Los Tecuanes De Nueva York

Curator:Odalys Burgoa

Artists: Roy Baizan, Jasmine Espinal, Odalys Burgoa, Catalina Lopez

Gallery: LES Gallery

Dates: April 8th - May 14th 2022

Opening Reception: April 8th, 6-9pm

The Clemente Soto Velez Cultural & Educational Center presents “Los Tecuanes De Nueva York” curated by Odalys Burgoa. This exhibition is set to be at the LES Gallery location available for viewing from April 8th to May 14th. The artwork and archives presented are by photo documentarian Roy Baizan, folkloric dancer and painter Jasmine Espinal, Curator and multidisciplinary artist Odalys Burgoa and artist Catalina Lopez. “Los Tecuanes de Nueva York” is an exhibition of the inter-generational preservation of a traditional Mixteco dance from Mexico. Believed to be first documented in Acatlán, Puebla in 1890 this dance is about the unity of families who defend their land. In many regions of Mexico and even Central and South America there are similar stories and dances about the protection of land, battle between good and evil and many references of the Jaguar (Tecuani), the devil and witches. Today, this dance is preserved by “Millenials”, “Generation Z” and the migrated families who brought this tradition with them. Referencing documentary photography by Roy Baizan, family archives from Catalina Lopez and artwork from Jasmine Espinal and Odalys Burgoa, the exhibit will present different timelines of Tecuane dance groups from the early 2000’s to today.