A ‘Collidoscope’ of cultures, humor and glass
Plus: Bank CEOs tout job cuts; Mecklenburg ABC launches Narcan training for bars and restaurants; Shots fired at health fair; Busy hurricane season predicted
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Review: ‘Collidoscope’ at the Mint Museum Uptown is a vibrant, chaotic mash-up of Mexican and American culture that invites endless interpretation
“Collidoscope” runs through Sept. 21 at the Mint Museum Uptown, 500 S. Tryon St. (Courtesy of Mint Museum)
by Lawrence Toppman
The title of the de la Torre brothers’ retrospective at the Mint Museum Uptown tells you just what to expect from “Collidoscope:” a mash-up of cultures from Mexico and the United States, whirled together in the brothers’ mental blender the way a kaleidoscope refracts images. Like that endlessly variable toy, it yields things that are sometimes bizarre, sometimes beautiful, always demanding close scrutiny but never fully yielding their secrets.
The full title of the exhibit, which runs through Sept. 21, is “Collidoscope: de la Torre Brothers Retro-Perspective.” It’s so layered with meaning, so dense with physical objects and psychological motifs, that my brain filled up halfway through. I had to wander upstairs to more familiar paintings to clear my mental palate, then dive back into the show I had come to see.
“Oxymodern: Aztec Calendar,” the large circular piece at the entrance, introduces you to almost everything the brothers are about. Blown glass and mixed media delve into Mesoamerican symbolism, riff on our modern throwaway lifestyle, lampoon unrestricted capitalism, insert hidden sexual and genetic meanings and serve as a channel for any images that popped into the brothers’ craniums. (I say “almost” because they also work with lenticular printing, which gives the illusion of depth and changes when viewed from different angles.)
In “Oxymodern,” human hearts float in bowls of molé sauce, reminiscent of Aztec sacrifices. Soccer balls appear in the shape of testes (a natural pun) amid yellow glass and a green glass rose. Luchador masks summon images of Mexican wrestlers and/or the Day of the Dead. Handguns, cigarette butts, crucifixes and bank notes dot the artscape. If you can’t put them all together right away, fear not: These images recur throughout the exhibit.
Jamex and Einar de la Torre, born in Guadalajara in 1960 and 1963, grew up there in humble circumstances: The “2020!” sculpture shows a New Year’s Baby (as I took him to be) in a Day of the Dead mask; he sits on a bed whose legs stand in bowls of water, meant to deter or drown inquisitive cucarachas.
Their website tells us they moved to a small California beach town in 1972, attended California State University at Long Beach, and currently live and work both in the Guadalupe Valley of Baja California, México, and San Diego. They have collaborated for the last three decades.
Their wicked sense of humor often masks anger at elements of the two national cultures. The triptych “The Reconquest” recalls Hieronymus Bosch’s “The Garden of Earthly Delights.” In the left panel, Mexican and U.S. leaders (including Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi) worshipfully ascend the steps of a Bank of America, which becomes Bank of Amexica when the lenticular print changes. In the middle, Mexicans and Americans worship an Aztechrist. On the right side, damned souls plunge into hell, as the angel Gabriel smilingly toots his trumpet on the Day of Judgement.
Some of their blunter work reveals their interest in German expressionism. “Borderland” depicts a journey from Mexico on the left side, as baby Jesuses wearing Mickey Mouse ears ride loose waves of tripe across the border toward Disneyland; on the right side, those who got into the U.S.A. have been neatly packaged into prime cuts of beef in the promised land. Is that a good or a bad thing? You decide.
In fact, much of this exhibit has a “you decide” quality. I enormously enjoyed “Pecking Order,” which showed four chickens floating in clouds of blood and facing an ear of corn that had split open like an image of the Sacred Heart. At the top of the corn sat a blue crucifix. At the bottom hung a rather demonic head made of corn kernels. No explanation will be forthcoming from me.
