Chico & Chang (2011-2012)
Lordy Rodriguez
Chico’s America, 2011
Ink on paper
Courtesy of the artist & Hosfelt Gallery
“There is something inherently American or Western with the terms Chico and Chang. They're like cultural equivalents to a Taco Bell or Panda Express where the cultural origination is obvious but seen as American when placed in their "homeland." To play with this duality, the text in both these pieces are of the top 10 Asian and Latino neighborhoods in America. Even though these neighborhoods are mostly Asian or Latino, the name of these neighborhoods lack the cultural connection to its population. The opposite happens to well-known immigrant neighborhoods like the Mission district in San Francisco and the multitude of Chinatowns where the cultural representations remain strong but the neighborhood populations do not.
The color patterns relate back to those cultural connotations. For example, in "Chang's America," the red and yellow comes from the Chinese flag, the gray from the color of the Mao suit, and the purple which represent death in many east Asian countries. In "Chico's America," the red, green, and white come from the Mexican flag, the orange relates to migrant workers, and the beige which is an often used gang color. Names and color are strong representative elements and in these two pieces they play their roles to reflect on the dualities that all immigrant populations must deal with.” – Lordy Rodriguez
Top 10 Latino Neighborhoods
(ranked by % of households that are Latino in the neighborhood or suburb)
1: Cape Florida - 51.8% (Key Biscayne, Miami)
2: Granada Golf Course West - 47.9% (Coral Gables, Miami)
3: Southern Colonial Village - 43.4% (Coral Gables, Miami)
4: Coco Plum - 42.7% (Coral Gables, Miami)
5: Deering Bay - 39% (Coral Gables, Miami)
6: Rockdale Estates - 38.5% (Pinecrest, Miami)
7: El Paso Country Club - 33.4% (El Paso, El Paso)
8: Mitchell Manors - 31.9% (Pinecrest, Miami)
9: Star Island - 31.8% (Miami Beach, Miami)
10: Dutch South African Village - 30.6% (Coral Gables, Miami)
Chico & Chang
June 11 - August 20, 2011
Intersection for the Arts
San Francisco, CA
Photo credit: Scott Chernis