Virgil Ortiz's Vertigo

Virgil Ortiz's latest exhibit, Vertigo, opened last week at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe (just fyi, I'm no longer living in Santa Fe, and I'm crushed that I can't attend every opening! Sadtimes. BUT, since I will be in Santa Fe for their annual Indian Market, I will still get to check out the show. Awesome.).

About Vertigo (Ortiz always has the best one-word show names, I swear), the Museum press release explained,

The past receives a current voice with the newest figurative work of Virgil Ortiz. With pieces whose scale and style are both unprecedented, the Vertigo series infuses cultural understanding and historic research. Just as his ancestors used clay to comment on their lives and experiences; Ortiz does the same and adds a fresh element and spin by enlisting family members to contribute their respective works in this spectacular series.

Inspired by Ben Wittick’s famous photograph, circa 1880, Ortiz recreates the scene using a photograph of the Charles Bridge he took during a visit to Prague, Czech Republic in 1999.

“When I walked up to the Charles Bridge, it reminded me of that photo from the Clay People book and I knew someday I would recreate it.” – Virgil Ortiz

The original Wittick photo, and Virgil Ortiz's version.

So if you plan on checking it out, here's the dish:

WHAT: “Vertigo: A Spin on Tradition ~ Reviving the Past” with Virgil Ortiz and family members

WHEN: Monday August 1st through September 5th, 2011

WHERE: Museum of Indian Arts & Culture | 710 Camino Lejo, Museum Hill off Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe New Mexico. Phone: 505.476.1250

“There is no better illustration from an artist who constantly challenges his abilities to mold clay into forms never imagined. The Vertigo series comes full circle and ends with the traditional “Mono” at this point in time.” – Robert Gallegos, Art Dealer - Historian


ALSO: Keep your eyes open for Ortiz's collaboration with Aqua Hospitality Carpets.

Santa Fe Indian Market 2011 Fashion Events

Ok ya'll! It's August! Well, it's been August for over a week now, but I'm just now catching on. And since it's August, that means Beyond Buckskin will be featuring information about the upcoming Santa Fe Indian Market, to be held August 20-21, 2011.

Now, if you know anything about Indian Market, you'll know that the fun stuff isn't just on Saturday and Sunday, it is also on the days preceding the event.

I'm very excited about this year, because there will be fashion-related events on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday (What's that? No Saturday? Well, I'll find some 'fashionable' Indians to spotlight on this blog as a 'Saturday Night Special' of sorts - yea?! **NOTE: I found a Saturday fashion event! See the addition below).

Here's the list of events that you can catch me at!:

WHAT: Opulance Fashion Reception
WHEN: Thursday, August 18, from 5-7pm
WHERE: Museum of Contemporary Native Arts
DEETS: A Fashion event not to be missed. The Tsosie-Gaussoin designers, Connie Tsosie Gaussoin, David Gaussoin, and Wayne Nez Gaussoin collaborate with Orlando Dugi, for a special Pre-NDN market premiere. Experience a rare collection of work, that is an exception to the standards. Enjoy live Models, Art, Music, Food, n Fun. Free event.

WHAT: The Wheelwright Museum's Annual Art for Wear Event
WHEN: Friday, August 19, from 10:30am–12:30pm
WHERE: The Wheelwright Museum
DEETS: The museum hasn't posted an official press release yet, but typically, the Art for Wear showcase hosts some of the premier Native fashion designers. In the past, these designers have included Patricia Michaels, Pilar Agoyo, Penny Singer, Teri Greeves, Margaret Roach Wheeler, and TahNibaa Naat'aanii. The casual atmosphere makes for a great opportunity to meet and talk with the designers (and try on some of the gear!). What's also cool is that the museum's store, the Case Trading Post has some dope Loloma jewelry (pictured above).

WHAT: Fashion Show, Fashion Party, Indian Market 2011
WHEN: Friday, August 19, starting at 7:30pm
WHERE: El Farol, 808 Canyon Road
DEETS: Three Navajo fashion designers get together to host a fashion event during Indian Market. Designers include Martini Couture, Walter Barney, and Consuelo Pascual. Gary Blackchild and guests performing. Sound and Lighting by The Sound Gallery. Model Management Group, ROMERO ENT.

