Border Heritage Magazine No. 61

torial

The ninth month of the year is accompanied by the traditional national holidays. Every year at BH we make room for this month because of the celebrations throughout Mexico as part of the heritage we have acquired.

The colors of the streets are filled with the sale of allegorical objects such as the tricolor flags, which is one of the aspects that are experienced during these days; we also begin to enjoy the chiles en Nogada of the season; and that of heart of the weather that begins to make the change in our region. During the month of September, several important events are celebrated in Mexico, such as the commemoration of the 213th anniversary of the beginning of Mexico's Independence, one of the most deeply rooted celebrations among Mexicans.

As part of these festivities, we wanted to include in our cover a Mexican woman with a lot of history, such as Frida Kahlo, recognized for her famous self-portraits, this Mexican painter qualified as part of the surrealist movement. Today, she is considered a Mexican folk heroine, she has become an emblem of determination and female power, despite the multitude of challenges she faced throughout her life.

And we travel to one of the most attractive corners of Mexico, Puerto Vallarta in the state of Jalisco. The natural beauty of the area is incomparable. From its blue waters to its exuberant jungles and majestic mountains, Puerto Vallarta has something for nature-loving travelers. In this Edition we took on the task of talking with two characters, Lyuba and Aleksander Titovets who, as fate would have it, came to settle in this border to show their art and raise the cultural level of our region.

In addition to our usual themes, we celebrated one more year of life for BH, and we thank all those who joined us in this celebration. We hope that this September will be full of celebrations for all our readers and that you will enjoy our pages; as usual, we do it with pleasure and satisfaction in each of the images and stories that we describe here.

My thanks and gratitude as always,

El noveno mes del año viene acompañado con las tradicionales fiestas patrias. Cada año en BH damos cabida a este mes por las celebraciones que se realizan en todo México como parte de la herencia que hemos adquirido.

Los colores de las calles se llenan de venta de objetos alegóricos como las banderas tricolores, que es uno de los aspectos que se viven en estos días; también ya se comienzan a disfrutar de los chiles en Nogada de la temporada; y que de corazón del clima que comienza a hacer el cambio en nuestra región. Durante el mes de septiembre se celebran diversas efemérides en México, importantes como lo es la conmemoración de 213 años del inicio de la Independencia de México, uno de los festejos con más arraigo entre los mexicanos.

EComo parte de estos festejos quisimos incluir en nuestra portada a una mujer en mexicana con mucha historia, como lo fue Frida Kahlo, reconocida por sus famosos autorretratos, pintora mexicana calificada como parte del movimiento surrealista. Hoy en día, es considerada una heroína popular mexicana, se ha convertido en un emblema de la determinación y el poder femenino, a pesar de la multitud de desafíos que enfrentó a lo largo de su vida.

Y viajamos a uno de los rincones más atractivos de México, como lo es Puerto Vallarta en el estado de Jalisco. La belleza natural de la zona es incomparable. Desde sus aguas azules hasta sus exuberantes selvas y majestuosas montañas, Puerto Vallarta tiene algo para los viajeros amantes de la naturaleza.

En esta edición nos dimos a la tarea de platicar con dos personajes, ellos son Lyuba y Aleksander Titovets quienes, por cuestiones del destino, llegaron a establecerse en esta frontera para mostrar su arte y elevar el nivel cultural de nuestra región.

Además de estos nuestros temas acostumbrados, festejamos un año más de vida para BH, y agradecemos a todos los que nos acompañaron en dicha celebración. Esperamos que este septiembre venga cargado de celebraciones para todos nuestros lectores y disfruten nuestras páginas; como es costumbre, lo hacemos con el gusto y satisfacción en cada una de las imágenes y las historias que aquí le describimos.

Mi agradecimiento y gratitud como siempre, Carmen

Agradecemos la colaboración de Karla Olivas en esta portada, parte escencial de la figura de la mujer mexicana, como tributo a Frida Kahlo. Un agradecemiento especial a la excelente fotografía de Felix Rubio en la realización de esta portada.

Más allá de la línea

Dr. Jean Louis Bingna, Príncipe Bantú de Camerún

Un Viaje desde África hacia la Construcción de la Paz en Ciudad Juárez y El Paso, Texas.

Con el objetivo de brindar un mensaje de paz, el Dr. Jean Louis Bingna, príncipe de Bantú de Camerún, estuvo en esta frontera donde impartió la conferencia «Gestionando la paz y dejando huella» en el Museo de Arqueología e Historia de El Chamizal. frente a un público interesado y emocionado por las palabras que transmitió el Principe para así poder comentar y alentar a la población, se puede llegar a resolver conflictos sin llegar a la violencia. .

Además de su visita a Ciudad Juárez, visitó El Paso, Texas donde se le recibió en un cóctel por la empresaria Cecilia Levin, como un gesto de agradecimiento a ambas comunidades.

BY: M.A JOSHUA CUELLAR

The legacy of Dr. Jean Louis Bingna, the Bantu Prince of Cameroon, reaches beyond borders into Ciudad Juárez, where he advocates for holistic peace. His emphasis on education as a counter to violence and family as a stability pillar resonates in a city that has faced challenges. His Nobel Peace Prize nomination highlights his unrelenting commitment to equity. Made possible by the USMC Strategic Alliance Foundation, his visit connects communities and underscores the significance of respect and solidarity on the path to a brighter future.

