If you have not yet noticed the enormous hundred-foot
tall mural on the side of the historic Kress Building on
East Houston street downtown, you’re missing out. I had
the pleasure of interviewing the eloquent and charismatic
San Antonio Based Artist, Rudy Marco Herrera, the
creator of the mural titled “The Last Parade.”. It’s
brightly painted on century-year-old bricks that hold
historical significance as the building was one of the Photo Cuauhtli Reyna
first lunch counters in San Antonio to be desegregated. His style influences for this piece are broad but
The mural stands 105’x70’ tall and was commissioned interesting.
by Centro San Antonio’s “Art Everywhere’’ initiative. “I have a bunch of influences. I watched a lot of anime
On Rudy’s team was: Ana Hernandez, Ashley Garza, when I was young, I mean honestly, if you kind of look
and Crystal Tamez, who helped paint; Larry Martinez at it, it’s kind of anime-styled. A lot of times you watch
and Santiago Lopez, aka ‘Slim’ helped document anime and they’ve got the dark-tone, the mid-tone, the
the production journey through videography and light-toned, and the black lines. That’s kind of like the
photography from start to finish. After about a month style I kind of mimicked. You can still get something
of hard work from Rudy and his team, the City of San kind of round, but still keeping it flat. But I have a bunch
Antonio has been given an ornate creation that holds a of influences. As far as muralism, like just the people I
moving message, marking another historic win for the see here. Mary Agnes has been going hard for a while
community. and really conscious about the stuff they put out. It goes
Pictured in the mural is a young indigenous girl with all the way big from Otomo to Akira like those are the
long dark braids and vibrant gold hoop earrings. She is stuff I used to watch when I was young. It’s everything.
on a quest. She maintains a powerful presence mounted You have to take everything into inspiration.”
upon an eccentric blue deer who stands fiercely at the Photo @Cannonkrook87
with it.” Rudy says, “I don’t know how you’ve seen it, A study from University College London found that
edge of a cliff. The girl carries a lantern to navigate the but I’ve seen it affect someone’s quality of life; it doesn’t those who were able to view, analyze, or create art more
deer; together, they hold an energy of perseverance. You matter how big or how high that cliff is, I think in order regularly (every few months or more), had a 31% lower
can see it in the twinkle of the girls’ eyes; she’s been for you to move well with it you have to acknowledge risk of dying early when compared to those who didn’t.
enlightened, hence her third eye. You can see it in the it. That’s kind of what this is. When you jump off this However, not everyone is lucky enough to get to go to
deer as it puffs smoke out of its nostrils which transcend cliff, you don’t know what’s going to happen. It could be a gallery or their favorite singer live; especially, during
into a colorful abstract landscape behind it. The abstract scary.” these economically challenging times. That’s why public
background of neon colors that stem from the smoke the It doesn’t matter what stage of life you’re in; that cliff art is so essential to the well-being of humans. Muralist
deer lays off portrays a world of emotion, almost as if it’s will always be there waiting for you. You can ignore it, like Rudy create art for the people; Rudy put it like this:
what was going on in the deer’s mind. Right at the edge but that leap will set you free. Everyone has a “cliff”. “When I was a little kid, I just always kind of gravitated
of the cliff, behind the feet of the deer, stands an inviting Rudy talks about his experience jumping off the cliff as towards murals. When I was younger, murals inspired
tree. The light pink leaves float like a dreamy cloud as he left the culinary arts and followed his passions as an me. When I was seven years old, I saw a memorial
they motion the deer and girl towards their destiny. Their artist. painting. In my head, I just couldn’t compute it. As far
destiny awaits on the other side of the cliff. Together, “I know artists who had careers already, that they left. as I knew, buckets of paint were for painting over stuff
they will jump off. The cliff is an analogy, honoring They jumped off that cliff to do this. I didn’t make a big or painting a house. I didn’t really know people could
Rudy’s family, his roots, and a message to the dreamers jump, I was a cook. I wasn’t losing much when I stopped do stuff like that—that kind of sparked it all. I always
to become doers. Rudy describes it like this: cooking. But that’s kind of what it’s about.” kind of gravitated towards that. The beauty in it is
Rudy also expressed his love and deep connection for the accessibility. It’s not in a museum. It’s for everybody.
