BookPeople welcomes Roj Rodriguez in conversation with Dr. Amelia Malagamba-Ansótegui to celebrate the release of Mi Sangre. The event will include a moderated discussion, an audience Q&A, and a signing line.
EVENT INFO:
- This event is free and open to the public.
- Start time: 7 P.M.
- Run time: 45-60 minutes, followed by a signing line.
- Location: The Second Floor of BookPeople.
- The author will be signing copies of their book after the speaking portion of the event.
- To get a book signed, a copy of the event book or an item of equal value must be purchased from BookPeople.
EVENT GUIDELINES:
- Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
- There will not be a live stream or recording available.
- BookPeople reserves the right to cancel or postpone this event if necessary.
- If you have any other questions, please email us at online@bookpeople.com
ABOUT MI SANGRE:
A compelling photographic portrait of Mexican culture on both sides of the border. Austin-based photographer Roj Rodriguez's (born 1971) series Mi Sangre began as a photo-documentation of a personal journey to retrace his Mexican heritage and soon evolved into a broader project aimed at highlighting Mexican culture on both sides of the US-Mexico border. Everyday life, culture and popular iconography in Mexico are documented here, but portrayed as they are seen in Mexico and as Mexican Americans in the US reinterpret them. With each of the subjects portrayed, Roj Rodriguez engaged in sometimes casual, sometimes insightful conversations. Mi Sangre includes proud and elegant charros, beautiful and skilled escaramuzas, joyful and coy children, wise and innocent elders, vibrant and talented mariachi musicians, loving and welcoming families, and Rodriguez's reinterpretations of Loteria iconography.
ABOUT ROJ RODRIGUEZ:
Roj Rodriguez’ body of work reflects his journey from Texas – where he was born and raised – to New York City, where he worked for almost two decades. From 1998 to 2006 he assisted many well-established photographers in projects covering a wide range of subjects – fashion, sports, commercial and advertising.
In 2006, he embarked on establishing himself as his own photographer. His first major body of work, Mi Sangre, has won numerous awards including the LUCIE International Awards, Photo District News, and Prix de la Photographie Paris; and gained the attention of many fine art curators and collectors across the United States and abroad. Selected images from Mi Sangre have been acquired into the permant collection of four fine art museums, including The Museum of Fine Arts of Houston, The San Antonio Museum of Art and La Plaza de Cultura y Artes in Los Angeles and The National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago. In addition, selected images have been exhibited alongside celebrated photographers such as Edward Weston, Tina Modotti, Manuel Alvarez Bravo, and Paul Strand, just to name a few.
The Mi Sangre series embodies the memories from his childhood and the elements that he considers to be an important part of his heritage. Over the years, Roj developed a deep admiration and respect for other cultures as he grew closer to his own.
ABOUT DR. AMELIA MALAGAMBA-ANSÓTEGUI:
Dr. Amelia Malagamba-Ansótegui is professor of Latino art history at the Department of Art and Art History, University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Malagamba-Ansótegui has intimate knowledge of this genre as an artist, as a fronteriza and as former director of the Department of Cultural Studies at El Colegio de la Frontera Norte (COLEF). Her work with Taller de Monotipia, Imágenes de la Frontera is an example of her efforts with artists along the border. Her scholarly work focuses on contemporary Chicano, Mexican and border visual culture and art.
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Thank you for supporting Roj Rodriguez, Dr. Amelia Malagamba-Ansótegui, and your local independent bookstore!