Shadows and depth added on characters.

Its coming along. Click on image to see it bigger.

-Vico

Work in progress. Scroll down to see original drawing.

-Vico

This illustration concept and sketch came to me last “columbus day” in 2009. After some conversations with a few people I have decided to turn the original sketch into a digital illustration. Its coming along

-Vico

ticho kanih "We are crying"

The Mexica held a ritual in which group/communities of people would cry together as a way of group therapy. They would use this ritual as a way to bring themselves to a holistic balance. I found it important to communicate this message in relation to our current condition. It is important to see how other cultures use a natural bodily/spiritual function to reach a balance after traumatic/stressful/exciting experiences.

The western idea of crying is much more tainted by being associated with weakness and the feminine.

In this scene we see a group of men and women equally expressing an emotion that is as real and essential as laughing, and loving. Crying is not always bad but is sometimes essential to the cleansing of our inner selves.

-Vico

Crying Ritual Stage 2

Aztec Crying Ritual work in progress.

Work in progress.

It might be ready for the Accident Gallery… Hopefully

-Vico

Life & Death Aztec Gods Revival Illustration

Well Step 1 done. I have appropriated this Aztec image and in doing so have transferred it into a new and contemporary medium. Next step is to bring it to life and Animate it with Flash.

It has been a very powerful experience to carry on the Mexica tradition of scribing their Codices so that future generations can share in the knowledge and the traditions their obscure ancestors practiced. The more I think about the cause the more I am compelled to continue this body of work of saving an entire culture’s History from disappearing from the face of this earth. I see the tremendous value of converting many of these powerful images into a contemporary medium like digital illustration and animation in order to make these images even more accessible to younger generations that have only experienced living in a world that is over saturated with mass media, computers, and internet. The afore mentioned media will be vital to be able to deliver the message to younger generations who are now inevitably connected to each other globally through this new wave of Social Media sites that have been a great vehicle for the spreading of information around the world.

-Vico

Happy Mexican Independence Day!

Remember that the struggle to true freedom is ongoing. La Conquista is still being sought. It is up to us all to pursue true freedom, happiness, and good health for all humanity and organisms around the cosmos. On day’s like these its good to reflect on where we have come from, what struggles our ancestors struggled through for our well being. I now better than ever understand what has happened… I can see the great strives we have accomplished as a society in these last 500 years or so but never the less I am painfully hurt by the scars of time that have not yet began to heal. Today as I reflect on the Mexican independence which is very dear to me I feel an inner struggle raging deep in my Soul. On one hand I am happy for the day when Dolores Hidalgo Declared Mexican Independence over the tyrannical rule of Spain… On the other hand I am sad to see the current status of most Mexican peoples who are at odds with an inefficient government that is still waging a race/class war on its people through ideological, spiritual, militaristic means. When I say most people that is exactly what it is. The rich and affluent in Mexican Society as in many “first world” societies do not need to worry about the problems most people in the middle to poor classes have to worry about, the reason being is that the balance is overwhelmingly tipped in their favor….

I am happy for the people of Mexico, but I am not happy about the current status of Mexican government for it shows to be no more than an extension of the colonial arms of Europe. I stand in solidarity with the Native, Meztisos, Caucasians, Blacks, Asian, & Middle Easteners who understand that we are all brothers and sisters in a struggle for a free humanity. I respect and honor the rights of all indigenous people’s of Mexico and all of the rest around the World, I believe they have a right to continue their traditions and culture as their ancestors did…As we continue to do. I believe in their autonomy and freedom from state sponsored persecution which they have suffered since the day Columbus set his eye sight on “America.”

So let me end with these words. May we continue to wage our struggle for independence from colonial forces that exist to this very day, so that maybe one day our descendants will be celebrating a true independence day.

Viva La Gente!

-Vico

“Famously, the city of Tenochtitlan endures,
Bringing glory on itself;
Oh, you princes,
As He the one God, commands you, His sons,
Let no one fear the beautiful death.
Whose efforts will truly gain
The mat of the shield, the honored place of the arrows of God?
Think of this, remember it, you, princes,
Who can disturb the city of Tenochtitlan?
Who can shake the foundations of heaven?

Long live Tenochtitlan!”

Nahua Poet ( One generation before the Arrival of Cortes to the valley of Mexico)