El legado del Dr. Jean Louis Bingna, Príncipe Bantú de Camerún, trasciende fronteras hasta Ciudad Juárez, donde promueve una paz integral. Su énfasis en la educación como antídoto contra la violencia y, en la familia como pilar de estabilidad, resuena en una ciudad que ha enfrentado desafíos. Su nominación al Premio Nobel de la Paz subraya su incansable compromiso con la equidad. Su visita, posible gracias a la Fundación USMC Strategic Alliance, conecta a comunidades y resalta la importancia del respeto y la solidaridad en el camino hacia un futuro mejor.

PHOTO: GABRIELA VALDEZ EL PASO, TEXAS

LYUBA & ALEKS ANDER TITO VETS

Lyuba grew up in St. Petersburg, Russia. She started her private painting lessons at the age of five and at seven, she was selected for the Children's Art Club in Leningrad, now St. Petersburg. She went on to the State University in St. Petersburg and received a BA and MFA in the College of Fine Arts.

Lyuba's colorful still-life works are based on intricate settings she arranges in her studio. They demonstrate an appreciation of color harmony, which translates into imaginative figurative works. Lyuba's style is reminiscent of her country's charming folk traditions.

Her subject matter is primarily drawn from her vivid imagination, although she often makes use of old books and photographs to enhance her ideas. She describes her paintings as too symbolic to be realistic and too realistic to be symbolic. Since arriving to the United States from Russia, Lyuba has received numerous awards and honors.

She competed in the National Oil Painters of America competition and has been displayed at the Great American Artists exhibition in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the Westminster Abbey show in London. Notably, Lyuba is included in the Archive of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C. Lyuba's work is in public and private collections in the United States and many other countries. She has illustrated several books and contributed to the Sketch Book Confidential: Secrets of the Master Artists, by Northern Light books in Cincinnati, OH (2011). Lyuba has also been included in the El Paso Museum of Art's "Desert Modern and Beyond Exhibition". Art from 1960 to the Present exhibition and book (Summer 2012).

LYUBA TITOVETS

At Border Heritage we were honored to be able to talk with Lyuba and Aleksander Titovets, who have lived in El Paso, Texas for more than 30 years, and this is what they had to say:

How many years have you been in this artistic activity?

Lyuba: I started when I was five years old my parents were engineers but they always loved art and saw that I enjoyed it, so I had my first private teacher when I was five years old. He took me to a specialized school of arts that existed during Soviet Russia in St. Petersburg. It was a part-time school where you went three times a week and refined your skills, I really enjoyed it. It prepped me at a college level prior to going to university which I later was grateful for.

Aleksander: Growing up with talent and skills it is easy to complement everything and feel like you’re an artist already. But when you take on professional studies there are subjects like composition, drawing, art history, etc. and one grows into a structure that creates an actual artist. I remember when I was 17 and 18 years old I was already at the level of being a commercial artist, I was enlisted in the army where I was an artist creating murals and more. I came back from the army and went to a commercial studio and I assumed the role of being a artist. When I was 20-21 years old in the studio, I was with older people between the ages of 50-60 and they would look at my work and tell me that I knew how to do this, and to go study and become a fine artist.

Lyuba: So those words make you feel good and force you to work hard and to learn and train yourself well, to study more, they teach you to discover yourself; he had very good teachers and so did I and we had good experiences.

Now when you exhibit it is a profoundly crucial role, especially in the United States. We started at the same time; there you work with a structure that they give you step by step. We went to university he was older in graduate school because he started later and so he continued and that is when we met.

Aleksander: We worked a lot after we got married and that's when I was teaching at the same university as an assistant professor together with my teacher in painting classes and Lyuba teach art history, it was very serious and also organized the new department which is called The History of Culture, it was philosophy, history, art, music, it was a very interesting and exciting project. Lyuba was part of visual arts, and also worked in the theater.

We came in 1992 to the United States and thanks to the people who really helped us and guided us here in El Paso, Juarez and Las Cruces, we could tell you that in a couple of years, we achieved the whole "American dream".

Why did you choose to stay in El Paso?

Lyuba: My relatives lived here, so it was easier to stay together. Also because we found major sponsors who cared about us and supported us. We didn’t have many options and we set roots here.

Aleksander: St. Petersburg commerce is hugely different, it is extremely different. El Paso was new and foreign but we had opportunities here so we stayed and haven’t looked back since.

Do you have a family?

Lyuba: We have two daughters, they were born here, and one of them lives in Scottsdale, Arizona; she is working for a big high-tech company, it's a global company, a big international company.

Our other daughter lives here, both of them are very creative, and can paint. They could follow like us but they choose other pass, Nina, our youngest daughter, chose to be a fine art photographer and at the same time she works for a local company in social media management. She manages advertising and organizes various events for the company.

What has been the most interesting city to exhibit in? What is your mission?

Aleksander: I don't see that every day someone comes to ask this question, I don't know, for me it's almost like a living day by day you have some interest today or you have interest tomorrow it's almost like I don't know, today I like a sunny day, tomorrow it won't be, but it's based on what is my interest in life, because being an artist, it's not a profession it's a way of life, for me - I try to find within nature something of calmness and some reason, and let's say harmony, harmony already exists it doesn't matter but to give a chance to some people that they start to think a little bit that there is more than basic needs that I provide with painting that I see myself quite happy I don't feel that I changed the world but if somebody starts to be interested and look in the direction as I am, what I do or how I do it, I start to think that I will be very happy for all these. Because art in general gives another dimension to the world.

Lyuba: We always say that you can live without art, but with art, you can live much better, one thing that fascinates me is how it connects with the past, so I will give you an example. I paint pomegranates, and they are 3000 years old and some people say Eve had pomegranate not an apple, so I have the pomegranate in my garden and that's the same fruit that was in so many stories for thousands of years.