city of San Antonio with this mural. For its culture and Everybody can get it and interact with it. That’s always
for its people. been the draw for it for me. I’m not a gallery artist;
“I wanted to make sure I talked to those people first. I don’t need to push myself in that direction. Like a
San Antonio is a tourist city, the people who have the musician wants to be heard, I want to be seen. I want to
best view of it are probably people from out of town that talk to people; I want to talk to my people. I don’t go to a
are sitting by their pool. But I wanted to make sure I was gallery, so I don’t think the people in the galleries are my
talking to people on their way to the Texan, or the people people. I want you to see something on the way home,
coming through catching the bus. I wanted to speak to something I could drive my kid by, something you could
those people; I still don’t feel far from them. If things look at while wearing shorts. That’s always been the kind
don’t work out for me, I’m still down to pick up a shift of thing that pushed me towards it.”
washing dishes or something; you know what I mean? The first time I met Rudy was for this interview and it
I think there are a lot of people like me who are still was my first time getting a behind-the-scenes as to what
Photo Christopher Denmon willing to do that, and I wanted to make sure I’m talking the mural meant. Initially I saw the mural and loved it for
“San Antonio is so talented, maybe there aren’t enough to them first.” its fun expressive colors and playful attributes. However,
opportunities to showcase it or outlets for that creativity One of my personal favorite parts about this piece is after talking to him and learning about its meaning, I
to go through, you know? So it’s an image of people Rudy’s color scheme paired with the cartoonish character felt encouraged. Suddenly, I had the urge to soul search
marching off a cliff. I’m trying to put across the analogy style. It’s fun, playful, and makes me reminisce back to and reevaluate what I want from this short time we are
that if you’re a creative person, I think at some point the times of Saturday morning cartoons as a kid. given here on Earth. Is the path I’m pursuing fulfilling the
you have to make that step off the cliff. You have to needs of my soul? How can I once again get in touch and
acknowledge that creative part, you have to feed it, devote time to my creative side I have pushed aside for
you’ve got to learn how to move through it throughout things that seemed more important? I shared his words
your life.” with some of my friends, all of whom listened with wide
Behind the girl on the deer, there is a bear-like eyes and open hearts. I could see his message moved
creature chasing after them attempting to stop the jump, them the same way as it did myself, as many of them
“NOOO!!!!” it screams. This is that inner voice in the expressed how badly they needed to hear such advice.
back of your head feeding you doubt. But Rudy stresses Rudy’s final message to the youth was this:
the importance of ignoring that self-doubt and following “If you’re a creative person, I can only say what’s been
your intuition. good for me, but at some point, you need to acknowledge
“We’ve all seen examples of people who suppress their it. If you’re a young individual and you find yourself
creative energy or put so much energy into not dealing drawing in your teens or something like that at some
Photo Cuauhtli Reyna
point, man, you’re going to be late twenties, late thirties
CHECK OUT THE
“I try to keep them pretty colorful. I don’t really and now you know, it’s no longer a hobby. Whether
BOOK OF THE MONTH have a propensity to do realistic things. When I was a you’re successful at it or not, it’s a part of your identity.
from San Anto’s Angela De Hoyos library
kid, I watched a lot of cartoons. There would be whole You have to come to terms with it, and deal with it and
weekends where I stayed inside watching cartoons. see how you’re going to move with it through the rest of
Jo & Rus Dragon Ball Z and stuff like that. That’s my style, I’ve your life. Don’t neglect that part of yourself.”
gravitated towards that. I try to keep it bright, I think it With that, I want to thank Rudy Marco Herrera and
helps keep it inviting to people. Sometimes you’ll walk his team for the reminder to stay in touch with what
by something- it’s happened to me- and it’s these heavy keeps my inner light shining, not
by Audra Winslow
earth tones. Real somber imagery, and it’s like ‘Woah, to neglect any part of myself that
An all-new story about rolling with the punches when
that’s a heavy image!’. But with this, you can look at it makes me who I am, and to fully
life doesn’t go your wayand when you have to stand
your ground, no matter the cost and it gives you the space to be like ‘what is that?’. At the listen to my heart. From the bottom
very least, people will be like ‘all the colors are up there!’ of San Antonio’s heart, thank you
like I got your favorite color up there somewhere!”. for giving us “The Last Parade”.
El Placazo 2021.3 Issue 225 | Page 2
San Anto Cultural Arts - Community Mural & Public Art List
Educación Peace and Remembrance You Are Not Forgotten Respect Your Barrio
2121 Guadalupe St. 1013 S. Trinity St. 1500 W. Commerce 2202 El Paso
Juan Ramos & Cruz Ortiz, Claudio Aguillon, Katy Mike Roman, 2006 Adrianna Cantu, 2014
1994. Restored in 1999 Bone, Angela Ibarra, Julie
Ibarra, Crystal Torres, Brighter Days Bienvenidos al Westside
Familia y Cultura Es Vida Janette Torres, 2001 806 S. Zarzamora Guadalupe St. between S.
