I'm a cutter . . .

of images.  Lately I have been spending my nights and weekend cutting up images of the most random things.  You name it ... snakes, lips, eyes, cocks, Madonna... anything really.  I take pictures as I go.  It may not looks like alot but trust me I am gearing up to make alot of work in the up coming weeks.  Maybe I am preparing for the cold New York winter that's coming our way.  My pre-hibernation preparation. As some of you know, theses New York winters are lasting longer and longer each year.  I don't recall them as cold or as long when I was a kid.  Nonetheless, here or some pics of what I have been cutting...

Modern Day Saints . . . 1 down, 13 to go

            For the past few months I have been doing research on the role that female superheroes have in pop culture.  Right now we live in a time where the role of the average women is evolving and its being reflected in film and TV.  I want to funnel that into an installation involving 14 panels in a ritual setting. More on that to come later.

            Everyone knows I am a huge fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer but there are many more women like her that need to be acknowledged.  Instead of making a list (I love making lists) I think it would be fun-er to show you what and whom I am working on.  I will post images of the progress as I go along.  So far I have one panel done.  13 more to go:

 

A few things I have stolen . . . and learned . . .

Documenting my thievery is not the best idea for a number of reasons.  With that said I am going to simply post image of items I have “collected” in the name of art.  

Take a look ...

 

What do you call that thing on top of a cab? Whatever it's called, I got one. 

Lesson learned: It's always good to have a look out.

 

Some shops are embedding the security alarm inside the little paper tag.  

Lesson learned: It's impossible to feel and apparently I can still out run a middle aged security guard.

 

This product taste like shit but I like the logo. 

Lesson learned: Keep the logo and give the product away.

 

I have less then a yard of this AMAZING Louis Vuitton fabric left.  I got it a few years ago when I had more fashion connections.  Lesson learned: Don't shit where you eat.

 

This one took some plotting.  But I was able to get it in the cover of darkness. 

Lesson learned: Dressing up as a Latino stereotype can be useful in order to blend in.

 

I love Coca Cola! I got this at a gas station near by.  I used the classic black umbrella trick to walk away with this long sign.  Lesson learned: Props are great!

After a long week in the studio . . .

A couple of days ago I locked myself in my apartment (not literally) and began collageing the fuck out of these new 7 Foot panels I had made.  Needless to say time flew by and I wanted to document what I am doing before I forget.  I have a terrible sense of memory and direction.  I may have been dropped on the head a few too many times as a kid. Check out my surroundings….

 And I love snakes . . .

El Museo del Barrio + Day of the Dead = Juan Hinojosa

A few weeks ago I got an email from someone at El Museo asking if I would create an installation for the Mexican holiday called The Day of the Dead.  As a non-Mexican, I was surprised and took it as an opportunity to challenge myself. I was asked to use La Catrina, which is pretty much a life size skeleton, and have her be the focus of the installation I was about to create.  (To read up about the history of La Catrina check out this wikipedialink here) I, like any artist with an iPhone, started to document the process of making this dead woman come alive.   

First step was bringing her home from 105 and 5^th ave to Sunnyside, Queens. I had to take the 6 train to the N train and then on the 7train... not the easiest task during the 6pm rush home. La Catrina decided to make some friends on the subway . . .

At first I thought they were going to mug or rape me . . . but unfortunately they were nice and only wanted to pose for pictures. Once in my studio, I hung her up by the neck and started working on her for a number of days.  Plus my BBF stopped by to drink my wine and help me out. Check out the photos…

The finished piece is on display from now till Nov 15^th at El Museo delBarrio.  There will be a “Meet the Artist” event in a month or so.  I’ll post more information about that soon.  Checks out La Catrina the next time your uptown. Oh and don’t forget to check out the (S)Files exhibition currently on display… I hear the installation in El CAFÉ is pretty cool.

In a city like New York . . .

It is sometimes important to look away from your iPhone and notice what’s around you.  I have lived in Sunnyside (Queens) for a little over 4 years now and I have only now started to look around.  The following are random images of Sunnyside and the rest of New York.  My city.  My home.

my friends ...

Two of my good friends have started blogging about their obsession with food.  They are pretty funny and pretty obsessed.  As a foody myself I can see why.  Check them out ....

http://www.500sandwiches.com

http://ijustliketoeat.blogspot.com/