Summary
This is my thesis installation at the Center for Visual Arts entitled Bodega is a pop-up shop promoting and advocating for Latino entrepreneurship and streetwear design.
Audience
The target audience for the installation is individuals between the ages of 16 and 35 who enjoy visiting art galleries and have an interest in fashion.
Designer Statement
Bodega pays homage to the corner stores in New York City, which are the birthplace of hip hop. As an individual with immigrant roots and a passion for hip-hop, I was inspired to create Bodega, which combines these two worlds. Despite the border culture described by Gloria Anzaldua that creates a divide between the Third and First Worlds, Bodega disregards these differences and celebrates the expression of my and many others’ Latino identity.
Challenge
When I started in January 2023 on this project, I did not have any clue how much work was going to go behind it. My thesis advocates for Latino entrepreneurship and designer roles in streetwear. The challenge here is how to communicate this statement in a gallery installation and an essay. I did what anyone else in my position would do and panic.
Solution
I devised a plan to establish a bodega in New York City that embodies the origins of hip-hop and also reflects my Latino heritage and hip-hop upbringing. I exhibited and marketed t-shirts and other streetwear brands designed by Latinos to promote our creations and brands and gain recognition and support for them.
Bodega Newspaper
The Bodega newspaper aims to inform the audience about the installation, with details and design catering to the projects intention.
The Corner Store Marketplace, the corner store is how it starts, high roller high stakes cluckin’ chicken, gotta watch out for the pork, that’s the most important part, we were only making art, gotta say it from your heart.
-Metro Boomin’s Fire, featuring ASAP Rocky and Takeoff
Bodega T-Shirt
The t-shirt aims to promote Latino designers in the streetwear market. The quote on the back, taken from a newspaper, carries significant sentiment.
Take Away
I put a lot of effort into creating an amazing installation that had a strong conceptual idea behind it. Although I didn’t sell out, I’m grateful for the support of those who bought the t-shirts and engaged with the piece. Seeing the exhibition come to life was a mixed experience, but I’m proud of what I achieved. When I look back, I’m still amazed that I was able to complete it. I encountered so many dead ends during the design process, but those setbacks only helped me get closer to the end.
Reflection
I have files and files of ideas that were made and did not make it to the end. This project looks like it was easy, but the logic behind it involved many revisions, different versions of logos, layouts, t-shirts, and mock-ups of the installation space. There were plenty of revisions to the newspaper until it was finalized and ready. Also many hours on the research alone, this project took plenty of time out of me. Reflecting on it now, I am happy about the installation. This was worth my investment and time, thank you Bodega.