It's very interesting and I'm trying to connect these things as I'm showing you right now. This painting, which I'm working now is a setting of the old Texas house it's different but very similar at the same time: beginning of life feels the same. On the other hand, I really like the idea of the seasons and we will go through it during the day, through the year, and through our life. Another example would be the one that you saw with the fall flowers and golden background. That is autumn, I am doing it the same way with my figurative painting, so, it's about meaning of life.

Do you consider yourselves famous figures?

Aleksander: We cannot answer the question because it's none of our business. Okay, knowing that is a great point because the idea is that, if you face a famous person knowing that it is you, that you're on top, but it just comes down. We still desire or claim to be on top, there is this wonderful expression, the starving part of the artist, the artist is actually not starving for food because if you're hungry you just think about food, you didn't do anything, you're starving; for example, you have a sudden idea and you're struggling with how to really express it, how to put it on the canvas until you see it, because again, even something like this wasn't constant, you can't see it and paint it, you need to feel it. Think about your idea, what is important to you there, how you will combine it all, what you feel when or how you feel it, and then you come to express your feelings, which you can't touch, but here you need to create something. In your question we need to be loved by everybody, we do not need to, we are not like the new $100 bills.

Do you have new projects and have you been in Marfa, TX?

Aleksander: Yes, we’ve been to Marfa, TX, it's a different place and viewpoint artistically, it’s more conceptual art— we’re in a different world

Yes, we are lucky to always have new projects whether commissions from an interior designer to painting new works for one of our galleries. Currently we are working on a project for our gallery in Santa Fe, NM. Our summer has been primarily painting which when you love it doesn’t really feel like work and we never take that for granted.

Thank you very much!

You are welcome to browse our website titovetsarts.com

BY: BORDER HERITAGE

PHOTO: GABRIELA VALDEZ EL PASO, TEXAS

ALEKSANDER TITOVETS

Siberian born, Aleksander received his Masters in Fine Arts from St. Petersburg University College of Fine Arts. His classical art skills reflect the Russian School of Oil Painting, a style that combines a powerful realistic movement with the soft, lyrical looseness of impressionism. Another vital aspect to his paintings, which is beautifully translated in his figurative pieces, is his unceasing determination to capture, in his own words, the graciousness of the soul. Although some of Aleksander's recent work is influenced by his surroundings in the desert southwest, some of his images are still inspired by his Russian homeland. His reserve of some 100 sketches, precious documents of earlier travels, is the basis for these nostalgic creations. “Like all artists, I am more comfortable painting what I know,” explains Aleksander. Through his visual creation of the physical depths of shadow and light within his landscapes, one can feel the grace inspired by such exquisite translations of natural beauty.

Aleksander has participated in competitions with the National Academy of Design in New York and the Oil Painters of America. He has won Best of Show six times in the International Fine Art Competition. The Salon d’arts Invitational Fine Art Exhibition in Denver, Colorado featured his artwork. For many years running, he has been selected as guest for Artist of America national invitational exhibition, which honored him in 1998 with the Artist’s Choice Award. At the National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society, he received the Monteverde Commemorative Award. Of his most prestigious honors, Aleksander was chosen by the Smithsonian to paint First Lady Laura Bush’s portrait for the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. This painting was the initial portrait that opened the “First Ladies Gallery” there. In October 2010, the El Paso International Museum of Art inducted Aleksander into The Artists’ Hall of Fame.

He was also selected for the exclusive article, “Color Magicians” among six other artists by “Art of the West” in December 2010. His thoughts and works were published in “Sketch Book Confidential: Secrets of the Master Artists,” by Northern Light Books in Cincinatti, OH,  2011. Aleksander has also been included in the El Paso Museum of Art’s “Desert Modern and Beyond. Art from 1960 to the Present” exhibition and book, Summer 2012. He had a solo exhibition at the El Paso Museum of Art entitled, “Past and Present” (2014). His work and name have appeared in many publications, such as Best of Portrait Painting, Art of the West, Art-Talk, Southwest Art, and International Artist, which described Aleksander as “one of America’s leading impressionistic painters.” His paintings are included in public and private collections worldwide, including those of Sophia Loren and the King of Spain, His Majesty Juan Carlos.

VANGUARDIA, DISEÑO & DISTINCIÓN DE INTERIORES,

VANESSA CORRAL

Profiles

Vanessa Corral graduated from California State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Architectural Design. She began her career as a professional in 2010 and since then, has worked in the interior design field with various California based design firms and well-known brands such as Ethan Allen.

Her experience has helped her thrive in the design community and now represents Bassett Furniture, one of the best brands in the west side of El Paso, which is dedicated to fashionable and innovative home furniture.

For Vanessa, it has been delightful to work with El Paso community. "Although I was born in California, I lived in Delicias, Chihuahua for 17 years and since I moved to El Paso, I feel like I’m back home." The work Vanessa has done as an interior designer has led her clients to have confidence in her. "Here in El Paso, I have done residential interior design.

My task is to decorate and design spaces in entire homes that are functional and stylish.” Matching taste in terms of style, character, and space is not an easy task, although for Vanessa it is one of her passions.

"For me, the secret is in listening to the client. Communication is fundamental and important. I always let my clients know that the design process is teamwork. It is not about implementing my style, on the contrary, as a designer you must take in consideration your clients' needs and dynamics in order to achieve a design concept that realizes function and aesthetic for the space”.