Occasionally, wall text helps you out. I looked at “Prince Tonalli” — that’s an Anahuatl word meaning “soul” or “gift” — and thought the glass deer with long ringlets, a white bib, purple antlers and a human face looked rather like Prince the singer. Sure enough, it was. On rare occasions, a work explains itself easily: “Melancholy” is a pale orange bottle about two feet high with a long, mournful face on the front, sadly aware that the candle in the neck of his bottle is all but burnt out.
And anyway, it’s fun to guess when you’re not sure. “One-Eyed Monster,” usually a term for a different part of the human anatomy, presents a heart with a horribly protruding eye and a tongue extending from red lips, mounted on a double base decorated all around with black spiders. You could argue that the brothers are warning us someone with a lusting heart has lost his ability to see clearly, while his soul is a nest of spiders — or maybe not. It’s hardly essential to pin down what they’re saying to appreciate their colorful craftsmanship and wild imagination.
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If you’re going
“Collidoscope” runs through Sept. 21 at the Mint Museum Uptown, 500 S. Tryon St. The museum is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. It’s free after 5 p.m. on Wednesdays.
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Lawrence Toppman covered the arts for 40 years at The Charlotte Observer before retiring in 2020. Now, he’s back in the critic’s chair for The Charlotte Ledger — catch his reviews several times each month by signing up for The Ledger’s Toppman on the Arts newsletter.
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Charlotte’s biggest banks are touting their ‘head-count discipline’
Don’t look for Charlotte’s two biggest banks to be adding employees anytime soon.
In earnings calls last month, Brian Moynihan of Bank of America and Charlie Scharf of Wells Fargo touted efforts to boost technology and to keep costs under control by reducing the need for more workers. Their comments were featured in a recent Wall Street Journal article headlined “CEOs Are Shrinking Their Workforces — and They Couldn’t Be Prouder.”
In regard to San Francisco-based Wells Fargo — which is the Charlotte region’s second-largest employer, with about 27,000 workers — the Journal reported:
It is no easy feat to cut head count for 20 consecutive quarters, an accomplishment Wells Fargo’s chief executive officer touted this month. The bank is using attrition “as our friend,” Charlie Scharf said on the bank’s quarterly earnings call as he told investors that its head count had fallen every quarter over the past five years—by a total of 23% over the period.
In regard to Bank of America — which is the Charlotte region’s third-largest employer, with about 15,000 workers — the Journal reported:
Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan reminded investors [last] month that the company’s head count had fallen significantly under his tenure. He became chief executive in 2010, and the bank has steadily rolled out more technology throughout its functions.
“Over the last 15 years or so, we went from 300,000 people to 212,000 people,” Moynihan said, adding, “We just got to keep working that down.”
The publication also quoted BofA’s chief financial officer, Alastair Borthwick, as saying that when managing costs, “It always starts with us with head-count discipline.” —Tony Mecia
Mecklenburg ABC launches Narcan training for bars and restaurants
Bars, restaurants and hospitality venues across Mecklenburg County are being offered free Narcan and training on how to use it through a new initiative from the Mecklenburg County ABC Board and Public Health Department, according to a press release.
The goal: save lives during opioid overdoses.
Mixed beverage (MXB) permit holders can take part in interactive training sessions through the ABC Board’s “ABC University” program, which teaches staff how to recognize an overdose and safely administer Narcan (naloxone), a medication that can reverse its effects.
Narcan kits will be provided by Mecklenburg County Public Health, and training will be available by request at select bars, restaurants and hospitality venues throughout the month.
In addition to MXB permit holders, the ABC Board has already trained its own employees and stocked Narcan kits in all 31 ABC retail stores across the county — a move officials say reinforces their commitment to public health and safety.
