Pirated: a post asian perspective

Artists:   Kathy Aoki  Michael Arcega  Curtis Choy  Derek Chung  Gloria G. Galang  Donna Keiko Ozawa  Indigo Som  Stephanie Syjuco thuy tran  Scott Tsuchitani Mel Vera Cruz  Lauren M. Wong  |  About Pirated Curators  Main

MICHAEL ARCEGA

Bio

MICHAEL ARCEGA is an interdisciplinary artist working primarily in sculpture and installations. His art, though visual, revolves largely around language. He mines history for residue from cultural clashes such as accents, Spam, Jesus nightlights, and cocoa crispies. Michael received his BFA in Interdisciplinary Studies at the San Francisco Art Institute in 1998. His work has been shown in San Francisco, Oakland, Marin, Los Angeles, Detroit, and Lisbon. He was awarded a residency at the Headlands Center for the Arts for the fall of 2005. Michael is represented by Heather Marx Gallery in San Francisco.

Project Statement By looking at cultural clashes like war, trade, and religion, I am able to find interesting cultural residue. One such material residue relates to the Manila galleon trade, which was a favorite prey of the pirates and privateers in the 16th through 18th centuries. Xocolatl was originally consumed in the Americas as rice was consumed in Asia. Thanks to cultural clashes, we can now consume these foods in one convenient snack – cocoa crispy treats!

Fortified, 2005, cocoa crispies and mixed media, 4" x 48" x 30" Click thumbnail to view larger image.