Achieving optimum quality and capturing the client's taste requires a well-thought-out process. "Definitely an interior designer must be trained to understand the client’s vision and it is my responsibility to make the vision come true.”

The greatest satisfaction for Vanessa is to create a finished look and to see her clients satisfied with the end result. “It makes me so happy when my clients reach out to me and let me know how much they love their new space and how they look forward to get home every day”.

After the pandemic, the interior design industry has been affected in multiple aspects. In terms of obtaining furniture and accessories, it has been quite difficult, but not impossible. “It’s fundamental and necessary to maintain my clients up to date with the project process. This ensures accuracy in communication and a more efficient work-flow”.

Finally, Vanessa is very excited for her future in El Paso. “I would like to establish a future as an Interior Designer here in El Paso... I'm so glad that social media can help me introduce myself to this industry; and in the future, I would love to start my own business and offer Interior Design services to El Paso community

Graduada de California State University en Bellas Artes y Diseño Arquitectónico. Vanessa Corral comienza su carrera como profesionista desde el 2010, y ha venido desempeñando su talento dentro de la rama de diseño de interiores. Unos años le bastaron para que Vanessa trabajara en el estado de California en algunas marcas reconocidas como Ethan Allen. Su experiencia y permanecía le han servido para llegar a desempeñarse en esta comunidad; ahora representa una de las mejores marcas, la mueblería Basset que se dedica al interiorismo fino y con clase en el oeste de El Paso.

Para Vanessa estar en esta ciudad ha sido un reto el trabajar y adentrarse en el mundo del diseño en esta comunidad y a su vez satisfactorio ya que asegura con gusto encontrarse con un trato amable por parte de esta comunidad. Vanessa originaria de California, recuerda sus vivencias dentro del estado de Chihuahua. “Aunque nací en California, yo crecí en Delicias, estuve ahí hasta los 17 años y ahora me encuentro en casa, aquí en El Paso, ya que parte de mi familia emigró hace algunos años a esta frontera”.

Los trabajos que ha realizado como diseñadora de interiores le han llevado a que sus clientes tengan confianza en ella. “Aquí en El Paso hemos realizado diseño de interiores residencial, mi tarea es decorar y diseñar espacios en casas completas, los clientes me han tenido confianza por lo que presento todas las áreas”.

un buen oído, cuál es su dinámica, los colores que buscan, escuchar sus necesidades y con esto pensamos en el funcionamiento que va a tener un espacio determinado”.

Para conseguir una óptima calidad y captar el gusto del cliente se requiere procesar su sensibilidad. “Definitivamente un diseñador de interiores debe formarse para entender la psicología del cliente, nos toca ser mediadores, es importante tratar de llegar a un acuerdo para poder entender el estilo del cliente. En lo que se refiere de obtener muebles y artículos para la decoración ha sido bastante difícil en esta industria, después de la pandemia, porque los procesos para que llegue el material y el diseño y explicar el proceso con el que se va a trabajar ahora son más lentos y es necesario ser claro y honesto con los clientes”

La mayor satisfacción para Vanessa, la decoración al ver ya terminado el trabajo es aprovechar los espacios, y ver como con esto ver a sus clientes contentos “Que el cliente sea feliz, que llegue a su casa feliz de tener estos espacios y estar cómodo y se sienta bien en su casa y verlos satisfechos con mi asesoría”

Por último, le preguntamos que desea en un futuro y así nos respondió. “Poder ver mi trabajo completo sin que falte detalle para posesionarme como una de las mejores diseñadoras de Interiores, actualmente y para nuestro beneficio nos ayudan las redes sociales a proyectarnos, hoy en día son importantes; y a futuro me gustaría poder colocar mi propio negocio y ofrecer servicios sobre consultoría de Decoración de interiores, aquí en El Paso”.

El conjuntar el gusto en cuanto a estilo, carácter y espacios, no es una tarea sencilla, aunque para Vanessa es una de sus pasiones. “Para mí el secreto está en escuchar al cliente, la comunicación es fundamental, siempre les hago saber que es un trabajo en equipo, no se trata de implementar mi estilo, al contrario, como diseñadora debes tener @vlcinteriordesign

BY: BORDER HERITAGE

PHOTO: GABRIELA VALDEZ EL PASO, TEXAS

Heritage FRIDA KAHLO

The Kahlo-Calderón family was originally settled in Veracruz, after his marriage, they moved to the famous house in Coyoacán.

Frida's Interesting life was short, only 47 years old; full of intense emotions, and always accompanied by her first passion, painting. From early age she inherited from her father the optical eye to observe, which led him to be a well-known photographer of the late Porfiriato era, always observing, looking for the best angle and the movement of light; he became the first official photographer of Porfirio Diaz and left us many valuable photographs that show us the depth of his observation.

Freda, as was her original German name before being Mexicanized as Frida, inherited that observation of things and captured everything she saw, lived, and felt. This was her great contribution to art, as she not only painted but expressed an inner world full of emotions and projected a unique story in each work. Her mentor was Diego Rivera, and from that Sunday's visit to the Kahlo family home in Coyocan, where she discovered and eventually told him, "I was always looking for the best angle, the best angle and the movement of light. Freducha, your painting is unique, I paint what I see, but you paint what you feel.

