The American Guëy
DAVID ALCANTAR
The right of self determination is foundational to the human experience just as the vote for representation is central to American democracy. A vote not cast is power and agency forfeited to the active participants that decide about governance and legislation. Democracies are fragile constructs, requiring constant vigilance and participation is the price. Superman is an ideal advocate for participation in our own governance. His narrative, being one of the last surviving refugees of a doomed homeland, highlights the preciousness of a free society, buttressed by the faith of the citizenry in one another but constantly threatened by figures who insist that their pursuit of power is done out of righteousness. “The American Güey” is a mural rendered in the style of classic political posters and street murals, leveraging the iconography, mythology, and the seemingly inextricable bond this country has with Superman as a direct call to action for people to exercise their true righteous power of the vote. This mural is a significant gesture in anticipation of the presidential and congressional elections later this year. With the context surrounding this election described as existential by both sides of a polarized electorate, it is not surprising to witness people desperate for a savior or a champion of their cause. This mural, along with the rest of the Superman Project of which it is a part, hopes to highlight that the power and heroism that people are seeking is actually their own.
cactusBARN is an independent artist run exhibition space that is located in the King William neighborhood @ 613 Mission Street, SATX. It can be visited by appointment.
cactusBARN is an extension of cactus bra SPACE. What is cactus bra SPACE, you ask? It was the artist studio of Leigh Anne Lester and Jayne Lawrence that became an exhibition space in 1993 and had exhibitions for 19 years. They put the bra away in 2012. Leigh Anne and Jayne each pursued their own studio practices and kept feeling the phantom strap of the bra. Bounce to 2023, and now we have cactusBARN.
bitti's GAMPREL is a public exhibition space located on the outside of cactusBARN. You can drive by, walk by, bike by, helicopter by, or drone by to see the installation on the BARN/GAMBREL. No appointment necessary.
Please email with any questions: Leigh Anne Lester and Jayne Lawrence at info@cactusbraspace.com.
Opening Reception: March 1st, 5-8pm
Closing Reception: May 3rd, 5-8pm
On view by appointment: March 2 - May 4, 2024
Gallery Website: www.cactusbarn.org
Artist Website: www.angelaguerrawalley.com
Instagram: @cactusbarn2023 @davidmalcantar