Mujeres De Maiz

My friend Erika invited me out to and Art Show and Performance by Mujeres de Maiz. Las Mujeres de Maiz claim "Good Art is Good Medicine." Somos Medicina (We are Medicine) speaks to the indigenous tradition of art as medicine. It is the offering of ancestral teaching and the medicine of memory in visual form, to a community in dire need.

The event was held at the Self Help Graphics & Art in East L.A. It was cracking when we got there! It gave me much joy in seeing the community out in full force to support our local women artist. The evening began in the gallery with works of art by Nayeli Guzman, Poli Marichal, Linda Vallejo, Timoi, and Emilia Garcia to name a few. Definitely check them out! These are some very talented women! The energy was inspirational!!!


There was also a performace which featured different women artist through different mediums. The first performers were Yei Tecpati. As they state on their MySpace, together they form Yei Tecpatl two mujeres guerreras. Practicing and living our traditional ways from Mexico. Through the education and preservation of not only things like Danza & Music, but also, artistry, history, philosophy, spirituality, language, Medicine, Ceremony,and above all Canos del Corazon! Together as Indigenous People of this land, we can regain what is rightfully ours, Our Pride, strength, knowledge, dances, philosophies, language, music, customs and beleifs. All in the education, understanding and acceptance of our Native Culture. Mexica Cihuatl style!


The next group of women that captured my joy were In Lak Ech. They are performance poetry and song collective of Xicana multi-media artist, writers, students uniting to tell Her-story through poetry. They used a huge drum and had my spirit dancing on the ceiling!!! They also had their babies on stage (not really babies) and the little girls were singing the songs!! It was so beautiful! They sang of empowering and awakening the goddess within, or rather, that's what I got from them.


The next performer was a poet who used spoken word as her medium. She is Gabriela Garcia Medina All I can say is she was awesome!!



The next performers were a group of 3 women who go by the name Butchlalis de Panochtitlan.BdP, for short, is a sketch-driven performace/installation/video ensemble that maps Los Angeles on racialized female masculine bodies. They are funny and funny to watch!!! They had me cracking up!!! Do check them out!!



Las 'Manas performance style is a mix of theater, spoken word, and movement. They did an awesome performance about MySpace and how we need to connect in person, eye to eye, face to face.




Closing the show was Lynnix. She ended the show with a prayer. A prayer which required us to anounce out loud and proud, "Universe, I reclaim what was mine since the beginning." Such a strong and powerful statement! I was inspired and grateful to be in the midst of such inspirational women!



Please check out all the above artist! Each and every one will inspire you in a different way! We can all use inspiration and above all, love. I felt so much love at the event last night, it is indescribable. Check out the calendar for Mujeres de Maiz. There is some awesome upcoming events!!!

Love one, love all.