He told her that she was self-taught, that she did not need painting courses and indeed she did not study art or painting; Rivera studied in Rome, Paris, and at the San Carlos Academy. The fact that Rivera, considered the best muralist of his time, was the one who valued and encouraged her, had a magical effect on Frida's work; her expressive art left us a legacy that shows us that it is possible to express oneself, even if the body does not make things easy. The victim of an accident when she was young, she was bedridden several times throughout her life; she resisted the effects of more than a dozen operations that always affected her physique. Frida's life is that of a person who could not use her body due to her disabilities and who from her heart struggled all her life to express herself, to reflect her suffering in painting, and to use her surroundings to express her desire to live intensely.

He enjoyed painting his body, his eyes were joined by painting his eyebrows and he felt like a swallow years later he wrote "pies para que los quiero? si tengo alas pa' volar 1953" (what do I want my feet for? If I have wings to fly? 1953). Currently, he continues to amaze us at how one hundred years after his work he is still an example to follow, for his love of Mexican traditions, the fiestas, the burning of the Judas, asking for a posada, and the innumerable traditions.

Frida is an expression of Mexican culture, the way she wore her clothes, always dressed in indigenous clothing. She had a taste for flowers and for decorating her hair with them, she expressed that she felt like a bird circling the flowers; then she painted a picture with flying animals, hummingbirds, birds, and even more, parrots, parakeets, and pigs. We still marvel at the smell of fruits and her way of presenting them in her paintings. All these magic expresses like no one else a wonderful and surreal Mexico. She has a painting full of open fruits and a little doll and writes "the girl who is scared to see life open". with a message, always with a message. Frida was the first, she came before all of them; before Ollin, Leonora Harrington, Sofia Basi. She expressed herself as no one else had done and today she continues to inspire millions of women to participate in society and contribute as Frida did.

We can only imagine the intensity of her life. For a moment we can see all the great actors of the thirties, forties, and fifties who enjoyed the friendship of Frida and Diego. Diego with his European friendships, the time he lived in Paris. Intense and explosive friendships with Picasso, Manet, Renoir, Lenin, and his relationship with Angelina Beloff. Years later Frida will also be in Paris, in the Latin Quarter area; there she was with the intellectuals discussing heatedly in Saint-Germain des pres in Les Deux Magots with André Breton, Paul Elouard, Camus, Jean-Paul Sartre, Andre Malrux and many more.

Frida is a creative person and left us with a great, unique, innovative painting. Andre Breton told her that Mexico was the surrealist country par excellence, and that Frida was the mother of surrealism in Mexico, to this she only answered that she only wanted to paint. Her friendship with Maria Felix was the most special of her relationships, from a very long list that includes the photographer Tina Modotti, also painter Nahui Olin, Dolores del Rio, Paulette Goddard, David Siqueiros, Andre Breton; and the list goes on, but let's not forget her torrid romance with Leon Trotsky, the controversial communist of whom much is also written about.

And I leave a painting of Trotsky, where you see two open curtains next to the leader and the idea that she opened her life to Trotsky, with a message once again. She left us many paintings, in great collections; today we can see the two Fridas in the art museum and as a symbol of this great painting full of ideas, two Fridas in contradiction, one in love with Diego and the other struggling to let go, great expression of surrealism, suffering, love, and passion. This was and still is our eternal Frida Kahlo.

Magdalena Carmen

Frida Kahlo Calderón: fue hija del fotógrafo alemán nacionalizado mexicano Guillermo Kahlo y de la mexicana, Matilde Calderón, una nativa de Oaxaca.

Las pinturas de Frida Kahlo son obras de material autobiográfico, que juntan la fantasía y el realismo mágico con los eventos de su vida, una muestra de la evolución del arte en su país.

Frida Kahlo was a Mexican painter, recognized for her famous self-portraits, described as part of the surrealist movement.

La interesante vida de Frida fue breve, tan solo 47 años; llena de intensas emociones y siempre acompañada de su primera pasión, la pintura. desde niña hereda de su padre el ojo óptico para observar, para él lo llevo a ser un conocido fotógrafo de la época de finales del porfiriato, siempre observando, buscando el mejor ángulo y el movimiento de la luz; se convirtió en el primer fotógrafo oficial de Porfirio Díaz y nos dejó una gran cantidad de valiosas fotografías que nos muestran la profundidad de su observación.

Freda, como era su nombre original en alemán antes de mexicanizarse por el de Frida heredo esa observación de las cosas y capto todo lo que veía, vivía y sentía. esta fue su gran aportación al arte, no solo pintaba, sino que expresaba un mundo interno lleno de emociones, proyectaba una historia única en cada obra. su mentor fue diego rivera, desde aquella visita un domingo a la casa de la familia Kahlo en Coyoacán, en la descubrió y con el tiempo le decía: “Freducha tu pintura es única, yo pinto lo que veo, pero tu pintas lo que sientes”. Le decía que ella era autodidacta, que no necesito cursos de pintura y efectivamente no estudio ni arte ni pintura; rivera estudio en Roma, Paris y en la academia de San Carlos.

El hecho de que rivera, considerado el mejor muralista de su época fuera quien la valorara e impulsara tuvo un efecto mágico en la obra de Frida; su expresivo arte nos dejó un legado que nos muestra que es posible expresarse, aunque el cuerpo no facilite las cosas.

Víctima de un accidente de joven, quedo postrada varias veces en su cama a lo largo de su vida; resistió los efectos de más de una docena de operaciones que le afectaron siempre su físico. la vida de Frida es la de una persona que no podía usar su cuerpo debido a sus incapacidades y que desde su corazón lucho toda la vida por expresarse, reflejar su sufrimiento en la pintura y usar sus alrededores para expresar su deseo de vivir intensamente. gozaba de pintarse su cuerpo, los ojos los juntaba pintando sus cejas y se sentía golondrina y años después escribió “¿ Pies para que los quiero? si tengo alas pa’ volar”, 1953 en esta época nos maravilla como a cien años de su obra aún sigue siendo un ejemplo para seguir, por su amor por las tradiciones mexicanas, las fiestas, la quema de los judas, pedir posada y las innumerables tradiciones.