1227 El Paso St. Adriana Garcia, 2006 Colorado & S. San Marcos
Juan Ramos & Debbie Nicho Para la Virgen Streets. Kaylee Diaz, 2014
Esparza, 1995. Andy Rivas, de Guadalupe Trinity St.
Restored in 2011 1512 El Paso St. 627 Santiago Visión del Futuro
Mary Agnes Rodriguez & Jose Cosme, 2008 203 E. Fredericksburg Rd.
8 Stages of the Life of a Janie Taberes-Ornelaz, 2001 John Medina, 2014
Chicana All the Difference *3D Glasses (Sculpture)
1303 Tampico St. Carlos Tradicíon y Cultura 623 Pecos St. Casey Cooper, 2014
Espinoza & Cruz Ortiz, 1995. 2121 Guadalupe St. Navarro Academy Students,
Cardee Avila Garcia & Gerry Alex Rubio, 2001 2008 Always Learning
Quetzatl Garcia, Restored in 1300 Delgado St.
2004 Breaking The Cycle La Música de San Anto Adriana Abundis, 2015
626 S. Zarzamora 1303 W. Commerce
Comprando y Prestando Mary Agnes Rodriguez, Ruth David Blancas, 2009 Poder del Muralismo:
1424 Guadalupe St. Buentello, Chris Munoz & Cuentos son Arte
Mary Helen Herrera, 1996. Daisy Tovar, 2002 Consciousness 723 S Brazos St. Gerardo
Ricardo Islas, Restored in 1400 S. Zarzamora Quetzatl Garcia , Cardee Avila
2007 Virgen Indigena Enrico “Caso” Salinas & Garcia, Mary Agnes Rodriguez,
1801 W. Cesar Chavez Blvd Christian Rodriguez, 2010 Juan Miguel Ramos, 2016
Tribute to Martin Luther King Louis Alejandro, Jose Cosme
New Braunfels Street & Jane Madrigal, 2003 Women of the Westside Know Thyself
Bridge. Juan Ramos & Tim 3222 Culebra Road Martinez Street Women’s Center
Jones, 1997 Mosaico de la Virgen de Ruth Buentello & Cristina and Antioch Missionary Baptist
Guadalupe Ordoñez, 2010 Church 2603 E. Houston St. Jane
Basta Con La Violencia 2102 Buena Vista Madrigal and Rabbit Rye 2016
1025 S. Nogalitos Anabelle Rodriguez, 2003 Transformation
Israel “Izzy” Rico, 1997 Piedad 1 Haven For Hope Labor Serena
1204 Buena Vista Gabriel Garcia, 2011 Escuela Magnético-Espiritual de la
Salvación Ruth Buentello, 2003 Comuna Universal 1246 Chalmers
2120 El Paso St. Barrio Wellness St. Marisol Delagarza, 2016
Mike Roman, 1997 La India 2120 El Paso St.
2427 W. Commerce Angel Hernandez, 2012 Legacy of Hope
Leyendas Aztecas Mary Agnes Rodriguez, 2004 1315 N Elmendorf St. Adriana
1201 S. Brazos Taking it Back Abundis, 2016
Israel “Izzy” Rico & Krystal Cultura y Revolución 710 New Laredo Hwy
Gonzales, 1998 1013 S. Trinity Esmeralda Baltazar & Cultivate the Path to Prestige
Raul Valdez, 2004 Ernesto Cuevas Jr., 2012 2427 W Commerce St. Cristal
End Barrio Warfare Arias & Cristal Tamez, 2016
2102 S. Laredo St. Everything for Everyone * Paleta Bike Rack
Augustine “Fugi” Villa & Lisa and Nothing for Ourselves (Sculpture) Where you End and I Begin
El Placazo Newspaper
& Sonny Mendiola, 1998 1300 San Pedro Ave. San Casey Cooper 100-300 Mission Pkw.
John Montez, Restored in Antonio College 2120 El Paso Street, 2013 Jason Eric Gonzalez Martinez &
2010 Jose Cosme, 2005 Michael Tony Ysasi, 2017
Vortex
published by San Anto Cultural Arts since 1994 Mano a Mano Dualidad Nolan Street underpass East Side is Love
San Anto Cultural Arts Staff: 1927 W. Commerce 1327 Guadalupe St. Alex Rubio, August 2013 1416 E Commerce St.
