October 2002

 

Subject: digital image of a whore
Date: Tue, 1 Oct 2002 01:25:49 -0700
From: "Laurence D. Behr, Esq." <lbehr@bsandblaw.com>
To: <almalopez@earthlink.net>

I will say a prayer for you, Alma.  This is a truly unworthy use of the talent God gave you, and you will suffer the eternal consequences unless you repent. God is not mocked, nor is His Blessed Mother. 
 
L. Behr

 

Subject: your Our Lady depictions
Date: Sat, 12 Oct 2002 03:04:14 -0400
From: Holly <hcsk@unm.edu>

Hello, I have been researching the controversy that ensued at Santa Fe, as well how other Latina artists have portrayed Our Lady in recent years.

I am neither Latina nor Catholic, and have been outside of the U.S. for over 30 years until 2 years ago. I have been in the intercultural communication field for those years and am therefore interested in looking at the reactions to your artwork as an example of what goes on in this country.

How do you feel about the controversy and its outcome now? Did the artwork travel to other cities? Was there any protest in other places?

Best wishes,
Holly

Dept of Communication
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM

Subject: Congrats on "Our Lady"
Date: Fri, 18 Oct 2002 22:49:47 -0700 (PDT)
From: diane osollo <dkosollo@yahoo.com>
To: almalopez@earthlink.net

Dear Ms. Lopez,

I really like your illustration of La Virgen.  Often, I find myself appreciating a work more when I hear or read about the artist's intent.  I am shocked that people take offense to your work.  "Our Lady" IS tangible, and that you intended to facilitate a better connection between humanity and divinity is the effort of a saint.  I love being Catholic, and thank God for great art like yours. 

What was it that J.C. is quoted to have said?  "Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."  (Hey, it's there.  Luke, 7:23.) 

Take care and God bless you.

Diane

P.S.:  Who is La Virgen?  Is it artist Christina Fernandez?

Subject: paper on "Our Lady" to be presented at MLA Convention in December
Date: Mon, 21 Oct 2002 00:25:16 -0600
From: Lille Norstad <lille@unm.edu>
To: almalopez@earthlink.net

Hi Alma,
I'm a graduate student at UNM, working in both the Spanish and English Departments. Diana Rebolledo introduced me to you briefly at the NACCS Conference in Tucson a couple of years ago. I wanted to let you know that I am participating in a special session on the Virgin of Guadalupe at the Modern Language Association Convention in NYC in late December. I plan to present a paper titled, "Our Lady as Cyberarte: Religious Iconography and Public Discourse in the Postmodern Classroom." One thing that struck me in particular about the controversy in Santa Fe was the lack of dialog and the severity of discord among the parties involved, particularly in regard to a religious issue. I began to see this local conflict as a microcosm for the seemingly intractable and violent conflicts between religious factions in locations around the globe: Pakistan and India; Palestine and Israel; Croatia and Serbia; the Fundamentalist Right vs. non-fundamentalists in the U.S., etc. My point is that we have to learn to talk about religion; perhaps locally first, and then globally.

Since I teach freshman composition-- where we are supposed to foster critical thinking--I began to see "religion in the classroom" not as something to be avoided, but as an opportunity to help students learn to talk about religious differences. This past year, I presented versions of this paper at three conferences: Conference on College Composition and Communication in Chicago, the Southwest Symposium at UNM, and the Rhetoric Society of America Conference in Las Vegas. The predominant question from the audience was "how did the students react?" I had to admit that I didn't know because I hadn't actually incorporated my ideas into my teaching. This semester, however, I am putting my argument to work in the classroom.

I'm contacting you because I thought you would be interested in other projects that your work has inspired, and also to welcome your input.

I hope your current work is going well--from the looks of your website, it certainly appears to be.

Best wishes,
Lille Norstad

 

Subject: our lady of Guadalupe
Date: Tue, 22 Oct 2002 13:37:03 -0600
From: "Golershoes" <golershoes@golershoes.com>
To: <almalopez@earthlink.net>

En mi opinion, es muy barato su interpretacion de este importante imagen

Para nuestra comunidad, pero creo que ya ha hecho suficiente controbercia

Y ya gano publicidad suficiente Acosta de insultar a nuestra senora de Guadalupe.

En cuanto al arte hay Buena, mala y regular y esta sin duda es muy mala.

Gracias por su atencion y espero ver algo realmente bueno en su futuros trabajos.
 
Alfonso Camarena.

 

Date: Wed, 30 Oct 2002 18:52:20 -0500
From:  "elvira segura" <elviraseg@yahoo.com>
Subject: praise for the virgen in the bikini

Estimada Alma,

I saw your depiction of the Virgen quite a while ago. I was struck by the modesty and beauty of the bikini. But I was most impressed with the "fuck you" attitude on her face!

I suspect that what is infuriating all these caballeros in Northern New Mexico is NOT the costume, but the loss of the all-loving, all-forgiving, all-nurturing mom.

DO keep your sense of humor!

From: "Augusta Davis" <chloglow@hotmail.com>
To: almalopez@earthlink.net
Subject: YOur Art
Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2002 01:49:39 -0800

DEar Alma,

I read something on the internet about a digital art project of yours inspired by the vigin of guadalupe.
I am an art student from England ( I used live in Mexico and also in northern California ) who is interested in anythnig inspired by Guadalupe as i am starting some work inspired by her.
What you have done sounds really interesting. I would be really grateful if you could send pictures of your work ( if possible) or anything realting to it.
with many thanks Chloe

.