Artistories

Victoria Westover, Hanson Film Institute Director

Carlos (Xabiani Ponce de Léon) and Gera (José Antonio Toledano) in Esto no es Berlín/This Is Not Berlin (2019)

Santo’s films, while iconic, were beloved by audiences but despised by film critics.

 

In this previously recorded episode (Feb. 14, 2020), we hear from Vicky Westover, Director of the Jack and Vivian Hanson Arizona Film Institute, who talks to us about the Mexican film festival she’s been running in Tucson since 2004; Tucson Cine Mexico.  Tucson Cine Mexico is the longest-running festival of contemporary Mexican cinema in the United States.  We talk about the “exceptional moment” of Mexican cinema that spurred the dream of Tucson Cine Mexico, and turns out to be the gift that keeps on giving. Beyond the “root” of the festival, we talk about the goals for programming, how the festival’s exceptionally diverse audience was and is engaged, and how it became a renown festival among Mexican directors (hint: excellent hospitality).

While the festival couldn’t be held in person this year, Tucson Cine Mexico is launching an Online Catalogue where you can browse through a list of all films from past Tucson Cine Mexico festivals that are available online to rent or stream.

To hear all this and more, listen to the full-length podcast by clicking above! (To listen to the mini program, click below!)

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Victoria-Westover-Mini.mp3

Pictured above: Issac Caruso hard at work on Sam and Sara murals across the state.

In this episode we hear from muralist Isaac Caruso, who tells us all about his magnum opus, the Sam and Sara project; a book illustrated entirely by murals, that you can see in print and visit across the state of Arizona. Isaac talks about bringing the project alive, including concept, execution and funding–and all the adventures and communities along the way (many of which he documents on at the Sam and Sara YouTube Channel). Isaac also tells us a little about his personal and professional trajectory through Arizona and beyond, including his growth from graffiti artist to muralist.

To hear all the good stuff, click above and listen to the full-length podcast. For the mini, click below!

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Isaac-Caruso-Mini.mp3

From Lex Gjurasic’s Flower Mound series

From Lex Gjurasic’s Flower Mound series

From Lex Gjurasic’s Flower Mound series

Lex Gjurasic

Lex Gjurasic

 

In this episode, we hear from artist Lex Gjurasic. We talk about the natural world in her art (specifically, saguaros and flowers), how this Seattleite found her place in the art scene of the old pueblo,  artisan markets (when they are working for you, when they are not), art as coping and joy as the queerest form of resistance. This episode will mentally health you!

Hear about all this and more by listening to the complete podcast above (+ link to the mini below!)

 

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Lex-Gjurasic-Mini.mp3

Annisa with her art

Covid Feelings by Juliana Spaulding

Em Martin Brott

Mateo with his art

Lynn Fleishman’s virtual Explorations in Charcoal

Recording of iPad Procreate class with Barry Dodge. Photo by Tom Bolin.

 

In this episode we hear from Em Martin Brott, Executive Director of The Drawing Studio. Em talks about how The Drawing Studio has been going about diversifying the profiles of people they serve, an “Artivism” class for teens, how artistic creation isn’t just for “artists,” and how drawing is a way of life. Em talks about Andrew Rush’s legacy, The Drawing Studio’s coronavirus pivot and the role of art in these times.

To hear all this and more, listen to the full-length podcast by clicking above! (To listen to the mini program, click below!)

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Em-Brott-Mini.mp3

Sharon O’Brien

Stories That Soar cast with friend Richard Elias

Sharon O’Brien, from the vault

Stories That Soar! performance, with Sharon playing the villain.

 

In this episode we hear from Sharon O’Brien, Artistic Director of Stories that Soar!, a program of Literacy Connects.  Sharon tells us what it has been like to be a child in school visited by Stories that Soar! and how kids can continue to participate online during the pandemic through the newly launched online portal. Sharon tells us about how she and co-founders got Stories That Soar! started and why the program has had such a big impact on the kids involved and their literacy. We also talk about the sometimes surprising subject matter that kids produce in these stories, giving a valuable glimpse into their inner lives.

Listen to the full-length podcast by hitting play above (link to the mini below)!

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Sharon-O-Brien-Mini.mp3

Pictured above; images from Sadie Shaw’s site specific installation at The University of Arizona Marshall Building, her NEGROPHOBIA installation, and her campaign materials.