WHAT: Northwest Coast Traditional/Contemporary Fashion Review
WHEN: Saturday, August 20, at 2pm
WHERE: The Sealaska Pavilion in Cathedral Park across from MoCNA
DEETS: The Native nonprofit Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) and its founder Sealaska Corporation are planning Native art demonstrations, art sales, dance-and-cultural performances and a high fashion show to spotlight the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures of Southeast Alaska. Hoonah’s Louise Kadinger will showcase Tlingit fur and skin sewing and Sitka’s Nicholas Galanin will feature Tlingit silver works. Contemporary work from Haida designer Dorothy Grant from Vancouver will be featured in a fashion show as well as Kadinger’s sea otter wear. Besides performing six dances, the St. Elias troupe dancers will also showcase their traditional regalia.

WHAT: SWAIA Indian Market Native American Clothing Contest
WHEN: Sunday, August 21, from 9am-12pm.
WHERE: Santa Fe Plaza
DEETS: Indian Market’s Clothing Contest is a visually inspiring competition with over 125 contestants and 18 design categories. Traditional categories will be judged by seven distinguished Native American judges from various tribes as well as a celebrity judge for the Contemporary categories. (And I'll be volunteering!)

If more events pop up, I'll be sure to update this list. Cheerio!

Pride Parade - Playing Indian?

Hello blog friends!

This is just a quick post to let you all know of a recent situation that occurred in Santa Fe -

Today was the annual Santa Fe Pride Parade, and a few of my friends attended and were shocked to find 'white boys' playing 'Indian.' This is particularly shocking because the whole point of Pride Parade is, as my friend states below, 'to abolish hate and stereotypes in order to celebrate equality, difference, diversity and tolerance.'

Since this blog focuses on issues related to representation, and encourages people to think 'beyond buckskin', I wanted to post the letter that my friend sent earlier today.

UPDATE: Please click here to add your name to another letter written in response to the presence of the "Cowboys and Indians" parade float.

(This is not Santa Fe's Parade, this was Miami Pride Parade 2010 - is 'Playing Indian' an acceptable Pride Parade thing? Photo by Jessica R. Metcalfe)

(Santa Fe Pride Parade 2011. Playin Indian photo by Joslyn Baker, Soluna Studio, Commercial Photography)

Hi All,

I attended the Santa Fe Pride parade in the railyard this morning and was shocked with what was included in the parade - a truck load of white boys playing indian. I approached the Santa Fe Human Rights Alliance and asked them to take responsibility and to address it immediately and publicly since they had the platform. The Vice-president blew me off so I waited to hear the speeches by all political constituents expressing Santa Fe's tolerance of all. Upon discussing the "situation" with the president, she tried to dismiss it but I was somewhat relentless and told her her organization needs to take responsibility. I left.

I just emailed them (should you like to support, their email is President Dona Hatch donahatch@msn.com and Vice- Paul Collom pcboy28@gmail.com)

Here is the letter;

June 25, 2011

Santa Fe Human Rights Alliance
Santa Fe Pride
P.O. Box 8640
Santa Fe, NM 87504


Dear Ms. Hatch and Mr. Collom,

I am following up on a conversation I had with both of you this afternoon at the Santa Fe Pride festivities following the welcoming speech by Ms. Hatch and dignitaries and alliances from the city of Santa Fe. I approached both of you regarding the inclusion of an extreme problematic situation – the “Cowboy and Indian” float sponsored by the group representing New Mexico Film (?). The “float” positioned an embedded racist attitude towards Native Americans through the imaginary stereotypes and constructions created through colonization that continue to exist today. By allowing this organization to parade blatant racism is unacceptable, especially for a community organization such as the Santa Fe Human Rights Alliance and Santa Fe Pride who’s work is to abolish hate and stereotypes in order to celebrate equality, difference, diversity and tolerance. The “white boys” dressed in souvenir store headdresses with painted bodies standing around a plastic teepee mock the First Peoples of this Nation. Their redfacing and drag placed an appalling presence in the parade, which incited racial gestures by parade bystanders, who whooped and hollered derogatory sounds perpetuating a persistent public ignorance. This behavior by the “community” and the organizations involved welcome intolerance to continue and it is extremely offensive and irresponsible.

Upon my conversation with both of you and within your position, I asked that you make a public apology, to make it right, at the moment. There are no excuses for this hatred to exist and be perpetuated in a public celebration of diversity. Pride is respect and acceptance, however, it was a sad event I witnessed and the Santa Fe Human Rights Alliance has disrespected, offended and diminished an entire race and their culture today by allowing this to happen. Shame on you.

