Yucatecan Art History Workshop
From Iconographic Imaginary to the Neo Maya
Dates: October 7, October 14, October 21, October 28, November 4
Time: 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Synopsis: Explore the rich tapestry of Yucatecan art history in this engaging lecture series. Begin with an in-depth look at the iconographic imagery that has shaped the region’s artistic heritage, tracing its evolution through the centuries. Transition into the Neo Maya movement, examining how contemporary artists reinterpret and innovate upon traditional motifs. This journey highlights the transformation from historical symbols to modern expressions, revealing the dynamic interplay between past and present in Yucatecan art.
October 7 - Yucatecan Iconography: From the Illustrations of Catherwood to the Pedro Guerra Photography Archive
Synopsis: Journey through Yucatan’s visual legacy as we examine iconic imagery from the detailed illustrations of Frederick Catherwood to the evocative photography of Pedro Guerra. Discover how these artistic representations have shaped and reflected the region’s identity.
October 14 - A New Century Was Born: The Feminist Movement of Elvia Carrillo Puerto and the Music of Guty Cárdenas
Synopsis: Explore the dawn of a new era with Elvia Carrillo Puerto’s groundbreaking feminist movement and the soulful music of Guty Cárdenas. This lecture highlights the intersection of social change and artistic expression in early 20th-century Yucatan.
October 21 - The Neo Maya Art Movement: Architecture and Art during Post-Revolution Mexico
Synopsis: Uncover the Neo Maya Art Movement’s impact on architecture and visual arts in post-revolutionary Mexico. Analyze how this movement reimagined indigenous heritage through modernist lenses, blending tradition with contemporary design.
October 28 - The Writers That Shaped Modern Yucatan: From Antonio Mediz Bolio to Roldán Peniche Barrera
Synopsis: Delve into the literary contributions of influential Yucatecan writers, from the pioneering Antonio Mediz Bolio to the contemporary Roldán Peniche Barrera. Discover how their works have defined and transformed modern Yucatecan literature and identity.
November 5 - From Expressive Figurativism to Edgy Abstraction: A Journey through Castro Pacheco and Gabriel Ramírez
Synopsis: Embark on a captivating exploration of art as we traverse from expressive figurativism to daring abstraction. This lecture delves into the artistic journeys of Castro Pacheco and Gabriel Ramírez, examining how Pacheco’s emotive, figurative works evolve into Ramírez’s bold, abstract expressions. Discover how these artists’ distinctive styles illuminate the shifting boundaries of contemporary art, offering a rich narrative of transformation and creative innovation.
At the end of each lecture, students will engage in a creative workshop that reinforces the session’s highlights. Through hands-on activities with soft pastels and a combination of written and verbal exercises, participants will have the opportunity to explore and express their understanding in a dynamic and interactive way.
Cost: All Five Sessions = $3,000 • Four Sessions = $2,500 • Three Sessions = $2,000 • Two Sessions = $1,400 • One Session= $750
Raúl Gasque is a Mexican multidisciplinary artist and art educator who works with performance, abstract expressionism, photography, and text. His practice is a continuous exploration of issues related to storytelling, psychology, human development, and social science from a non-conventional angle.
As an art educator, Raúl Gasque has worked in different environments and institutions. His experience as an art teacher took him to develop workshops at the National Institute of Arts in Mexico, The Peace Nobel Prize Rigoberta Menchú Tum Foundation in Guatemala, Hungkuang University in Taichung, and the Mexican Cultural and Trade Office in Taiwan. Also, Gasque has given conferences in prestigious universities and institutions such as the Asian Center for Journalism of the Ateneo University in Manila, La Hydra in Mexico City, Lightbox Center, and National Chengchi University in Taipei, Taiwan.
This is his third art history workshop at MEL.
