VISUAL ARTS + MUSEUMS

Presented by the Consulate General of Mexico, The Charrería, Mexican Pride and Tradition is an exhibition that allows the viewer to learn about one of the few Mexican traditions that are still passed on from generation to generation. Opening reception with the presence of the artist: August 26, 6 pm. On view in the Gallery space of the Consulate General of Mexico – 4506 Caroline St., 77004, August 26 -Oct. 8, 2010.

This exhibition by the Mexican photographer Julia Vizcarra is made up by 86, mostly black and white, photographs organized in four different segments. Each one has an information panel that guides the viewer step by step through the celebration of the Charrería depicting the various elements that compose each step.

These photographs that are not only beautiful but of great quality compose a traveling exhibit that will be shown at the Consulate General of Mexico during August and September and will continue touring in collaboration with Houston Center for Photography and Houston Grand Opera as part of the events surrounding the Mariachi Opera and the Bicentennial Celebrations.

Born in Mexico City, Julia Vizcarra was first introduced to photography as a child by her father, who was an admirer of journalism and daily life photography. She earned her Bachelor Degree in journalism from the Universidad de Periodismo Carlos Septién García in Mexico City and continued to focus on journalism and documental photography. Later on she carried out studies on Information Technology Management and continued work in that field. However, she was always involved with her true passion, performing photography projects.

In 2006 she decided to fully dedicate herself to photography, focusing on completing the projects that she had started during the previous years: Disability and Charrería. During that time she also founded her Photography Agency Documental Photography. In 2008 she produced a photodocumental for the indigenous communities in Oaxaca for Fondo para La Paz, an N.G.O. that works assisting the indigenous communities living in extreme poverty in Mexico.

Julia Vizcarra also collaborates as a documental photographer for the Fundación ANSeR Aquí Nadie Se Rinde A.C. where her photography is used during fund raising for children with cancer in Mexico. Currently she is participating in the project Brazadas por la Vida 2010. In 2009 she managed photographer Marco Antonio Cruz’s project Obscuridad Habitada for the Grange Prize 2009 International Award; this included the use of social media in the internet. The winner of the contest was determined by an open internet voting.

Julia Vizcarra’s photographs have been published in printed media such as Revista Proceso, ETN magazine, México Vibra en Miami, Revista Literaria Baquiana, PRONADIS Programa Nacional para el Desarrollo de las Personas con Discapacidad, INEGI Instituto Nacional de Estadística Geográfica e Informática, Fondo para la paz and in the book Hazlo Ahora, Hazlo Siempre.

Her work has also been published in electronic media such as the agency Cuarto Obscuro, the official site of the Federación Mexicana de Charrería, INTERNETON®, Boydeviaje, Twestival Mexico City, Fondo para la Paz and Mexican photographer Marco Antonio Cruz’s web site with the project Delicias del Maíz en las Delicias, Oaxaca.