Marisol Torres
Moshpit del Sexto Sol, 2024
Serigraph, Ed. of 60
30 x 22 in. 

Being invited to participate in this atelier invoked memory, emotion, and excitement all at once. In the late 1990s, we re-imagined and re-purposed neglected L.A. spaces into flowering revolutionary guards held together by our collective paint strokes, chord combinations, drum progressions, Teatro actos, and poetic versos. We organized and danced in dialogue to the cantos of our L.A.-bred Chicana/o songbirds, calling attention to the injustices of our intersecting worlds, calling us to action, and calling us to see ourselves in one another’s eyes. I was overjoyed to be able to ignite conversation with Gustavo Avina from Blues Experiment and reflect on the impact of his soulful voice on our L.A. movements. The duality of his humility and colossal talent transformed worlds through his songs and live performances. For this design, I wanted to trace the trajectory of Gus’ story from musical observer to East Los musical icon, but it did not fit on the page! I aspired to capture the absolute joyful, rebellious essence of being at a Blues Experiment show. I remember dancing in unity with people of all ages, mosh pits so ripe with community spirit that anyone would feel complete safety within the nonstop spiral of gente singing, moshing, and rising in resistance—the immense solidarity provoked by Gustavo’s voice within our corner of the universe.