Mexican performance artist Guillermo Gomez-Pena and his accomplices will conclude a 10-day workshop and book signing with a performance geared to inspire the community to think critically about art in which the human body is a site for creation, reinvention, memory and activism.
GÇümez-PeÇña incorporates video, writing, poetry, radio and journalism to present issues concerning immigration, cross-culturalism and the politics of language with the help of his organization, La Pocha Nostra.
The workshop and performance were forced to relocate from Oaxaca, Mexico, to Tucson because of political and social matters.
“”For me, I really feel society is facing a really serious dilemma,”” Gomez-Pena said of his work. “”It is important to bring together many artists who don’t believe in borders.
“”Art should be seen as a form of critical thinking, radical democracy and wisdom. Artists can cross borders that politicians and religions cannot.””
The workshop, said Gomez-Pena, will bring together international, national and local rebel artists.
“”It will be an intensive workshop,”” he said. “”We will be sharpening our performance skills. We will be developing materials and comparing notes about issues that bother us.””
The workshop is a learning experience for the artists, to help them utilize the tools to effectively deliver their message about current issues to the community, Gomez-Pena said. He stressed that it is important for students to attend the performance.
“”Students need to witness artists from different countries working together to articulate a universe in these troubled times,”” Gomez-Pena said.
He and three of La Pocha Nostra’s performance troupe members, Roberto Sifuentes, Violeta Luna and Michele Ceballos, will conclude the workshop with a performance Aug. 11. The performance is a series of 30-minute presentations from 5-8 p.m. at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 197 E. Toole Ave.
Gomez-Pena will appear Sunday at 7 p.m. at MOCA for the signing and a short presentation.
Tickets for each Saturday presentation are $5 for MOCA members and $10 for non-members. They can be purchased in advance at 624-6873 or at the door.