Sincerely,

Ryan Rice
Mohawk Nation,
Santa Fe Resident

Video | 2010 Buffalo Thunder Fashion Show

An oldie, but a goodie - this video clip is from the 2010 Buffalo Thunder Fashion Show held last January at the Pojoaque Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino. In collaboration with the new Rail Runner, the fashion show featured top Native designers from the Santa Fe region, including Jerry Ingram, Michelle Tapia Browning, Penny Singer, Pilar Agoyo and Patricia Michaels.

www.SantaFeTVShow.com, Episode #3, Buffalo Thunder FASHION SHOW from DHP Multimedia on Vimeo.

Santa Fe Community College Fashion Show, Spring 2011

Last Friday, the design students at the Santa Fe Community College hosted a fashion show featuring the work of over a dozen students.

Here's a backstage picture of a top and vest made by Consuelo Pascual (Navajo).



(Pascual's line up)

Read more about the event here.

To read more about Pascual, click here, and to read more about the fashion students at the Santa Fe Community College, click here.

Video | My Presentation on Native Fashion

In case you missed, here is a video of my presentation last week at the School for Advanced Research in Santa Fe on Native Designers of High Fashion -

Patricia Michaels at SWAIA/Legends Show

Changing the Face: Celebrated Female Fashion Designers and Textiles Artists

The fifth and final show of the collaboration between Legends Santa Fe and Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) featured celebrated female fashion designers and textile artists including Patricia Michaels (Taos Pueblo).

Michaels was the unanimous 2010 winner of the Santa Fe Indian Market's Textiles Classification. Competing against traditional Native textiles, her winning piece signals the ever-expanding possibilities of the ancient art of adornment.

Michaels explained, “Every garment that I make, the fabric and the cut of the garment tells a story. And that’s how I feel Native people can give back to the rest of the world… to share their stories with people in the outside world. Some people do it through pottery, or painting, or jewelry. For me, I just thought, well, somebody can wear it. They can feel [these stories] on their skin.”

(All images below are of Patricia Michaels' fashion designs shot during the Legends/SWAIA event, and are courtesy of Jessica R. Metcalfe and Keith Grosbeck, with special thanks to Michaels and her models):






To read more about Patricia Michaels, check out my designer profile on her, and visit her website.

Also, if you're in the neighborhood, be sure to check out the upcoming Legends show featuring the jewelry of Colin Coonsis (Zuni/Navajo), which opens on November 26, 2010:

Events | Fashion at the Santa Fe Indian Market

Ooh! A ton of events are planned for the upcoming Santa Fe Indian Market hosted by SWAIA, whose goal is to bring Native arts to the world by inspiring artistic excellence, fostering education, and creating meaningful partnerships. And I can't wait to pack my bags!

I love attending Indian Market and checking out all the artist booths down at the Plaza, but I also love to check out all the events that occur on the 'edges' of the sanctioned SWAIA booths.

This year, there are many notable Native fashion events going on - in particular, Virgil Ortiz's Made in Native America clothing line debut, the Tsosie-Gaussoin family's Axiom exhibit at the Poeh Museum, Dorothy Grant's collection preview and booth, the Wheelwright Trunk Show, and the SWAIA Native American Clothing Contest.

Also, check out Southwest Flair's August issue to get the latest scoop on Native fashion - it's all online!


About the events:

Virgil Ortiz's MINA line
August 19-22, 2010
Eternity boutique

Virgil Ortiz will debut his Made in Native America (MINA) Signature T-shirt Collection and canvas tote bags during Indian Market, available exclusively at Eternity located at 127 Water St, or at www.virgilortiz.com. He will also have a pottery showing at Shiprock Trading - the REVOLT opening reception will be held Thursday, August 19, from 6-8 P.M.


Axiom: The Tsosie-Gaussoin Family
August 19, 2010, 5-8pm
Poeh Museum

The Poeh Cultural Center and Museum of the Pueblo of Pojoaque proudly presents its Annual Indian Market Exhibition: AXIOM: Connie Tsosie Gaussoin, David Gaussoin, Wayne Gaussoin, and Robert Dale Tsosie. The exhibit will feature jewelry, clothing designs, paintings, digital media and sculpture. The Opening Reception is Thursday, August 19, 2010 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM and includes Inuit Throat Singers, Maori Dancers, and Tsimshian Singers and fashion show! The exhibit will be open through November 20, 2010.