Frida es una expresión de la cultura mexicana, la manera que usaba la ropa, siempre vestida con indumentaria indígena.

Tenía un gusto por las flores y por adornar su pelo con ellas, expresaba que se sentía un ave dándole vueltas a las flores; después pintaba un cuadro con animales volando, colibríes, pájaros y más aún, papagayos, pericos, changos. Todavía nos maravilla el olor de las frutas y su forma de presentarlas en las pinturas. toda esta magia que expresa como nadie un México maravilloso y surrealista. tiene un cuadro lleno de frutas abiertas y una pequeña muñeca y escribe “La niña que se asusta de ver la vida abierta”. Con mensaje, siempre con mensaje.

Frida fue la primera, llego antes que todas; antes que Ollin, Leonora Harrington, Sofia Basi. se expresó como nadie lo había hecho y hoy sigue inspirando a millones de mujeres a participar en la sociedad y aportar como lo hizo Frida. Solo podemos imaginar la intensidad de su vida. Por un momento podemos ver todos los grandes actores de los años treinta, cuarenta y cincuenta que disfrutaron la amistad de Frida y Diego.

Diego con sus amistades europeas, la época de que vivió en Paris. amistades intensas y explosivas con Picasso, Manet, Renoir, con Lenin, su relación con Angelina Beloff. años después Frida también estará en Paris, en la zona del barrio latino; ahí estaba con los intelectuales discutiendo acaloradamente en Saint-Germain des pres en Les Deux Magots con André Breton, Paul Elouard, Camus, Jean Paul Sartre, Andre Malrux y muchos más. Frida es una persona creativa y nos dejó una gran pintura, única, innovadora. Andre Breton le comentaba que México era el país surrealista por excelencia y que Frida era la madre del surrealismo en México, a esto ella solo contestaba que solo quería pintar.

Su amistad con María Félix fue la más especial de sus relaciones, de una lista muy larga que incluyen a la fotógrafa Tina Modotti, también pintora Nahui Olin, Dolores del Rio, Paulette Goddard, David Siqueiros, Andre Breton; y la lista continua, pero no olvidemos su tórrido romance con León Trotsky el controvertido comunista de quien también se escribe mucho. y dejo una pintura de Trotsky, donde se ven dos cortinas abiertas junto al líder y la idea que ella le abrió su vida a Trotsky, con mensaje una vez más. Nos dejó muchas pinturas, en grandes colecciones; hoy podemos ver las dos Fridas en el museo de arte y como símbolo de esta gran pintura llena de ideas, dos Fridas en contradicción, una enamorada de diego y otra que lucha por soltarse, gran expresión de surrealismo, de sufrimiento, de amor y pasión. Esto fue y sigue siendo nuestra eterna Frida Kahlo.

Durante su vida y carrera artística, rescató las raíces del arte popular mexicano, a través de su arte, su vestimenta e ideologías.

BY: BORDER HERITAGE

PHOTO: FELIX RUBIO EL PASO, TEXAS

Kool & the Gang to

headline at University Medical Foundation of El Paso Fundraiser

This Fall, University Medical Center Foundation of El Paso (the Foundation) will host one of our region’s most exciting and memorable fundraising events, “Celebrate with Kool & the Gang.”

“This inaugural fundraiser is an opportunity to be part of something transformative," Abigail Tarango, Ph.D., Executive Director, emphasized. “We invite businesses and the community to rally together for a cause that impacts us all.”

All proceeds will go directly to building and sustaining a local system of care for persons fighting cancer without them having to leave El Paso – a first for our growing community. The event will be held on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at the historic Plaza Theatre in beautiful Downtown El Paso.

A cancer diagnosis can quickly and dramatically change a person's prospects in life. Many patients face financial challenges, debilitating illness, job loss, anxiety, depression, and limited resources.

Through unwavering philanthropic efforts and advocacy for the continuity of care for cancer patients, the Foundation directly supports the University Medical Center of El Paso (UMC of El Paso), the region's sole not-for-profit hospital and primary care system, serving all people who come to seek services, regardless of their ability to pay.

To address the needs of the community, the Foundation continually enhances its services and expands its partnerships with local businesses and other organizations to bring high-quality health care.

In turn, by providing leading-edge research, lifesaving care, and state-of-the-art facilities, UMC of El Paso is able to help patients bridge the equity gap to face their once insurmountable barriers and get the treatment they need. Cancer Care Services are designed to reduce anxiety and financial burden among patients, increase adherence to treatment plans, and improve the quality of life for patients and their loved ones.

“Community engagement is essential to meet the needs of our patients when they need it the most,” added Dr. Tarango. "Together, we can be a beacon of hope for those who need it most. With each ticket to ‘Celebrate with Kool & the Gang,’ you're not just attending an event – you're becoming part of a movement that transforms lives.”

Mark your calendar, spread the word, and be ready to embrace an evening that will resonate far beyond the event itself. Join us on October 26, 2023, at the Plaza Theatre, and be part of a movement that is rewriting the story of cancer care in our community. Your presence is a beacon of hope, and your support is the catalyst for change

Este otoño, University Medical Center Foundation of El Paso organizará uno de los eventos de recaudación de fondos más emocionantes y memorables de nuestra región, "Celebrate with Kool & the Gang".

