Blythe Mariano
Downtown Sign
My name is Blythe Mariano and I am a Diné artist born/raised in New Mexico. My medium is calligraphy; in a traditional sense as well as abstract contemporary art. The piece I created for the 21 Motel sign was created with the community of that area in mind. The word “cultural” was my primary focus because in so many ways the gentrification of that neighborhood has changed the cultural dynamic. It’s a reminder as well as a statement to celebrate your culture and community. The quote was chosen because of its simplistic understanding of “cultura” and it ties the two sides of the sign together. I created the sign with its orientation in mind as one side has mountain ranges and plant life. The mountain rages are specific to me personally; (left to right) Corn Mountain, Churchrock Pyramid Peaks, Mount Taylor, and Shiprock. These landmarks all play a significant role in my traditions, culture, life, and connections. The Sandia Mountains in the background tie it all back to the community of Albuquerque with these gorgeous mountain ranges we see daily. The ties we have to our culture and landmarks is significant in so many ways and is what sets Albuquerque apart from anywhere else in the world. It is the shared uniqueness, traditions, and culture that make Albuquerque.
Gus Tafoya
Downtown Sign
These downtown signs are reflections on meetings. Given the signs proximity to the river and its position within the city, I wanted to explore how the sign could be a place of joining- where activity is concentrated and the drama, beauty and remarkableness of life is attracted.
The east side is a dialogue between people as they negotiate joining this activity. I wondered, what kinds of things are said here? And what would have been said years ago? I hope to depict these negotiations in the most relatable way- through nervousness from longing for familiar faces and promises made to go and meet there together.
The west side envisions an auspicious meeting in the desert, one that holds on the presence of the look between the two figures, rather than their words. And as the woman and the bull meet, so do the river and the arc of the sun.