Tuesday July 14th
Later I parked the van on front of the Verdugo bar, where the Mas Exitos night was taking place. Everything flowed in a special manner that night. I finally met Darin, whom I was trying to meet and had failed a couple of times already. Adrian, Jennifer and Ana was there also. One of the DJ’s, Aemon (aka Aeon Flux in my mind) hooked me up with a spot right in front of the entrance. Doorman Eddie was amused by having such a distinguished company. The van was ‘un exito’ and loads of people stepped in that night, including members of Ozomatli! We would be outside for a while hanging in the van, then we would go in to dance to the rhythm of cumbias (mas exitos is great, only vinyls!!!). Then we would step out again, take fresh air and chill out in the van.
Wednesday July 15th
I met Bettina Hubby and her dog, Belmer, in her hollywood studio. Bettina is a versatile artist who does amazing clothes and accessories from recycled garments, she constructs installations and realizes participatory projects. We traded a black blouse for a drawing i made in the spot. She has a pretty funky art collection, exclusively obtained by exchanging her fashion creations with artists. Bettina also gave me a huge bunch of wood hangers.
Matt, whom I met at mas exitos the night before, invited me to dinner in exchange of company and a conversation. We had a wonderful, specially prepared for us, meal cooked by his roomate Alberto at a Restaurant in Pasadena called Madeleine’s. We then went to his place where he played some of his own compositions in the piano and hanged out in the porch looking at the mountains. Matt came up with a name for the van: LA CHOLOTA. (Big chola).
Thursday July 16th
I met LACMA curator Rita Gonzalez, we exchanged books. I gave her the Marc Emery Almanac, and chose The art of Transition by Masiello in return. I then met Bill Kelley and we had a conversation about daytoday, we also agreed on exchanging transcription services for text writing.
In the evening I had dinner at Jessica Rath and Joe’s home in Echo Park. I met beautiful 2 year old Emma, ,and we became friends instantly. The fed me pasta a la bolognesa, made with organic beef from Jessica’s dad farm. I return I washed the plates and pots from the dinner, and we ended the evening having prosecco in the backyard.
Friday July 17th
FIRST DROP OF DAY
Was at the gallery all day working on the installation of objects. Asma had gave me a bunch of used clothes, and Bettina’s hangers proved useful for displaying the clothes for barter. Tait came over to finish the shark and paint LA CHOLOTA i the van’s back doors. Also Autum from the Echo Park Time Banks came and we could discuss about their experience with barter and community networking. Kristin also visited, and a few people cam in to leave objects for the big barter day. That evening I cooked platano lasagna for Tano, this in return for his help in La Cholota’s floor installation. Butchy joined us, and we enjoyed the Dodgers fireworks for dessert.
Saturday July 18th
More people cam in to leave stuff for the big barter day and for trading on the spot. I gave Luis a Marc Emery Almanac in return for a ride to the airport. Ari brought an organic italian squash from his garden, in exchange for seeds I was to bring from Puerto Rico. Emily Mast sent me a bread she had just baked at her own show in Chinatown. Amongst the objects brought in is a massage chair, nail polish, a 1979 playboy issue, a wooden sign that reads You Are The Sun and jelly candle. At six we attended Camilo and Neri’s opening at Steve Turner. After a few coronas I took of with Sandra de la Loza to a potlach party hosted by Ani M. Edith and Bob was there, and I met Hector who is hosting an anarchist talk next weekend. It was a very good party, I walked out with 3 pairs of earings, after dancing cumbia, salsa and flamenco the whole night long.
Sunday July 19th
I still don’t know how I made it, but in the morning I met Elana Mann, Vera and Coleen to join the LA Stairs walk in Silverlake. The walk people were running late, so we decided to do our own. It was a good two hour walking, looking for hidden public stairways in silverlake, pretty amazing architecture and views of the reservoir. It was pretty empowering to spend the morning with these young, smart and goodhearted woman. I love being a female. In the evening I hooked up with Artemio /who was passing by LA/ and friends. We ended up chillaxing in Alberto’s building pool. He took us up to the roof to enjoy a spectacular view of the city. We all desired the red knickerbocker light sign. ahhh. Got back at around 2 am to pack my stuff as my days at Dani and Asma’s place were over, and preparing for going to PR for a couple of days.
Monday July 20th
Luis picked me up at 5.30 in the morning and took me to the airport to catch my flight back home.
Tuesday July 21st – Wednesday July 22nd
Was in Puerto Rico with my daughter UNA.
Thursday July 23rd
Came back to Los Angeles. Jessica Rath picked me up, and I babysat little Emma for an hour and a half while Jessica and Joe went to El Chavo, a mexican joint near their house. I braided Emma’s hair and she was simply wonderful and mellow. My tiniest friend in LA so far. After that met Adrian and Pilar at the Betalevel in Chinatown. We then went to EastsideLuv, their local bar, where we saw Cava’s performance, she sings amazing rancheras, ska, cumbia and salsa. I also met Ruben Guevara and we talked intensily for a while, before going back home.
Friday July 24th
Went to JIM’S to breakfast sunrise burrito with Pilar and Adrian. Picked up the van and headed to the gallery. Met for lunch with Bill Kelley and he interviewed me for Latinart.com. I am to do the transcription in return of him writing a text about my work when I need it in the future. We signed an little contract stating the barter.