or whatever I call myself:

Representing Mexican Identity and Its Relation to the Past

About the Exhibition

or whatever I call myself is an online exhibition that maps a narrative of regional Mexican and Mexican-American identities and their influences, spanning from the pre-Columbian period to the present day. Muralism has a long tradition in Mexico, reaching all the way back to the pre-Columbian period. However, this exhibition starts with the Mexican muralismo movement of the 20th century. In the wake of a tumultuous revolution, the Mexican state was in search of ways to unite the nation's disparate populations. In doing so, they turned to art and sponsored one of the largest muralist movements of the century. Mexican muralismo was dominated by three artists called los tres grandes: Diego Rivera, Jose Clement Orozco, and David Alfaro Siqueiros. Each artist had distinct styles and ideologies, and together, they presented what they each conceived of as a modern Mexico. The exhibition moves forward in time from this inflection point, tracing the pre-Columbian and Spanish threads that were woven together as a result of muralismo's state-sponsored narrative, cultural histories, and direct quotations of the past. The exhibition's title references the many forms of Mexican and Mexican-American identities, quoting a line from the famous epic Chicanx poem, I am Joaquin. Or whatever I call myself challenges the perception of a monolithic Mexico, presenting a kaleidoscope of shifting and overlaid identities under the umbrella of Mexican muralismo.

Excerpt of I am Joaquin

by Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzalez

La raza!

Méjicano!

Español!

Latino!

Chicano!

Or whatever I call myself,

I look the same

I feel the same

I cry

And

Sing the same.

click here to read the entire poem

Suggested Route

Rather than presenting a chronological sequence, the murals are organized according to theme. The first three address interactions with Mexican history in the presentation of contemporary Mexican identity. The next set of three either embrace or reject identity formation on the basis of mestizaje, which refers to the mixing of New and Old World peoples and cultures. The last set of murals addresses pre-Columbian themes of the natural world. It is suggested that the murals be viewed in the order of these three themes. However, the exhibition can be viewed in any order through the thumbnails or the drop-down menu under "The Murals."

Dedication

I would like to thank everyone who helped me along this project, including my roommates and family. I know it probably wasn't easy listening to me talk about this for seven months. I would also like to give special thanks to Professor Jessica Stair, my advisor, whose guidance and excellent proofreads made this project possible.