"BETTER TO DIE ON MY FEET" Self Help Graphics Exhibition Curated by Slanguage Studio

SELF HELP GRAPHICS & ART DAY OF THE DEAD ART EXHIBITION BETTER TO DIE ON MY FEET FEATURES ART WORK FROM ARTISTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY OPENS FRIDAY OCTOBER 29 AT 7PM

Better to Die on My Feet Self Help Graphics & Art's Dia de los Muertos Exhibition Curated by Karla Diaz and Mario Ybarra Jr. of Slanguage Studio Opening reception: Friday, October 29, 2010, 7-9 pm On view: October 29, 2010-November 27, 2010.

Experience an exhibition that re-envisions the traditional celebration of Day of the Dead. Young, emerging artists and recent university graduates from across the U.S. redefine memorial through a contemporary art lens in Better to Die on My Feet at Self Help Graphics & Art.

Artists Include: Raul Baltazar( Los Angeles) Ruth Buentello (San Antonio, TX) Jimmy Canales (San Antonio, TX) Bernardo Cantu (Denton, TX) Juan Angel Chavez (Chicago, IL) Raul Gonzalez (Boston, MA) Tony Lopez (Los Angeles, CA) Angelica Muro (San Jose, CA) Rafael Noz (San Fransisco, CA) Abel Rodriguez (Los Angeles, CA) Arnoldo Vargas (Los Angeles, CA)

Better To Die On My Feet explores a contemporary approach to memorial, celebrating the Mexican tradition of Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead. The title is based on the proverb - Better to die on my feet, than to Live on My Knees by Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata, urging us to stand up for what we believe, even if it means dying for it. This notion aims at memorializing the dead through the memory of them living with resistance and pride.

About Slanguage Studio: Founded in 2002 by Karla Diaz and Mario Ybarra, Jr., Slanguage is an artist group headquartered in Wilmington, CA. Slanguage includes teenagers, street artists, and established mid to late career artists, the majority of whom live and work in the greater Los Angeles area. Slanguage bases their practice on a three pronged approach to art making to include education, community-building and interactive exhibitions. Recent projects by Slanguage include Engagement Party, a three-month residency with the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (2009) and Sweeney Tate (2007) for the Tate Modern, London.

For more information visit: www.slanguagestudio.com

Image: "A Hat for Isabella Blow", 2010 by Angelica Muro

Self Help Graphics' Noche de Ofrenda

Self Help Graphics & Art’s Noche de Ofrenda offers the opportunity to build a collective altar. Evening features poetry readings.

Create mementos for loved ones who have departed. Participants are also invited to bring appropriate mementos from home to add to the altar.

Led by premier altar-maker and community resident, Ofelia Esparza and assisted by the Esparza family, everyone is invited to contribute offerings to Self Help Graphics' Community Altar for display throughout our Dia de los Muertos festivities. This inspirational and important and important art of traditional art making invites us to share our memories of loved ones with special tokens of rememberance.Award winning poets Gloria Alvarez and Ruben Funkahuatl Guevara share their ofrendas de palabra during this special evening.

Self Help Graphics Partners with Gallery ChimMaya!

Muertos De Risa: 80’s Vintage Day of the Dead Works From Self Help Graphics & Art’s Collection

Opening reception: Sunday, October 31, 2010, 3-7 pm

On view: October 31, 2010-November 20, 2010

A Dia de los Muertos print collector’s dream come true! Muertos de Risa is a unique opportunity to view and purchase rare prints in the Self Help Graphics & Art’s collection.

The selection of art includes, Esperanza, (1990), a large, marvelous and impeccable print by the late, multi-faceted artist Eduardo Oropeza. Oropeza’s work is very coveted by art lovers and the rarity of having an available print for sale makes it an incredible opportunity for collectors to acquire his work.

Included in the exhibition are other singular DOD themed works from the “70’s and 80’s by renowned Chicano and Mexicano artists John Valadez, Leo Limón and Alfredo de Batuc. These artists as well as many others were an integral part of the Chicano art movement that was nurtured from its beginnings at Self Help Graphics & Art.

Several rare pieces from the late seventies will also be available. These colorful, unsigned and unnumbered early DOD themed works are a testament of the unique historical significance of Self Help Graphics & Art and Dia de los Muertos, and offer the committed art collector a rare opportunity to share a piece of Chicano art history.

Dia de los Muertos 2010 Main Event: Revolucion sin Fronteras/Revolution without Borders

Self Help Graphics & Art welcomes the community to its 37th Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration on Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010.

The longest running Day of the Dead event in the country, the celebration features musical performances, altars, and more celebrating the centennial of the Mexican Revolution with

Revolution without Borders/Revolución sin Fronteras.

Metro provides both Metro Bus and Metro Rail transportation to Belvedere Park at Civic Center. The Metro Gold Line train to East LA stops conveniently at the Civic Center station.

For more information about planning your trip to “Day of the Dead” on November 2 please visit the Metro trip planner atwww.metro.net or call 1-(800) COMMUTE or (323) Go Metro.

The event will features children’s art workshops, over 30 art and crafts vendors, over 40 elaborate altars, as well as delicious local food. MC’d by this year’s winner of NBC’s last comic standing, Felipe Esparza, guests will also enjoy a day of the dead fashion “walk,” live music from top local performers including and surprise special guests. One of the highlights of the celebration includes a traditional public procession featuring people of all ages in colorful calavera face paint and attire. This year’s commemorative print was created by artist Jose Ramirez whose culturally-significant and family friendly art work has been seen everywhere on public art projects, in children’s books and in galleries throughout Southern California.

This year’s event is sponsored in part by the Walt Disney Company and Bank of America with support from Los Angeles County Supervisor, Gloria Molina, Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, Los Angeles County Libraries, Los Angeles County Internal Services Department, La Morenita, and Los Angeles County Metropolitan.

Park and Ride the Metro to SHG's Dia de los Muertos!

Metro provides both Metro Bus and Metro Rail transportation to Belvedere Park at Civic Center. The Metro Gold Line train to East LA stops conveniently at the Civic Center station.

For more information about planning your trip to “Day of the Dead” on November 2 please visit the Metro trip planner atwww.metro.net or call 1-(800) COMMUTE or (323) Go Metro.

THE BAR EXAM: VII at Self Help Graphics & Art, Oct. 16 5 pm

Join us for THE BAR EXAM: VII
Hosted by :Self Help Graphics & Art
Presented by: Swim Team & Hard N Da Paint

Saturday, October 16, 2010
5 -11 pm
$5, ALL AGES!
NO ALCOHOL!
At Self Help Graphics & Art
3802 Cesar Chavez Ave.
East LosAngeles, CA 90063

Resident DJ: Empty

Hosted by: Sahtyre

Live art by: Ralf!

MC Battles:
Base vs Lex Diamond
Jerzy Swift vs Vision
Jayk Gallager vs Grip Sheffield
Malathion vs Mantix
Kray z k vs DJ Penn
808 MC vs aries

Plus the MC Skills Challange!
VerBS vs Jayk vs Pistol vs Rich

LIVE PERFORMANCES BY:
The Alumni
NuAi
Young Abe

To compete contact: sahtyre@gmail.com