STUDENT SHOWCASE
The current exhibition at the CSUSB Anthropology Museum's is a "Student Showcase" -- a series of small exhibits researched, developed, designed, and curated by CSUSB students. Included in the show are:
- Virgin Mexico - Exhibit concept by Citlali Villa, adapted by CSUSB staff
While there have long been pockets of Protestants, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Muslims, and Jews, in the 2020 census 78% of the Mexican population identified their religion as Roman Catholic. Perhaps the most recognizable icon of Catholicism in Mexico is Our Lady of Guadalupe (Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe), also known as la Virgen de Guadalupe, Santa María de Guadalupe, la Virgen Morena, and Tonantzin. Our Lady of Guadalupe is so ubiquitous in Mexican culture that she has become far more than a religious token alone. Her image symbolizes the Mexican nation’s history, distinct cultures, and shifting norms.
- Sensing Mindfulness - Exhibit developed, designed and curated by Nichole DeCatur
Mindfulness in the Buddhist faith is the concept of being fully aware, alert, and intentional. It is one skill among many that develop an individual’s awareness of the causes and sources of suffering, and so enable a person to become less self-centered and attain enlightenment. The concept is also central to many non-religious healing practices that aim to reduce stress and promote empathy. While these descriptions might give the impression that mindfulness is in the mind and thoughts alone, Buddhist practices employ all of the senses in the quest for “non-self.” This exhibit features objects from the Vajrayana Buddhism practice from the Central Asian region of Tibet and Nepal that help practicing Buddhists to connect with the senses.
- Separation or Synchrony? Envisioning Humans in Nature - Exhibit developed, designed, and curated by Victor Lopez
In the technology-focused, concrete, steel, and asphalted world of daily urban life, it becomes easy to envision the human species as both separate from and dominant to the natural world. We keep plants in pots, interact with animals in the form of pets, and use our phones to check the weather and know what to wear. But humans are animals and a part of, rather than apart from, the ecosystems we inhabit. Indigenous groups across the American Southwest have long understood this point, and sought co-existence with rather than preeminence in the world. In both spiritual beliefs and everyday practices, the interconnectivity between humans, animals, and the earth are prominent and honored.
- Animal Welfare: Beyond the Western Lens - Exhibit developed, curated, and designed by Christina Livingston
Animals are essential to humanity and the environment. Without animals, there wouldn’t be agriculture, food, clothing, companionship as pets, and entertainment through zoos, movies, and live shows. With so much dependence on animals, humans must do our part to ensure their survival. But do we owe animals anything else? Groups like PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) say yes, and they advocate against animal cruelty through fighting to ban fur coats, protesting orca whale captivity, and similar actions. But is prioritizing the welfare of animals always best? Considering multiple points of view raises questions about the balance between animal rights and cultural sensitivity.
- Real or Fake: Interpreting Authenticity - Exhibit developed, curated, and designed by Danielle Cupp
“Authenticity” is often defined as the quality of being real. The way that something was created – which materials and processes were used – might be considered, along with the reason for its creation, how it was intended to be used (and how it was actually used), and the persons and places involved. But how these criteria are applied to determine if an item is “real” or “fake” is not always straightforward, and the answers they suggest can contradict one another. The specific elements used for determining authenticity are also not consistent over time and between cultures, suggesting that authenticity is more of a subjective assessment than a seal of bona fide realness.
- Masked Traditions: Connections and Transition - Exhibit developed, curated, and designed by Sydney Edge
In the United States, we might think of masks as pieces of a Halloween costume or as tools to protect ourselves from illness. In cultures around the world, masks can have other meanings. In places like Nepal, Papua New Guinea, and the Ivory Coast, masks are used as tools for communication and connection. Through the use of masks, ancestors are able to join in celebrations and people can dance with Gods to fulfill different needs. The tourism industry also uses masks as a focal point for people to share traditions with one another.
In these diverse cultural contexts, masks represent more than just artistic expressions or ceremonial adornments. They are manifestations of the enduring bond between the living and the divine. Through wearing and manipulating masks, individuals honor their forebears. They seek guidance, protection, and blessings in navigating the complexities of life. Masks represent a cornerstone of cultural identity, spiritual practice, and communal cohesion. By studying masks we may honor the interconnectedness of past, present, and future. But, we must also recognize the potential for harmful effects on the communities exotified and idolized by outsiders and consumers.
- European Instruments in Mexican Music - Exhibit researched and developed by Madison Moore
Hernán Cortés is perhaps best remembered for bringing an end to the Aztec Empire through his attacks on the capital city of Tenochtitlán. But his conquistadors brought with them more than weapons; they also had trumpets, violins, and six-string guitars called vihuelas. These European instruments, and others that arrived with settlers and explorers in subsequent centuries, would become integral to uniquely Mexican musical genres. The histories of these instruments in Mexico mirror that of the nation itself, telling tales that start with colonialism and conquest and end with national pride and resilience.
- Lucha Masks & Identity Expression - Exhibit developed, curated, and designed by Katie Hilliard
We all express our identities in different ways. For some, it is reflected by their clothes. For others, it is their hair. For luchadores, it is their mask. Luchador or luchadores (plural) is the Spanish word for “wrestler(s).” Most luchadores wear a mask. These masks impact their recognizability, inform how they act, and even influence others.
Lucha masks can also reflect the different tensions that come with identity expression. Sometimes, this tension is a desire for recognition while still valuing privacy. Other times, it is understanding the difference between performance and authentic actions. Or perhaps it is simply finding one’s place as an individual while still being part of a community. Regardless, each luchador’s mask reflect different
tensions attached to their own identity expression. This makes the mask an integral part of a luchador’s life.
Also on display is the Coyolillo Festivities mural by Julio Cesar López Antuna (Hónter) and several related artifacts from the 2023 Afrontalo exhibition.