Exhibition
Graphic Desing

Same

Part of the virtual exhibition Percepcion Peculiar for the
San Diego Design Week 2020.

SAME.

Crossing the border has always been something I feared, perhaps not unlike those trying to make their way into the USA. It’s an experience that resonates on both sides, a shared apprehension wrapped in the unknown, and feeling of uncertity.

I grew up in a multicultural melting pot, a place where people from every corner of Mexico brought their own traditions. This was layered with the Chicano culture from Mexican barrios in the U.S., where lowrider cars cruised down streets, the music of the '50s to the '70s filled the air, and gang graffiti marked the territory of the Cholos. On top of that, we embraced new traditions—punk, alternative rock, the '90s skate and BMX scenes, U.S. cartoons, and rock en español. Thinking about it, I realize it was much the same for the people of San Diego.

As a teenager, I began to see that we were living in a cauldron of creativity, art, and cultural exploration. This was a region where you could rave on the beach from Friday to Sunday, losing yourself in the pulse of new electronic sounds like Nortec. Or you could witness a man being shot from a cannon in the InSite project, bridging the gap between Tijuana and San Diego. The same place was buzzing with the street art movement, with OBEY stickers plastered on every corner. We were just as likely to catch a concert on the Vans Warped Tour, head to Coachella, or see Morrissey perform in Tijuana. There was a shared energy here, an artistic force that moved us all together.

As I traveled to different places, I began to realize that this region had given the world so many things that are now part of the cultural mainstream. Take food trucks, for example—my theory is that they emerged from the necessity to feed low-income factory workers, who came from different places and brought the best of their culinary knowledge. They didn’t just cook; they innovated, creating new styles to satisfy a variety of palates. From margaritas and Caesar salads to tuna tostadas and fish tacos, the food here was a testament to creativity and fearlessness. And the same goes for architecture and design—this region stood apart because it demanded innovation and boldness to thrive.

I’m still learning, still exploring. But if there’s one piece of advice I could give to any creative soul, it’s this: go to this region, immerse yourself, and explore. If you want to create something different in your professional life, there’s no better place to start.

To see the gallery where I’m participating with other great artist, illustrators and designer from the region go to https://www.percepcionpeculiar.com/