ARTAMERICA: Meeting The Other 1996
Julian Albert Touceda

"The Quetzal Emperor" Color Pencil on paper (32x40ins) 1996 by Julian Albert Touceda. From the series Arteamerica: Meeting The Other 1995-1997

The secret order of Keel-Billed Toucans gather around their Elders and proclaim their supremacy of the rainforests of Arte America. Their hated and detested enemies the Scarlet Macaws had petition the Emperor (The Resplendent Quetzal) for territorial rights, and vow to defend their territory. The Emperor threaten to unleach his armies of Bibijaquas (Red Army Ants) if civil disorder threaten the peace and stability of Arte America.

That night the Keel-Billed Toucans conspire to assassinate the Emperor, and suppress, and repatriate the alien Macaws from their territorial trees. Therefore triggering the Species wars. Unaware to the Keel-Billed Toucans, a group of Hummers (Hummingbirds) were feeding on luscious and succulent red hibiscuses. Overhearing the loud chattering of the Toucans. They darted through the rainforest foliage at such speed carrying the conspirator's plot to the ears of the Quetzal Emperor.

The Quetzal Emperor summon his Birds of Prey. The Harpy Eagles, The Hawks and the Falcons, and order the capture of the Keel-Billed Toucans, and their cowardly cronies the Howler Monkeys. Later that day the conspirator's were exile for their extremist's point of view. the Quetzal Emperor perch upon his wild Avacado Tree, and shed a tear unto his ruby-red chest. His streaming long emerald tails flash brilliantly in the tranquil light that fell upon Arte America. There was peace in the rainforest but a heavy burden rested on the Quetzal Emperor's reign.

Copyright 2001 by Julian Albert Touceda

"The Quetzal," and "Central America," Color pencil (each drawing) on paper, 18x24inch 1996. From the series Arteamerica: Meeting the Other, 1995-1997

Julian Albert Touceda, ArteAmerica: Meeting the Other at D.O.C.S. Gallery in New Orleans, Louisiana 1996

Touceda uses this experience to pointed effect in his art works from 1996. His tone is unbiased and unflinching, as he serves as an observer of the situation at once inside and outside the culture he lives within. The Artist has chosen to adopt a flat, highly graphic style, incorporating stenciled text and broad areas of color, to heighten his message. It is interesting to note that the wealth of detail visible upon close inspection of surface of the paintings suggest the depth of his observation and reflects his own situation of being on the border between two cultures. These cultures each view the other with a mixture of genuine, if shallow, appreciation and guarded mistrust.

Border Skirmishes by David Dibble, The New Orleans Art Review 1996

"The Secret Garden," 1994 66x84ins The Open Wound Series by Julian Albert Touceda

"Hispanic Festival," Acrylic on canvas 61x78inches 1995. From the series Arteamerica: Meeting the Other 1995-1997

"The Cultural War'" acrylic on paper 32x40ins ArteAmerica: Meeting the Other 1996 Julain Albert Touceda

"The Other" Acrylic on paper 32x40ins (each art work) From the series Arteamerica:Meeting The Other 1996 , by Julian Albert Touceda

Paintings(acrylic on paper 32x40ins) from the series ArteAmerica: Meeting the Other 1996 by Julian Albert Touceda