Roberto Salas “OLD WORLD / NEW WORLD”
ROBERTO SALAS OLD WORLD / NEW WORLD
Roberto Salas Los Piesde Cuauhtémoc, The Feet of Cuauhtémoc (the descending eagle)
Gathering of Nations: Sat. Nov. 5
Exhibition dates: November 5 – December 3, 2022
Union-Tribune article about Roberto
Roberto Salas: Old World/New World exhibition explores the DNA layers of his history through iconography linked to indigenous cultural roots. Growing up in El Paso, going to college in San Diego, and traveling the world, Salas’ artwork shows us how our ancestral roots and artistic traditions inform our present life.
Artworks in the exhibition welcome us to the center of family, in the kitchen, with handmade tools and recipes. The power and resilience of indigenous cultures are revealed through the iconography Salas utilizes in his daily practice as an artist and teacher. Other artworks in exhibition question the viewer as to their personal relationship and discovery of culture.
Curator Vallo Riberto y Roberto Salas
November 5th Gathering of Nations features an opening reception for Salas and an all day Gathering of Nations, a celebration of indigenous culture highlighting the craftspeople, storytellers, filmmakers and performers who carry on artistic traditions that trace our ancestors and the evolution of humans. Salas has worked with native voices and storytellers from around the world. He is inviting them to the event for a memorable gathering. Honored guests include local Kumeyaay educators who support their culture on a daily basis. Thank you to sponsor Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Nation
Salas is a social practice artist specializing in community and community input. He enjoys spending time delivering art supplies and making art with the Pa-Ipai people near Ensenada. Through the exhibition, Salas seeks to honor the craft and artwork of indigenous people from the ancient Kumeyaay lands. Salas is currently working with the Port of San Diego on two large scale public art works, a part of the Chula Vista Marina Re-Development project.
Salas enjoys delivering art supplies and making art with the Pa-Ipai people near Ensenada.
Robert’s site specific artworks around San Diego can be found on his website: https://robertosalas.com/about/
Roberto Salas El Paliacate y Arrowhead
About series:
A handkerchief with a distinctive drawing whose origin, Kashmir, came from India. Palacates are deeply rooted in Mexican traditions.
El paliacate es un pañuelo con un dibujo característico cuyo origen, la cachemira, llegó de la India. Los paliacates están muy arraigados en las tradiciones mexicanas.
Gathering of Nations welcomes Artist in Residence Abel Ryan:
Abel Ryan
Abel Ryan painting deerskin drums at Gathering of Nations
Abel Ryan, a member of the Laxiboo clan of Metlakatla, is a Tsimshian artist and teacher who has worked in wood carving, metal engraving, painting, drum making, and other art forms. He studied under master carver Jack Hudson in Metlakatla and now lives and works in Juneau, Alaska. Abel’s facebook page.
Alaska Magazine
Weaver Aurelia Ojeda Melendrez from the Kumeyaay tribal community of San Jose de la Zorra, Baja California, Mexico. Aurelia is famous for her stunning coiled rattlesnake basket patterns and Kumeyaay basket hats.
Zarco and Carmen Guerrero from Mesa AZ
Zarco Guerrero master sculptor and mask maker
Art as Meditation For Carmen, beading is a form of meditation and jewelry a source of empowerment. Each piece is a prayer for peace, love, harmony, health, beauty, prosperity, wisdom and wealth.
Presentations:
Kumeyaay from Santa Ysabel with a blessing for the event
Kumeyaay Bird Singers led by Chairman H. Paul Cuero, Jr.
Paul Cuero Jr. a member of the Campo Band of the Kumeyaay Nation (images from the National Museum of the American Indian)
Elder Cuero is nationally known for his mastery of a cycle of songs named for the takut. These cultural bird songs, of which there are 300 in the takut cycle, are a metaphor for life. Chairman Cuero and a group of Kumeyaay youth performed the bird songs with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra in a composition that bridged the gap between traditional indigenous and contemporary American cultures. He was also invited to sing at the White House during President Bill Clinton’s tenure, at the opening of the National Museum of the American Indian and at the pre-game ceremony for the 1998 Super Bowl in San Diego.
-CSU website
Gathering of Nations with museum board member and sponsor Guadalupe Gonzales, Vanessa Christman and museum indigenous cultures educator Heather Gallana
Schedule of Events, Gathering of Nations:
10:00 AM Program Start
10:15 AM “Welcome” and Land Acknowledgement
10:30 AM Introductions from MC: Guadalupe Gonzalez, Museum Board of Trustee of dignitaries
11:00 AM Bird Singers
11:30 AM Aztec Dancers
12:00 PM Roberto Salas intro of Zarco Guerrero Mask Performance, story telling in circle with masks
12:30 PM The Eagle Spirit Dancers, Benjamin Hale of the Navajo Tribe presenting North American culture through stories, music, songs and dance. Five different style of powwow dance including HOOP dance.
1:00 PM Ben Hale Dancers
1:30 PM Ben Hale Dancers
2:00 PM Ben Hale Dancers
2:30 PM Roberto Salas intro of Zarco Guerrero Mask Performance
3:00 PM David Salomon Flute
3:30 PM
4:00 PM Roberto Salas intro of Able Ryan, master wood carver
Danza Mexi’cayotl performances
Thank You the Community Sponsors:
Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Nation
Anonymous
Carlos Carriedo
Fran and Alan Cornell
Greg and Cheryl Cox
Robert & Choco Dresser
Rosa Dubost
John and Stephanie Garcia
Guadalupe Gonzalez
Douglas Hildenbrandt
William Osborne
In Memory of Bill Stephens