The Guillermo Gomez-Pena Piece -A Critical Response

This article talks about how the Chicano populations are "cyberimmigrants" on the internet and supports the argument made by both Nakamura and Kolko that there is a racial and cultural digital divide when it comes to the internet and its access. Guillermo Gomez-Pena; however, points out that the divide may not totally be due to a lack of access to high technology rather than it holds no apparent appeal. Culturally, he says that Mexicans enjoy social and physical interaction with people. The cyber culture does not afford any physical contact and therefore is viewed as being a dehumanized environment. He also points out that growing up Mexico, it was far more important owning postmodern technology rather than using it. He mused how televisions doubled up as the family religious alter and how his Grandmother commented on how well her new electric ionizador worked; although she had never plugged in.

I have to agree with Guillermo, that Latin Americans, historically and from my own personal experience of having Hispanic friends and neighbors, that as a race they are renowned as having a great sence of humor, a love for politics and social interaction, and see themselves as culturally and spiritually superior. The internet chat rooms would seem to be an informidable and unlikely place to meet and really befriend someone. The internet lacks the tactile interaction that social extroverts thrive on. He agrees with Nakamura that the internet for people of his culture is used as a tourist gallery, not unlike watching television. The title of the article sarcastically says that the Chicano Internet is the search for intelligent life in cyberspace.

As an artist Guillermo is working hard to introduce the world to the Mexican culture using high technology. Even his high tech performances always involve some form of physical contact with his audience. This both attracts the Chicano audiences and shows the world how his culture can incorporate technology in art. He pokes fun of the way the world perceives his Aztec ancestry by mixing politics with art and humor with tragedy. Some of his works are disturbing to watch such as this following piece from the Museum of Fetishishized Identities:



I found the article very thought provoking and his perspective of how "web backs" identify or do not identify with the predominately white cyberworld enlightening.