“Esta recaudación de fondos inaugural es una oportunidad para ser parte de algo transformador", enfatizó Abigail Tarango, Ph.D., Directora Ejecutiva. "Invitamos a las empresas y a la comunidad a unirse por una causa que es de impacto para todos".

Todos los fondos recaudados se destinarán directamente a construir y mantener un sistema local de atención para las personas que luchan contra el cáncer sin que tengan que abandonar El Paso, un esfuerzo nuevo para nuestra creciente comunidad. El evento se llevará a cabo el día jueves 26 de octubre del 2023 en el histórico Plaza Theatre ubicado en el hermoso centro de El Paso.

Un diagnóstico de cáncer puede cambiar rápida y dramáticamente las perspectivas de una persona en la vida. Muchos pacientes enfrentan desafíos financieros, enfermedades debilitantes, pérdida de empleo, ansiedad, depresión y recursos limitados.

A través de esfuerzos filantrópicos inquebrantables, la continuidad en el cuidado y atención médica para los pacientes con cáncer, UMC Foundation apoya directamente a University Medical Center of El Paso (UMC of El Paso), el único hospital sin fines de lucro y sistema de atención primaria en la región, que atiende a todas las personas que buscan servicio médico, independientemente de su capacidad de pago.

Para cubrir las necesidades de la comunidad, UMC Foundation mejora continuamente sus servicios y amplía sus redes con diferentes asociaciones con la finalidad de brindar atención médica de alta calidad.

A su vez, al proporcionar investigación avanzada, atención que salva vidas e instalaciones de vanguardia, UMC of El Paso puede ayudar a los pacientes a enfrentar sus insuperables barreras y obtener el tratamiento que necesitan. Los servicios de atención de cáncer están diseñados para reducir la ansiedad y la carga financiera entre los pacientes, aumentar el cumplimiento a los planes de tratamiento y mejorar la calidad de vida de los pacientes y sus seres queridos.

"La participación de la comunidad es esencial para satisfacer las necesidades de nuestros pacientes cuando más lo necesitan", agregó la Dra. Tarango. "Juntos, podemos ser un faro de esperanza para aquellos que más lo necesitan. Con cada boleto de 'Celebrate with Kool & the Gang', no solo estás asistiendo a un evento, sino que te estás convirtiendo en parte de un movimiento que transforma vidas".

Marca tu calendario, corre la voz y prepárate para abrazar una noche que resonará mucho más allá del evento en sí. Únete a nosotros el 26 de octubre de 2023, en Plaza Theatre, y se parte de un movimiento que está reescribiendo la historia de la atención del cáncer en nuestra comunidad. Tu presencia es un faro de esperanza, y tu apoyo es el catalizador del cambio.

Tickets are available by clicking on the following QR Code:

For more information, please contact Dr. Tarango at 915-283-8560 or by email: Abigail.Tarango@umcelpaso.org

Destination

PRETTY MÉXICO'S Puerto

PACIFIC COAST Vallarta

Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, representa el punto de referencia de la ciudad, su construcción se remonta al final del siglo XIX.

Located on the Pacific coast in the Mexican state of Jalisco, is one of the most attractive destinations in the Mexican Republic, Puerto Vallarta; located within the Bay of Banderas, which is considered one of the most beautiful bays in the world and is also one of the largest in Mexico. Its extension measures 42 km (26 miles) from east to west and 32 km (20 miles) from north to south.

This reference was what made us visit this beautiful city and we could affirm that it is colonial but without forgetting the natural beauty of the area, it is incomparable. From its blue waters to its exuberant jungles and majestic mountains, Puerto Vallarta offers a lot for nature-loving travelers.

Upon checking into the hotel we noticed that there are many outdoor activities and experiences, such as snorkeling, kayaking, hiking and swimming, available in the area, and although our stay was very short we made it a point to visit the Malecon areas, a very fun pedestrian promenade with its pier, the attraction of its restaurants and the so-called romantic zone for its historical areas, which are the most popular attractions in Puerto Vallarta.

On our first day we realized that it is the second most visited beach destination in Mexico after Cancun and attracts millions of visitors a year.

Being in front of that majestic sea, we enjoyed the sun and the beach and confirmed that Vallarta offers a relaxing and exotic change for those who want a place with friendly people, water activities, spa at reasonable prices and possibilities for retirement. Not for nothing was it also chosen as the best place for retirees in the world by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) in 2010.

A guide and family member we had on our trip was showing us the life in the city and on several occasions, he commented that has not gone unnoticed by foreigners and there are a considerable number of expatriates, mostly from the USA and Canada, including some European countries, who live in the city on a permanent basis, enjoying its climate all year round.

The bay and Puerto Vallarta itself, offers a wide range of options from the countless beaches, but also from the shining sun and the clear, clean emerald waters that are ideal for water sports. We learned that there are several towns that surround the bay from north to south, such as Sayulita, Mismaloya, or Yelapa, and others that are part of the coast and all of them are very close to the Marina Vallarta area and Downtown Vallarta, which frame the options for visitors.

And what can we say about gastronomy? Puerto Vallarta offers the best in all aspects from a luxury restaurant to a traditional street stall with a variety of seafood, tacos or tortas that are the delight of locals and foreigners alike. On our tour we were able to see the hotels and resorts that many offer all-inclusive, some have golf courses, spas, stores of the most recognized brands, gourmet restaurants, nightclubs, restaurants, bars and endless cafes and small outdoor businesses for the delight of the traveler who wants to enjoy this unique destination.

