Pecha Kucha Night #11 - Josephine St Theater

PECHA KUCHA NIGHT #11

Pecha Kucha, japanese for "chit-chat",began in Tokyo in 2003. The project has since expanded to cities around the globe as an event for young professionals to display their ideas to a like-minded and curious audience.
After making its way to San Antonio, TX in 2011, Pecha Kucha SA is poised for a 12th installment later this year.

Presentations follow a format of 20 slides, displayed for 20 seconds each, exhibiting their work throughout the night at a riveting pace.
Tuesday's event brought together ideas from cocktail bartenders to ceramic art to anthropology in South America.

I had the chance to get a few questions from guest speakers:

Chris Davila - art consultant

Jennifer Ling Datchuk - ceramic artist

Jeremy Mandrell & Anne Ng - brains and brawn of Bakery Lorraine



Community at Large: You clearly display a strong utilization of social media skills. Is this changing the dynamic of interaction in the arts community?

Chris Davila:

CL: Other than reaching you through social media, can you tell us about hosting "The Chris Connection"?

CD:

Community at Large: Your work addresses conflicts of race, domestic issues, etc. Given your diverse ethnic background, how has San Antonio embraced your art?

Jennifer Ling Datchuk: 



CL: Any future exhibits coming up?

JLD: 

Community at Large: Most husband-wife teams working in restaurants can be found in front-of-the-house and back-of-the-house, respectively. What was it like with both of you working in the kitchen at Bouchon?

Bakery Lorraine: 



CL: What are you some of your favorite items on the menu?

BL:



CL: You started out at a farmer's market, working your way up to a brick-and-mortar. What can we expect to come from Bakery Lorraine?

BL: 

• Chris Davila is exhibitions program coordinator at McNay Art Museum 
• Contact Jennifer Ling Datchuk and check out her shop on etsy
• Pecha Kucha Night # 12 will be held on November 19th at the Southwest School of Art
• View past presentations here

graphic courtesy of pecha kucha SA

Mas Rudas presents... Ruda Phat

On display at UTSA's Institute of Texan Cultures...

- Mas Rudas presents Ruda Phat - 

Mas Rudas continues to push boundaries and challenge conventional notions of art, this time finding comfort in the uncomfortable. Ruda Phat is a look at how the female body is represented, examining our perceptions of that portrayal. 

In these realities comes a stark message, a profound reminder in accepting the contours of your physical self.

I had time to speak with the women of Mas Rudas about their identity as a collective, past exhibits, and future endeavors...

Community at Large: As established artists in your own right, what brought you together to express your art collectively?

Mas Rudas:

CL: "Mas Rudas" - can you give us some info on the meaning of the name and what it is to you.

MR: 

CL: Not only are you presenting your perspective as Chicanas, but also bringing a critique of that experience. Would you say that this critique is the motivation or premise for your artwork?

MR: 

CL:  In December, while video recording at the Alamo, you were ejected on terms of your presentation was considered out of the norm.

What was this norm in violation during your performance?

MR:

CL: There is often a divide in Mexican-American culture in regards to California and Texas - Cali-Mex vs. Tex-Mex, Spurs vs. Lakers, etc.

Can you describe your residency experience at Slanguage in LA?

MR: 

CL: In December, you landed an installation titled Brown Style for the Window Works series at Artpace.

With their international artist-in-residence program in the spotlight, how did it feel having your work on display?

MR: 

CL: What's next for Mas Rudas?

MR: 

MAS RUDAS

• ruda phat: Aug 17 - Dec 1
• future curation is scheduled for Mexic-Arte Musuem in Austin at the YLA annual exhibition 2014
• sarah castillo has opened her own LADY BASE gallery @ 1913 south flores
• kristin gamez
• ruth buentello

Bibliotech Opening Fall 2013

BIBLIOTECH - the name itself a refreshing spin on the branding of a public library. A fitting perspective, with the project scheduled to take off in the near future as the nation's first fully-functioning all-digital public library.

Already making headlines on HuffingtonPost, ABCnews, and NPR, San Antonio's south side is eagerly anticipating the official date which has yet to be released.

The library will feature access to 10,000 e-books and a number of databases through the TexShare program which members will be able to browse through PC stations, e-readers, tablets, and laptops.

This past week I found Bibliotech setting up shop during the opening of Seussical: The Musical at the Magik Theatre, promoting their services with an informational pamphlet, coloring sheet, and watermark tattoos for the kids.

I had the opportunity to get some words from them on the project..



Community at Large: What inspired you as a student to pursue library science?

Ashley Eklof: 




CL: After studying library and information science at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, what brings you down to south Texas?

AE:




CL: How did the Bibliotech project come about? Were you all involved from the beginning?

Bibliotech: 




CL: Will there be plans for community engagement or outreach?

BBT:




CL: With Bibliotech being the first, completely functioning public library of its kind, what is getting you excited about next month's opening?

BBT: 




Voices of the BiblioTech staff:

• Ashley Eklof, head librarian
• Laura Cole, project manager
• Catarina Velasquez, branch manager
• Jose Siller, assistant branch manager

Bibliotech will be located at 3505 Pleasanton Road SA,TX 78221 

graphics courtesy of Bexar Bibliotech

Downtown Blog x Diego Bernal

A Downtown Blog Event : A Conversation with Diego Bernal

graphic courtesy of the downtown blog

A first time event hosted at the Filling Station Cafe and Tap Room quickly packed inside with eager citizens in their chairs and latecomers finding standing room only. Olivo and Bernal covered topics on the revitalization of Alamo Plaza, the production of Via's proposed streetcar routes, and development at the Joske's building. Bernal gave his personal input and the city's stance on the issues.

You check out the full conversation here!


I had the chance to ask them both a few questions..

 - Ben Olivo of the Downtown Blog

• Ben Olivo heads the downtown blog at a time when the downtown scene is experiencing rejuvenation. He reports on a number of issues and concerns - from street alignments to restaurant openings to the museum reach - he covers it all.

Community at Large: I've been following the blog since 2010 around the launch of SA2020. When did the site kick off and how long have you been involved?

Downtown Blog:  

CL: Was there a motive or inspiration for reporting on the history, urban planning, and social dynamic of downtown?

DB: 

CL: Any more events or special features that we can expect in the near future?

DB: 

- District 1 Councilman Diego Bernal

• Diego Bernal ran unopposed this year for his seat as district councilman. Be on the lookout for plans of a newly reconfigured San Pedro Springs Park.

Community at Large: After studying sociology and law at the University of Michigan, you returned to San Antonio pursuing music - studio production, live performance, even establishing a record label. What turned you in the direction of working for the city?

Diego Bernal:

CL: With district 1 boundaries extending from Southtown all the way up to the airport you face a unique set of challenges concerning a host of issues. How do these issues define or set you apart as a councilman?

DB:

CL: In collaboration with PASA, you created X Marks the Art which features pop-up art installations in vacant storefronts and properties downtown. With the next round of artists coming up, what can we we expect to see?

DB:

Ben Olivo works and writes for the SA Express-News

Diego Bernal can be found engaging communities all over District 1.