Latinx Pop Artivisms
Latinx pop art does not allow itself to be limited by a single origin nor a single narrative this is perfectly explained through different muralisms, graffiti, tattoos, street art, and more. This art is created out of the lived realities of respected communities and experiences which is why so often we see this correlated with civil rights work. It calls upon justice against, racism, classism, patriarchy, white supremacy, touches immigration, environmentalism, and more. And while all these concepts might be social construct these pop artivisms are a reminder that they have real consequences to the bodies that wear said labels and shows a sense of community. Type lettering was able to unite communities across the country from its origins in New York all the way to the LA barrios. And just as the artist has been said lettering or graffiti began to be racialized and criminalized classified as dangerous gang activity; instead of what they were really trying to say which was the signifier of a community of pride of knowing where you belonged as opposed to where you felt excluded. Yet through that, they became even more ostracised and targeted by the already existing police presence. The best part about graffiti and other street arts is that it becomes accessible to anyone in the area and can create inspiration in another person to pursue their passion regardless of what it was. Something otherwise impossible had it not been for street art and its criminalized origins. Streetart isn't always something plastered on the side of a building it can also exist in the ways of performance as explored through in the Asco interviews a group of Chicanos during the movement and the ways in which they too were criticized both by those inside and outside their own community. Classified as not real art, as either too masculine, feminine, or just plain weird now in the very museum they were kept out of. These artivisms are needed to push the narrative of what we consider to be normal both in terms of art and social norms.
