Art Monopolies in Chicago
Art in Chicago, as in so many parts of the world, is monopolized by some institutions and people who are the official arbiters of what Latin art is and should be.
Chicago is full of Latino artists, and yet those to whom the largest subsidies only go to those who have known how to stand in the forefront to self-declare the representatives of Latino culture, of Latinos, and to be the voices of a silent community.
The artists open exhibitions in poorly conditioned spaces while the prima-donnas of art have and suggest luxurious facilities where events of their choice are held or will be held.
The Latino artist in Chicago is relegated, always to what the market dictates and the insistence that craft is superior to art. that without detracting from the value of handicrafts or artisans or their work, especially when talking about art, it is essential to open the doors to all Latin artists, not only to those who are imported because of their national or international recognition but because it increases sales during the various festivities which these institutions have appropriated to make a killing.
These people who handle the Latin culture as if it were theirs join together to keep the creator’s hands tied, asking for his recognition and validity. he walks with his nose up and giving blessings right and left to those who are willing to beg him for a space, a presentation, a permission for creativity.
Part of the blame lies with the artists themselves who continue to try to find validity with an unusual servility of official institutions without any confidence in their own creativity, in their own creation, education, work. To them I say: “We are the creators.”
It’s sad that if you call a meeting of independent Latin artists, nobody comes; more if the Goodman calls a meeting of Latin artists, there we go like sheep. There are some who hardly make any noise and have already prostrated themselves as the representatives, connoisseurs and curators of Hispanic and Latin American classical music.
It is high time that we art creators take the baton from the hands of mediocre people who have no idea how to hold a drawing pencil or a camera or how to prepare an actor; time to tell this ladies and gentlemen that they do not represent us.
Miguel Lopez Lemus
February 11 2018