Janette Torres, Juan Victor Ochoa, 2005 Rudy Herrera, Rhys Munroe, Ana
Ramos & Mike Roman, 1999 Alamo Achievement El Cielo Sobre La Loma Hernandez & Jason Eric Gonzalez
Corner of S. Rosillo at St. Patrick’s Community Martinez
Executive Director Flower Power Chihuahua. Alamo Center, 1114 Willow St.
Ben Tremillo 913 S. Brazos St. Achievement Students, 2006 John Medina & City Center Claudia Patricia Gomez Gonzalez
Katy Bone, Samantha Health Careers students, ¡Presente!
Estrada, & Angela Ibarra, Líderes de la Communidad 2014 Maestro Entrepreneur Center,
1999 1204 Buena Vista 1811 S. Laredo St. San Antonio, TX
El Placazo Newspaper Program Coordinator Valerie Aranda, 2006 Rhys Munro, Ana Hernandez
Rudy Herrera, 2018
Cuauhtli Reyna
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Five decades ago Chicano artists, especially college Jesse Trevino, “Zapata.” 1969. Photo of the art in his studio by The research for this essay has demonstrated the need
students, began to express themselves more adamantly Ricardo Romo, 1986. for more studies to document the Chicano Art Movement
through protest art and images of their community. Some as a follow-up on the early works of Jacinto Quirarte
of these artists were inspired by Mexican muralists and Chicano artists were also more politically active than and later that of art historians Carlos Francisco Jackson.
painters, notably Diego Rivera and David Siqueiros, their Mexican American predecessors. By the late 1960s Gary Keller, Constance Cortez, and Ruben Cordova.
who glorified the Mexican Revolution and its heroes. Mexican American artists embraced terms such as La We can also anticipate new influences in the Chicano
Others looked to the street art of Black Power artists who Raza and La Raza Unida. The Raza Unida term was Art Movement as cultural groups associated with Latinx,
introduced new forms of the art of culture and resistance. first used in 1968 to distinguish the political difference for example, begin to emerge and reflect the growing
between Mexican Americans who joined President diversity in our Latino communities.
In San Antonio, a band of young but determined Lyndon B. Johnson in his “War on Poverty” and those
Chicano artists molded a new vision that blended Latino grassroot activists who believed that the president
the art of the post Mexican Revolution era filled was too limited in introducing programs to erase poverty
with Nationalistic imagery with that of American and confront racial injustice in America.
expressionism that placed a high value on emotions and San Anto Remembers an Icon
raising consciosness. For the first time we witnessed When the Mexican American Youth Organization,
the emergence of new Chicano visions that signified a under the leadership of Jose Angel Guttierrez, met near Many amazing Chicano artists have come out of
formal protest of the status quo. Mission, Texas in 1969, the group asked Carmen Lomas San Anto’s Westside whether photographers, aerosol
Garza, then living in San Antonio, to curate an art show artists, muralists, or gallery artists — they all share
Art historians credit the United Farm Workers [UFW] for the participants. The use of the term “Mexican their individual perspective of the Chicano experience
as a major catalyst for the early efforts to utilize art as a American Youth” demonstrates the acceptance of this and lay one more stepping stone in the pathway ahead
means of reaching the general public and educating them ethnic identification in Texas as late as 1969. of us. Every step giving us something to look back on,
about the dire status of Latino farm laborers. Chicano informing our identity as a whole and transforming our
artists in both California and Texas were influenced by By the early 70s, Mexican American artists in San vision as a people.
the labor and political activities of the charismatic labor Antonio had begun to form art groups and art collectives.
leader Cesar Chavez. Following a series of strikes in Cesar Martinez, who had just returned from active duty On May 15, 2021 San Anto lost a legend, but he left
California and a call for a strike in South Texas, artists in the United States Army, participated with both the us with stories, friends, family, and an amazing body
began using the arts to promote La Causa or the struggle Aztlan and Con Safos groups following his move to of work to inspire us. Adán Hernández moved to San
for workers’ rights and better working conditions. San Antonio. Martinez was educated at Texas A&I Antonio from Robstown, Texas, in the early 1960s, along
Kingsville with Amado Pena, Carlos Guerra, Carmen with 9 other children and their parents to make a living
Lomas Garza, and Santa Barraza. as migrant workers.After attending Edgewood High
School he went to San Antonio College on a scholarship
majoring in Art. However he was mostly self taught and
said he didn’t become a serious artist till his 30’s.
El Último Desfile
Una Entrevista con el Muralista Rudy Marco Herrera
Cristina Mauri