Maximilíano Durón’s Piece - Article Review

Austin Shirah
John D. Wright
Art History 204
20th February 2017  

                                                              Article Review          

                                                               
    Maximilíano Durón’s piece covers the touchy subject of race in the art world. Durón explains that a recent study found by ARTnews that latinx art was largely under represented at the College Art Association’s conferences from 2012 and 2016. The report, Durón elaborates, details that on average only 1.4 sessions and 7.2 focused on latino art are presented per conference, while the 2013 and 2014 presentations had no sessions focused on latinx subjects. A more recent report, dated February, 18th, 2017 found out of the 256 sessions, only 1.17 percent, which is 3, would be focused to Latinx art, and out of 949 papers, only 14. This however is also in of itself a increase prior to the other conferences, by 0.13 and 0.43 percent.
    In the advent of these statistics, Durón states, the USLAF (US Latinx Art Forum), seeked to join the CAA, after being rejected the year prior. The USLAF’s goal is to create an accessible network for Latinx artists to use. Durón then interviewed both member of USLAF and CAA to gain better understanding of the goals of both organizations. One of the first questions asked was what the CAA’s conference will do with USLAF. Andria Zavala then answered accordingly, stating that they are trying to not create a separate category for latinx art, but to create a way for latinx art to get positions similar to other fields in art, and that they are bringing many individuals from different museums and institutions to talk about the matter. Rose Salseda also addressed issue with the recent ban of refugees by the Trump administration, and how it will affect not only latinx art, but all art all minority. They also pressed the issue of the possibility for raising minority artists with growing art cuts, and the effect of new immigration policy.
   The discussion about the effects of the immigration policy went further, with Hunter O’Hanian explaining that the CAA has been giving refugees, from countries such as Poland, Germany,Eastern Europe, opportunities since the 1930’s. He continued by expressing that the organization tries to be as open as possible, and that the current government is hindering these activities. When discussing why latinx art goes mostly unlearned or respected, Salseda openly states it could be due to the history of racism and discrimination categorized in fields of art. Zavala retorted saying that the number of Latinx artists included in the art of the United States aren't taken seriously and are used for tokenization, and declared that there's a clear discrimination in the system. The interview ends notably with Zavalza stating that anyone reading, white, black, latinx, queer, hopes that the interview opens up a chance for them to learn and communicate in the conversation, and Salseda stating that Latinx art itself is intersectional, and for everyone.
    I believe these type of discussions are heavily needed in the art community, especially in times such as these. There needs to more representation and attention to minority artists and their fields, as even the art industry has its own history of structural racism. I believe what the USLAF is trying to do is a wonderful idea and should be expanded upon for not only Latinx art but also art for all cultures. Many wonderful or creative minds can spend there entire life without the attention they deserve due to not being taken seriously by the art community, or because they're heavily under appreciated or don't have connections like others do. The concept to create a framework and system within the CAA to help latinx artist flourish is a wholeheartedly good idea.
    It is also good to see that there are those who openly address the issue of the what the Trump Administration are doing and how severely it can impact not only culture, but also the accessibility in the art community. Art from latinx, or any other culture for that matter, is rarely mainstreamed in the culture of the US, mostly due to ignorance,racism, or lack of education to simple care about the art from other cultures or there people. This can only get systematically worse with the ban of refugees, and the endorsement of “american” culture, which is seen primarily as white. This is however in reality is not the case, as america is a hot pot of different individuals and groups from ranging from LGBTQ, black, latinx, etc. The problem lies with a lack of proper mainstream presence of these groups in media, and with the ban of refugees, the state will only become more exclusive to other cultures from different nations.
    Overall, I feel if the CAA and USLAF can work together properly, we can see an expansion in accessibility, opportunity, and presence for latinx art. This can help others learn and appreciate forms of art they otherwise would not have access to seeing readily without these conditions. I really hope the next College Art Association’s conference in 2018 has a increase in not only latinx art, but art from different nationalities and cultures as well. As Saselda said, latinx art is intersectional, and can encompass has history with other cultures as well. In the end of the day, that's what art has to be, intersectional, and free to everyone. All culture no matter how small or minor, should be included and celebrated, or at least given the same opportunities as the rest.