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	Vol.7, No 10, September 15, 1999
	Peruvian artist displays talent By Rebecca Brown Daily Forty-Niner Peruvian artist Gerardo Chavez, a surrealist who has 45 works in the series ìRythms of the Fantastic,î is being showcased by the Museum of Latin American Art until Oct. 17.  ìChavez is the typical artist we are trying to promote," said Susan Golden, the museum's director of public relations. "He's a modern generation Latin American artist, which makes us unique because not many other museums focus on Latin artists." The museum primarily showcases artists who have lived and worked in Latin America, focusing on the rich culture of their hometowns.  Most of the artists are still living and creating work, Golden said. "We like those who visit to museum to see an artist that is still out there creating work rather than some artist who has been dead for a hundred years, like a lot of the blockbuster museums who feature artists like Picasso or Van Gogh," Golden said. Chavez grew up in a small village just outside of Peru called Trujillo. He attended the School of Fine Art in Lima, where he was influenced by famous artists such as Rembrandt, Goya and Raphael. He was also influenced by the horror stories created by H.P. Lovecraft.  One of the most impressive pieces featured in "Rythms of the Fantastic" is the 90-foot work, "The Procession of the Potato."  "This piece was done in 1995," Goldman. "He hadnít been in Peru for quite some time, and the potatoes are symbolic of his love of his homeland." The painting is done on a series of burlap potato sacks stretched across canvas.  The colors are earthy and soft, depicting Chavezí home.  The paint used for the painting is based with minerals and soils from Peru, Goldman said. In "La Medusa" liquidish, shining black-eyed serpents twist around a humanoid figure as a werewolf plays the flute.  Surrounding monsters appear to rejoice in a soft, pale, yellow and powder blue background. The use of earthy, natural colors is a permeating factor in many of Chavez' works. The colors seem to betray the eye, leading one to believe that the beasts are non threatening, despite their claws, heavily-muscled physiques, and menacingly glittering eyes. With the artist's series of carousel paintings, Chavez reflects on his poverty-ridden childhood, when he watched as other children were able to afford a carousel ride.  "Carousel at Noon" displays Chavez' frustration from being denied the carousel ride. A black background creates the vibrant red, orange, seemingly elated piglike figures astride menacing and grinning carousel horses. The dreamlike atmosphere of the figures floating amongst one another in a ghostly manner gives the viewer an understanding of how poverty was such a menacing reality for a child. The museum is located in Long Beach and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Admission is $3 for students.  For more information one may call 437-1689.		Frat Pack Fraternity members of Alpha Phi Alpha jazz up the stage in the university Student Union South Plaza as part of the Yardshow, a dance extravaganza sponsored by the CSULB National Pan-Hellenic Council. The week long event will end Saturday.                                                                                                       Teachers stress improved training Computer jobs hottest in market Package frightens residents Campus moms get support Center answers students' career questions, problems L.B. department aids job seekers Temporary jobs provide experience to students Grad advice eases student confusion A spade is still a spade U.S. owes E. Timor more than money Peruvian artist displays talent Gallo comes home Determination equals victory Fall 99 ISSUES DAILY 49ER HOMEPAGE
Forty-Niner Publications, Department of Journalism, California State University, Long Beach ©1999 All rights reserved.