In this episode of Artistories, we hear from Sadie Shaw, artist and community activist. She talks to us about the Sugar Hill neighborhood and the Sugar Hill Oral History Project for which she received an Arts Foundation grant. When Sadie’s cousin passed away, many of the family’s stories and the neighborhood’s history went with him, compelling Sadie to record the oral histories of others from this historically Black neighborhood, which you can listen to here. Sadie and I also talk about gentrification, and her efforts to establish a Land Trust as the Sugar Hill Neighborhood Association president.  She also talks about the connections between her campaign for a seat on the TUSD Board and her art; intertwined trajectories based on political art, advocacy and community. She talks about her decision to run for this position during a global pandemic and what running a campaign these days looks like. She ends the podcast with a beautiful message for Tucson’s Black youth and everyone who wants to find a way to get involved in their community.

We didn’t have time to talk about it, but here’s a bonus link to Sadie Shaw’s video, Birth of a Nation.

Listen to the full-length podcast by hitting play above (link to the mini below)!

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Saide-Shaw-Mini.mp3

In this episode, Mel Dominguez, visual artist and owner of Galería Mitotera talks about how the gallery came to be, its purpose for South Tucson and the nation-wide arts and culture community, and some of their favorite shows at the gallery–including a powerful tribute to the migrant lives lost in the desert. Mel also talks about growing up in Los Angeles and their artistic trajectory, moving to Tucson in 2007, working as a tow-trucker and the impression they got–here’s a hint, The Walking Dead is mentioned! Mel also tells us about their upcoming dreams involving SpaceX and the #dearMoon project. We close with Mel’s message to nonbinary, trans and LGBTQ youth in general, but to catch all that good stuff you have listen to the full-length podcast!

Listen to the full-length podcast by hitting play above (link to the mini below)!

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Mel-Dominguez-Mini.mp3

 

Listen below to the re-edited mini airing June 21-July 4, 2021:

Music: Summertime (Louis Armstrong/Ella Fitzgerald version) played by Jan Koláček

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Artistories-6.21-7.4.mp3

In this episode of Artistories we hear from musician, percussionist, beat producer and DJ Quiahuitl Villegas.  Quiahuitl talks about being a part of Taco Sauce, Sonido Tambo and adapting musically in the times of COVID.  We discuss her approach to music; one that is resistant and decolonizing–ranging from the types of projects she embarks on to the genres she showcases.  Quiahuitl shares her “artistic root”–the music she grew up with as a child and also the genres she discovered as an adult, like banda and cumbia. She closes the interview with a few words of encouragement for emerging trans and LGBTQ artists and musicians in our community. This interview combines identity in relation to music, language, gender, orientation, race and ethnicity–tune in to be thoroughly inspired!

Listen to the full-length podcast by hitting play above (link to the mini below)!

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Quiahuitl-Villegas-Mini.mp3

Emily Yetman

Block Painting Party

Corbett Project–Before and After

Cyclovia – April 7, 2019.Photo by: Mamta Popat

 

In this episode we hear from Emily Yetman, Executive Director of Living Streets Alliance.  Living Streets Alliance has a mission of advocating for streets in our town as living public spaces that connect people and are great for all of us. Perhaps most people know LSA as the hosts of Cyclovia, where art, culture, play and movement take over the streets, but there are other ways Living Streets Alliance invites us to re-imagine the street as a blank canvass we could do so much more than just drive cars through, especially with today’s pandemic-related needs. Listen in and learn all about how changes in our thinking can help us to design roads and streets in a more human-centered way, slow streets, flex zones, streateries, the Complete Streets City Ordinance, and more.

Listen to the full-length podcast by hitting play above (link to the mini below)!

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Emily-Yetman-Mini.mp3

Ryan Hill

“Make Music With Summer Breezes” by Judy Gans

“Windspin” by Barbara Grygutis

Multiple pieces at the Pop up Sculpture Drive Through Show

 

In this episode we hear from Ryan Hill, Director of Sculpture Tucson, who tells us about their Pop-up Sculpture Drive Through Show running from May 8-May 31. We also talk about the call to artists for the joint exhibition hosted by Sculpture Tucson and Tucson Botanical Gardens. Ryan talks to us about why Barbara Grygutis, Stephen Kimble and Jeff Timan started Sculpture Tucson three years ago and also tells us a little about his own artistic and professional journey. Listen to the full podcast to hear all about what he’s working on now, but here’s a hint:  it has to do with Ryan’s long history in museums and decolonizing the museum space.

Listen to the full-length podcast by hitting play above (link to the mini below)!

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Artistories-5.25-6.7.mp3