During our tour we made the obligatory stop since the beauty and charm of Vallarta has long been well represented in the city's landmark by the Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, we admired its construction dating back to the end of the 19th century and located one block away from the Plaza de Armas.

The red brick church tower was completed in 1955, but it was not until 1965 when it was finished with its crown, designed the same as the tower that supports it, by the parish priest Don Rafael Parra Castillo and a replica of a supposed crown worn by Carlota Amalia of Belgium, consort of Emperor Maximilian I (a crown she never had).

The cross and the sphere above the crown are the work of another artist, Esteban Avalos Haro. So, we spent our stay in this paradisiacal place in Mexico and enjoyed the sun, the sea, the familiar company of our tour and delighted in the delicious food that we would repeat. Our recommendation is that you discover the charm and magic that Vallarta has to offer.

It is time to plan a trip to this beautiful destination whose charm is its beach and find out why this beautiful city has the flavor and color of Mexico, you will not regret it, that is for sure!

Considerada una de las bahías más hermosas del mundo.

Al registrarnos en el hotel observamos que existen muchas actividades y experiencias al aire libre, como snorkel, kayak, senderismo y natación, disponibles en la zona, y aunque nuestra estancia fue muy corta nos dimos a la tarea de visitar las áreas del malecón un paseo peatonal muy divertido por su muelle, la atracción de sus restaurantes y la llamada zona romántica por sus áreas históricas, que son las atracciones más populares en Puerto Vallarta.

En nuestro primer día nos dimos cuenta de que es el segundo destino playero más visitado de México después de Cancún y atrae a millones de visitantes al año. Al estar frente a ese majestuoso mar, disfrutamos del sol y la playa y confirmamos que Vallarta ofrece un cambio relajante y exótico para aquellos que desean un lugar con gente amable, actividades acuáticas, spa a precios razonables y posibilidades para el retiro. No por nada fue también elegido el mejor lugar para jubilados en el mundo por la American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) en el 2010.

Un guía y familiar que tuvimos en nuestro viaje nos enseñaba la vida en la ciudad y en varias ocasiones nos comentó que no ha pasado desapercibido por los extranjeros y hay un número considerable de expatriados, mayormente de EE. UU. y Canadá, incluidos algunos países europeos, que viven en la ciudad de manera permanente, disfrutando su clima en todo el año.

La bahía y Puerto Vallarta mismo, ofrece un amplio abanico de opciones de las innumerables playas, sino también del sol resplandeciente y las aguas claras, limpias de color esmeralda que son ideales para los deportes acuáticos.

Conocimos que existen varios pueblos que rodean la bahía de norte a sur, como Sayulita, Mismaloya o Yelapa entró otros que son parte de la costa y todos están muy cerca de la zona de Marina Vallarta y el Centro de la Ciudad y que enmarcan las opciones para los visitantes.

Y qué decir de la gastronomía, Puerto Vallarta ofrece lo mejor en todos los aspectos desde un restaurante de lujo hasta un tradicional puesto callejero con la variedad del sabor de mariscos, tacos o tortas que son el deleite de propios y extraños. En nuestro paseo pudimos constatar los hoteles y resorts que muchos ofrecen todo incluido, algunos cuentan con campo de golf spas, tiendas de las marcas más reconocidas, restaurant gourmets, clubs nocturnos, restaurantes, bares y un sin fin de cafés y pequeños negocios al aire libre para el deleite del viajero que desee disfrutar de este destino singular.

Durante nuestro recorrido hicimos la parada obligatoria ya que la belleza y encanto de Vallarta, por mucho tiempo ha sido bien representado en el punto de referencia de la ciudad por la Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, admiramos su construcción que se remonta al final del siglo XIX y que queda a una cuadra de la Plaza de Armas.

La torre de la iglesia en ladrillo rojo se finalizó en el año 1955, pero no fue sino hasta el año 1965 cuando se terminó con su corona, diseñada igual que la torre que la sostiene, por el cura párroco Don Rafael Parra Castillo y una réplica de una supuesta corona que usó Carlota Amalia de Bélgica, consorte del Emperador Maximiliano I (corona que nunca tuvo).

La cruz y la esfera encima de la corona son obra de otro artista, Esteban Ávalos Haro. Así pasamos nuestra estancia en este paradisíaco lugar de México y disfrutamos del sol, el mar, la compañía familiar de nuestro paseo y nos deleitamos de la rica comida que repetiríamos.

Nuestra recomendación es que usted  descubra el encanto y magia con la que cuenta Vallarta. Es hora de planificar un viaje a este hermoso destino que tiene como encanto su playa y averiguar el porqué de esta hermosa ciudad con el sabor y el color de México, no te arrepentirás, ¡eso es seguro!

Puerto Vallarta is located within the Bay of Banderas, considered one of the most beautiful bays in the world.

BY: BORDER HERITAGE

PHOTO: CARMEN BECERRA PUERTO VALLARTA, JALISCO

Lifestyle

Grateful to celebrate another year. Thank you to everyone who attended on this special day and to SUSHIITTO for your great service!.

Agradecidos de cumplir otro año más. Gracias a todos los que asistieron en este día tan especial y a SUSHIITTO por sus atenciones!.

BY: BORDER HERITAGE

We celebrated one more year of life for Border Heritage, and we thank all those who joined us in this celebration.

PHOTO: GABRIELA VALDEZ EL PASO, TEXAS

Festejamos un año más de vida para Border Heritage, y agradecemos a todos los que nos acompañaron en dicha celebración.