MEXICO CITY: JULIO GALÁN: PENSANDO EN TI
I read about “Julio Galán: Pensando en ti” in The News. The photos of Galán’s work in the article not only drew my attention but also the quote used by the reporter, “Andy Warhol once told the young Julio Galán that Galán would be greater than Christ.” Well I don’t know about that, BUT by age 21, the Coahuila, México prodigy had gotten an individual show at the Galeria de Arte Acual in Monterrey México. This guy was international too, New York, Paris, etc.
I have now seen this exhibit three time because I was totally taken aback by Galán’s use of color and often setting himself in the art with Mexican motifs, like retablos, calendars and signs — Brilliant. I liked the show so much I spent the bucks to buy the catalog – magnificent.
On my third run through I noted these words on a very sad Christ, grappling to stand, with eyes shut and with a crown of thorns (pictured above). The piece is titled, Mi Rey/My King and painted in 1992. I mentioned this to because the poetry written on this painting reads:
CUANDO QUIERAS QUITARME LA VIDA
CUANDO LLORES TAMBIEN PIENSA EN MI
PARA NADA ME SIRVE SIN TI
What I wish to point out is that these words were taken from a song titled “PIENSA EN MI” and sung by LUZ CASAL. It is part of a movie sound track of High Heels, by Pedro Almodovar. The movie was out in 1991 and the painting in 1992. So it looks like the movie, this song made a big impact to Julio Galán. In addition, in the movie Miguel Bose, another queen, but a famous one from Madrid sang this song in the movie, High Heels, but in DRAG and it being in 1991 it caused such a sandal in Spanish countries.
Exhibit Information:
Show runs through October 26, 2008,
Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso
Justo Sierra 16
Centro Histórico, México, City
Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM and admission is 45 pesos.
Exhibit is FREE on Tuesday for everyone. More information 5702-6378
This is located near the Zocalo behind the Cathedral.
Take Metro line #2. Get off at the Zocalo and walk a couple of blocks.
“Piensa en Mi” is a song originally recorded by his creator, Agustin lara in 1943.
Luz Casal did a great job with her version for the movie Tacones Lejanos.
Miguel Bose never actually sings the song in the movie, but lipsynchs to Luz Casal’s voice.
Love this piece by Julio Galan. Awesome artist gone too soon.
love the piece it shows so much too bad he had to leave so soon