Photo-Ese

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August 18, 2000
For Immediate Release
Contacts:
John Leaños (lead artist) at 415-626-2518
Jaime Cortez or Gigi Otalvaro (Galería staff) 415-826-8009

One Last Mexican is Captured in the Mission
¡See his story at Galería de la Raza!

What: Ese - Last of his Tribe, a New digital mural at Galeria de la Raza
Where: On Bryant Street wall of Galería near the corner of 24th Street
When: Mural inauguration/interview with the last Mexican: Sat. Aug 26 @ 7pm
Mural Exhibit Dates: Sat, August 26 - Thur, September 21
Attn: Calendar, Visual Arts, City News

The year is 2002 and all the Mexicans have been cleared out of the Digital Zone (formerly known as the San Francisco Bay Area).

Or so everyone thought.

A living Mexican was discovered in the wilds of Dolores Park, living off berries, roots and crumbs of focaccia. His name is Ese, and he ended up living in Dolores Park when the studio apartment he shared with 3 others was reclassified from an apartment to an epartment with a corresponding rent increase. He could not afford the increase and ended up living a feral Mexican existence in the park.

The tragic story of Ese - Last of His Tribe will be chronicled on an outdoor digital mural located on the Bryant Street wall of Galería de la Raza (corner of 24th & Bryant). Ese himself will be on hand for interviews and audience Q&A on Saturday, August 26 at 7pm.

Ese was designed by muralist John Leaños in collaboration with Monica Praba Pilar, Rene Garcia, Gerardo Perez and Jaime Cortez. "Ese" is the third in a series of digital murals on the theme of genetrification and displacement. The series was curated at Galería de la Raza by John Leaños.

Galería de la Raza is one of the oldest community-based arts organizations in the country. Founded in 1970, Galería has sought to increase public awareness and appreciation of Chicano/Latino art and culture.

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