Dorothy Grant Collection Preview and Booth
August 19-22, 2010
Santa Fe

Dorothy Grant will have a booth down at the plaza (747 LIN-E), featuring Haida couture, sportswear, and accessories for men and women. You can also preview the collection at Hotel Plaza Real, August 19-20, from 1 to 5pm each day. For more information go to dorothygrant.com



Art-for Wear Trunk Show
August 20, 2010, 10:30am-12:30pm
Wheelwright Museum

The Wheelwright Museum's annual Indian Market Trunk Show is back by popular demand. They will host five Native American designers participating in this year's Art-for-Wear event - Featuring exquisite designs by Patricia Michaels, Pilar Agoyo, Penny Singer, Teri Greeves, Margaret Roach Wheeler, and TahNibaa Naat'aanii.


The SWAIA Native American Clothing Contest
Sunday, August 22, 2010 9am-12pm
Santa Fe Plaza, Downtown Santa Fe

Among the many cherished traditions at the Santa Fe Indian Market, the Native American Clothing Contest (NACC) is one of the most beloved and anticipated events. For over twenty years, the NACC has been the most photographed event at the Santa Fe Indian Market. The contest includes categories for traditional and contemporary Native American fashions, features children and adult participants, and awards prizes in over 20 categories.


(A dress by Pilar Agoyo at the SWAIA Native American Clothing Contest)

Native Fashion in Trend Magazine

Native fashion is featured in Trend Magazine's current Spring/Summer 2010 issue, which is out on newsstands right now.

The article discusses the hurdles Native designers have to overcome in the fashion industry, and features quotes from moi, as well as the amazing Patricia Michaels and Pilar Agoyo.

I was about to try to order a copy of it when I discovered that it's available online, so check it out! The fashion article is on pages 22-24. Click here: Trend Magazine Spring/Summer 2010. Enjoy!

Mosley Tribes: A Native Perspective

This just in from the Mosley Tribes blog website – they have teamed up with a media group to produce a short documentary film spotlighting Santa Fe, a major Native arts center and the inspiration for their latest Summer 2010 line and campaign. Here is a sneak peek of the video, “A Native Perspective”:



For their Summer 2010 campaign, Mosley Tribes teamed up with LA-based multi-media group, The Social Trust, to create a featurette documentary, spotlighting the region and the characters that inspired the brand this season. This 15-minute short will focus on the art-centric metropolis of Santa Fe, New Mexico, a scenic wilderness wonderland influenced by local Native American culture. The color selection of laminates, lenses and textures used in the Mosley Tribes 2010 Summer/Fall collection reflect the region and some of the enigmatic personalities who call New Mexico home.

Highlights include interviews and commentary with artists of Native American descent who reside and work in the area. Darren Vigil Gray, a prominent artist renowned for his abstract landscapes and portraits, allows the Mosley Tribes team exclusive access to his studio to observe and document some of his creative process. Also featured in the film is renowned contemporary painter Tony Abeyta incorporates bold colors, rich textures and representations of Navajo deities in his work. Both share thoughts and stories about the history of their craft and discuss how the Santa Fe region affects and inspires their work.

Inspired by the elements of Native American arts and culture, Mosley Tribes proudly presents the newest addition to the Lyndel sunglass category: the limited-quantity hand-beaded Lyndel hits stores in July.


Native American artist Darren Vigil Gray in the Lyndel Beaded edition behind his studio in the outskirts of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Patterned after Native American hand woven blankets, both temples on the black Lyndel are individually hand laid using brightly colored ceramic beads. The frame design is retro-inspired in an angular plastic cut. The keyhole bridge accentuates the softly contoured lens shape while the frame front sports retro pin detailing.



Hand beaded by Jenny Dayco, the former graphic designer and talent agent is self-taught in the art of jewelry designing and works instinctively from the gut while her hands brilliantly produce each and every single piece. “I just love making things that are insane and fantastic, pushing my own understanding of beauty and adornment on the body,” Dayco gushes. “I love creating pieces that make people feel confident and bring them joy.” The Beaded Lyndel will be produced in limited quantities and will be available at exclusively at Oliver Peoples Boutiques at Sunset Plaza and Soho and select stores nationwide July 2010.

