This talk will consist of a multimedia presentation on Chicano artivistas (artist/activists) in Eastside Los Angeles neighborhoods and how they have utilized art and creative expression to de-construct power, challenge multiple patriarchal systems, and build community. From renewed hope imaginaries erupt as Chicano artivistas channel the power and practice of music, art, and theatre, as tools of convivencia (deliberate convening). In dialogue with translocal Mexican communities, Chicano artivistas have developed techniques to harness artistic and creative power to transform and rebuild various sectors of their communities such as: food sovereignty, money recycling, self-sustained community services, and artistic networks.
Martha Gonzalez is a Chicana artivista (artist/activist), feminist music theorist and academic who was born and raised in East Los Angeles. A PhD Candidate in the Gender Women Sexuality Studies (GWSS) department at the University of Washington Seattle, Gonzalez is currently finishing a dissertation on Chicano Artivista resistances in East Los Angeles entitled, “Chican@ Artivistas: East Los Angeles Trenches Transborder Tactics.” Gonzalez was awarded a Fulbright Garcia-Robles fellowship (2007-2008). She is a Ford Dissertation Fellow for the 2012-2013 scholastic year, as well as a recipient of the Doman Award for Excellence in Teaching (2011) from the University of Washington, Seattle. Her academic interests in music have been fueled by her own musicianship as a singer and percussionist for East L.A’s Quetzal for the last 17 years. Quetzal has made considerable impact in the Los Angeles Chicano music scene. The U.S. Library of Congress and Kennedy Center extended an invitation to perform and speak in September of 2011 as a part of their “Homegrown” music series. Quetzal’s fifth album “Imaginaries” has been nominated this year for a Grammy under the category for best Latin/Pop Rock and/or Alternative Album.