Tijuana artist Once Cero Dos discusses the challenges of freedom of expression in public art.
Most people think they are more creative in the morning. Well, this morning Tijuana tested the theory with its second “Creative Mornings” event.
Tijuana’s second monthly Creative Mornings talk hosted 82 participants.
At 8 AM at the offices of the advertising agency Fotográfika in downtown Tijuana, the creative community of the city gathered for gourmet coffee, delicious fresh breads, fruit and yogurt, and a stimulating discussion by local artist “Once Cero Dos.” (Based on the number 1102 and pronounced in Spanish “Ohn-Say Say-Ro Dose”). This month’s theme–determined by the global organizers–was freedom.
Once Cero Dos, one of Tijuana’s most recognized and beloved urban artists shared his thoughts on the issue of freedom of expression. Once’s work is challenging to many viewers: drawing upon the “grotesque” and “monstrous,” Once works with characters and figures.
The work reveals the hidden charm and personality of society’s most invisible population, the homeless, drug addicts, prostitutes and others who live on the streets. Growing up in Tijuana, Once developed a fascination with drawing from his older brothers, and began as a young child to draw in order to express the feelings of frustration, anger, and conflict that we all experience as children. As a teenager, he would steal away to the Centro, downtown Tijuana, and sit in the plaza in front of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, watching the street people and drawing characters.
Boys fly kites in the empty lot below Once’s piece in the Tijuana colonia Camino Verde.
On freedom, Once admits to being “egoistic”– his drawing is a process that serves him, helps him express his emotions and work out the deeper questions of humanity. In this sense, he doesn’t paint for an audience. Leaving his works untitled, Once prefers to leave his pieces open to the interpretation of passersby.
>>>>> Check out this video by Paulina Casmur on VIMEO <<<<<
Creative Mornings Tj from Paulina Casmur on Vimeo.
>>>>>> <<<<<<<<
And many have seen Once's work throughout the city. Throughout the late 2000s, Once posted hundreds of "wheatpaste" figures and murals on freeway overpasses, on side streets, in locations grand and humble. His work have become part of the visual language of the Tijuana street.
[caption id="attachment_2642" align="alignright" width="300"]
Collaboration between Once Cero Dos and El Norteño, on a private residence, commissioned by the home owner.[/caption]
“CreativeMornings” was started in 2008 by Tina Roth Eisenberg in New York City to bring together a community of creative people once a month for a simple breakfast and a talk. The event has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, with eighty-two cities participating from Aarhus to Zurich and representing every continent on the globe. In a kind of creative time-space compression, the organizers suggest monthly themes, and each of the 82 cities meditate and discuss the same theme each month ranging from money, food, urbanism, art + technology, sex, to this week’s theme, freedom.
Jacu Brew Bar serving its unique blend of Veracruz/Oaxacan/Guatemalan coffee.
Tijuana’s CreativeMornings enjoyed the patronage and support of a wide variety of local businesses including Pastuerizada Jersey providing yogurt, Quesos Don Carlos who offered delicious cheeses, and my personal favorite Jacu Brew Bar, who served delicious gourmet coffee to the guests.