Article | College Chic

(models and designers backstage at the Art is Fashion show March 25 in Santa Fe. Image my own)

Last night I had the great pleasure to see the Art of Fashion show hosted by 7 Santa Fe Community College fashion design students (including my friend Consuelo Pascual (Navajo) who let me sneak backstage to snap a ton of photos). Below is a brief review of their show by Phaedra Haywood, spotlighting one of the designers, 17 year-old Bianca Garcia:


Art of Fashion show features designs by Santa Fe Community College students
Phaedra Haywood for The New Mexican
Posted: Thursday, March 25, 2010

A svelte model wearing an Asian-inspired gown of pink brocade strutted across the stage to the song "Meet Me Halfway" by the Black Eyed Peas on Thursday at The Lodge at Santa Fe.

The gown, one of four created by Santa Fe native Bianca Garcia, was one of 39 new designs by Santa Fe Community College students who were the featured designers in the Art of Fashion, a monthly fashion show hosted by Buzz Networking Albuquerque.

The seven students who participated in the show are enrolled in the college's fashion design program, the only one in the state. For many of them it was their first experience readying garments for a public show.

And while there were no celebrity judges or eliminations — à la Project Runway — there were plenty of lessons being learned by the designers.

"It was a great challenge," said 17-year-old Garcia. The home-schooled teen entered the two-year program at the age of 15 and will complete it this year. "I don't like challenges when I'm in them. But when it's over I learn so much about myself."

Garcia — who said she changed her entire line during a mini-crisis of confidence after a fitting four days before the show — said the experience taught her about preparedness and counting the cost of time and materials when designing for the real world.

The monthly fashion show is the brainchild of Stephen Cuomo, a former Las Vegas, Nev., stockbroker who moved back to his hometown of Albuquerque about a year ago.

Cuomo said the events are his way of spicing up local nightlife; giving couples and "mature" women "something to watch" during an evening out; and connecting aspiring models, directors and other "creative types."

Cuomo holds casting calls for models before each show. They aren't paid, but get the opportunity to connect with people who might give them work, Cuomo said. He said the event also gives local designers such as the students from the college a "turnkey event" at which to present their clothes which isn't tied to a fundraiser like many fashion shows.

Cuomo, who said he spent 14 years working for large investment firms including Smith Barney and Merrill Lynch, is paid a fee by the venues that host the shows and keeps the proceeds from the door.

He's been hosting the monthly shows for about a year — mostly in Albuquerque — and says they are gaining in popularity.

Other designers who showed work during the event included Rachael Maestas, Consuelo Pascual, Shelly Lang, Paola Palaciaos, Lynne Kudus and Jessica Rimmer.

[read original here]

Event | Partners in Design: Native Chic Trunk Shows

(Patricia Michaels)

Perhaps one of the best things about being in Santa Fe, New Mexico, has to do with the fact that it is a mecca for cutting-edge Native American fashion.

The Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, at 704 Camino Lejo in Santa Fe, is currently hosting trunk shows to feature Native designers and jewelers. The first two events, which were held in September and October, spotlighted Penny Singer, Jennifer Curtis, Pilar Agoyo, and Cody Sanderson.

Trunk shows are important ways for fashion designers and jewelers to get the word out about their art, to connect with collectors, and to commission new work. Trunk shows involve less time, energy, and funding than the standard runway fashion show (in which dozens of volunteers, hours of preparation, and lots of $$ are required), and provide significant sources of income for designers. Because of their intimate nature, they are also great opportunities to meet and talk with the artists.

The final three events, to be held in December, January, and February, promise to be exciting shows, and IF you find yourself in New Mexico, you should definitely check them out:

December 20, 2009
Partners in Design: Native Chic
Third in a series of five trunk shows, featuring Native American designers and jewelers. Works by Patricia Michaels and Connie, David, and Wayne Nez Gaussoin to be featured.

January 31, 2010
Partners in Design: Native Chic
Fourth in a series of five trunk shows, featuring Native American designers and jewelers. Works by Teri Greeves and Keri Ataumbi to be featured.

February 28, 2010
Partners in Design: Native Chic
Fifth in a series of five trunk shows, featuring Native American designers and jewelers. Fashion week blowout with works by select artists.

All trunk shows will be held at the Mary Cabot Wheelwright Library from 3-5 p.m. with free admission. For additional information, contact Robb Lucas at 505-982-4636 x110 or send an email to casetradingpost@wheelwright.org.