“We are thrilled at the opportunity to create heightened awareness around how Narcan can be used to potentially save a life,” said Scott Minderlein, senior officer with the county ABC Board, in the press release. “This effort ensures our community partners are informed, equipped and empowered.” —Lindsey Banks
Join us for a free webinar on Thursday – all about arthritis
Join us Thursday for the second of three free lunchtime webinars designed to help you stay active, reduce joint pain and build strength as you age.
The Ledger and OrthoCarolina are teaming up on a summer series called “Move Well, Live Well.” This week’s topic: “When Joints Talk Back: Understanding Arthritis and Easing the Aches.” It’s a discussion with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Michael Bates, and we’ll take your questions.
It’s Thursday (Aug. 14) at 12 p.m. Reserve your spot now — it’s free!
💪 You can also check out last week’s discussion on muscle health. It’s available as a…
The third installment in the series is on Aug. 20, on the topic of keeping your muscles strong as you age.
You might be interested in these Charlotte events: 2015 Panthers doc, upcycled fashion show, business of sports panel
Events submitted by readers to The Ledger’s events board:
SUNDAY: “Super Men: The Inside Story of the 2015 Carolina Panthers,” 1-3 p.m., at The Independent Picture House, 4237 Raleigh St. Through dozens of exclusive interviews with key players, coaches, fans, team officials and others connected to the team, the inside story of the 2015 Carolina Panthers team will be told in a way that it never has before. The documentary will be followed by a 30-minute recorded panel hosted by Scott Fowler and Theoden Janes and featuring Ron Rivera, Courtney Rivera, JJ Jansen, Josh Norman and Luke Keuchly. $10/ticket.
SEPTEMBER 6: “5th Annual Upcycled Fashion Show & Fundraiser,” 6-9 p.m., at Blume Studios, 904 Post St. Join ArtPop Street Gallery for an extraordinary evening where art, sustainability and high fashion converge! From multiple pieces of locally-crafted upcycled fashion, premier guest speakers, live art auctions and more, this one-of-a-kind event boasts an unforgettable experience for all involved! Registration required. $150 General Admission. $200 VIP.
SEPTEMBER 10: “The Business of Sports: An In-Depth Look at the Intersection of Athletics, Finance, and Branding,” 12:00-1:30 p.m., at The Charlotte City Club, 121 W. Trade St. Join the Charlotte Economics Club for a engaging lunchtime panel that pulls back the curtain on the multibillion-dollar engine powering professional sports. From surging franchise valuations to the complex financial structures behind teams, leagues and stadiums, this conversation will explore the business strategies shaping the future of athletics. Registration required. $60 for members. $75 for non-members.
➡️ List your event on the Ledger events board.
In brief:
Shots fired at community health fair: A woman was arrested after firing several shots into the air near C.W. Williams Community Health Center’s Annual Back to School Community Health Fair on Saturday, causing panic and scattering the crowd. (WSOC)
Atrium halts minor gender-transition meds: Several Charlotte-area organizations that support transgender youth released a statement criticizing Atrium Health’s decision to stop providing healthcare for gender transitions for patients under the age of 19, which parents of patients said took effect on Aug. 4 in light of new federal regulations. Atrium said in a statement that after careful deliberation, it had “revised our policy to no longer provide or prescribe gender-affirming care medications for patients under age 19” in light of the “evolving regulatory environment” and that it set up a 24/7 hotline for affected patients. (Queen City Nerve, subscriber-only)
Duke ‘early decision’ admissions subject of antitrust suit: Duke University is one of 32 schools sued in a proposed class action lawsuit that claims that its early decision admission process violates antitrust laws. The suit says universities agree not to compete with each other for early-decision students, which inflates tuition costs. (Reuters)
No NIL money for ’83 champs: A North Carolina judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the 1983 N.C. State men’s basketball team, rejecting players’ requests for name, image, and likeness compensation for their iconic national championship victory, citing untimeliness and federal copyright preemption. (WRAL)
Busy hurricane season ahead? Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are predicting an above-average Atlantic hurricane season, with between five and nine hurricanes before Nov. 30. (New York Times)
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