“Free” doesn’t often translate into “good,” especially for those who subscribe to the theory that “You get what you pay for.” But in this case, the Tuesday morning Malecón sculpture tour by Gary Thompson of Galeria Pacifico, “free” is great.

Every Tuesday at 9:30 am (from November 8, 2011, to April 17, 2012) Gary shows up at the Millennia Sculpture at the north end of the Malecón, just seaside of the Rosita Hotel and begins a two hour walking tour of the assorted bronze sculptures along this Vallarta beach.

There is absolutely no cost for this tour although Gary does occasionally suggest that people tip the sand sculptors and sky guys along the way. The walk isn’t hard, but it’s long and if the weather is hot, it’s a bit strenuous for the slower among us. Gary is quick and sharp, knowledgeable and humorous. He has lived in Vallarta for over 30 years and has run the Galeria Pacifico on Aldama in Centro for 20+ years.

Gary Thompson has been hosting this tour for three years. It had originally been conceived of as a tour of artists’ studios, but that concept fell by the wayside as quickly as the artists forgot the dates of the tour and drowsily and in their pajamas greeted the tourists that Gary had in tow.

The talk/tour starts off with artist Mathis Lidice (real name, Fernando Baños) describing and discussing for about 15 minutes his massive landmark Millennia sculpture. Then the trek begins.

Each main sculpture on the Malecón is discussed as the tour stops before it, either by Gary or his volunteer assistant, Cathy Morrow. Even the InfoArte computers with bronzes atop are given passing mention. Gary’s method is relaxed and humorous and he provides many background details no guide book could possibly include. Gossip and scandal and human interest intersect at each stop. He discusses the artists as much or more than the sculptures, as he should, since their souls are the life blood of the cast metal.

There is ample time for audience questions and the group spends about 5 minutes on each subject. You’ll hear how most of the artists financed their projects with donations and how drunks climb and fall off the Sergio Bustamante ladder sculpture, “In Search of the Reason” (not a recommended activity – drunkenly climbing the ladder, that is, not the search for reason).

You’ll learn of artists’ love affairs and the political intrigues surrounding some of the pieces and the protests at their installations: “Bare breasts on the Beach!?!”

But more, you will learn of the men who created these sometimes massive metal objects, and why.

For anyone who has any interest in art or Puerto Vallarta history and culture, this tour is much more than ideal. It’s more than an introduction and more than a tour. I can’t think of a better way to spend a Tuesday morning.

To take this tour no reservations are necessary. Just show up at 9:30 am Tuesday at the Millennia Sculpture on the Malecón. I wouldn’t advise bringing children (you know how they are…) and if you have trouble walking long distances, the walk may be a challenge, but it will be a challenge that you won’t forget.

MORE INFORMATION:

• Galeria Pacifico, Aldama 174, Centro, Puerto Vallarta
• 322 222 19 82

Juana Cortez and Oscar Solis will be painting in the garden at Galleria Dante on January 27, 28th and 29th.

“The work of artist Juana Cortez represents the reality of the world she knew through her grandmother – a proud member of an indigenous group rich in culture and rituals. Originally from Apatzingan, Michoacan, Cortez began her journey in paint under the teachings of artist Oscar Solis, who as her mentor was the person instrumental in helping her to achieve images filled with intense color. The artistic aim of Cortez’s paintings is to convey the essence of her roots to leave that information for posterity of future generations.”

“The great diversity of themes within the Oscar Solis’ paintings reflects his self taught skills, as well as a need to communicate his emotions in a simple and fascinating way. A native of Apatzingan, Michoacan, Solis began to draw as a child, inspired by the comics that came into his hands. Even at that young age, he was clear that he wanted to devote his life to painting. Today this is his primary way of expression and he continues the creative process believing that more and more people will become familiar with and admire his beautiful art.”

Oscar & Juana, both great artists, like to paint different cultures, but Juana says there is still some competition between them. While Juana depicts the various Mexican cultures in their traditional dress, detailing out the lace and fabrics. Oscar paints everything from horses, birds, still life, nudes, Africans, anything so as not to get bored or trapped with anyone subject. They are such a delightful couple. Anyone who meets them are impressed with their gentle, soft-spoken manners and their incredible talent. Their paintings say it all, so we will say no more – it is better said with photos, truly worth a thousand words.

If you want to meet these talented husband and wife team, they can be found painting in the Garden at Galleria Dante this week: January 27 from 2 to 5pm and January 28th & 29th from 11 till 1 pm and 2 to 5 pm. Basilio Badillo 269. 222-2477.

GALLERIA DANTE WEBSITE

– Excerpts from interview at Vallarta Lifestyles. Photos of Oscar & Juana courtesy of Monroe V. Davids….

Spencer Tunick, the U.S. photographer famed for shooting photos of naked people en masse in public places, returned to Mexico City over the weekend to do his thing again.

The last time the photographer worked in Mexico, he photographed an estimated 20,000 people naked in the city’s Zocalo, or grand central plaza, in May 2007.

This time around, Tunick opted for more intimate portraits of people posed naked around the streets of Mexico City and spent the weekend and yesterday snapping 40 subjects (men and women) in locations as diverse as newsstands, a water truck and the Latin America Tower in the historic center of the city.

Supported by National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the project was apparently inspired by the collection of works by Andrés Blaisten (a 20th century Mexican artist) presented in the Centro Cultural Universitario Tlatelolco.

Tunick said that he feels safer working in Mexico City than he does in the United States, according to local media.

“I feel more secure here in Mexico because I couldn’t do this project in Texas, where I’ve been imprisoned,” he said to El Universal.

– Deborah Bonello in Mexico City

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