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Melesio Casas, Humanscape 62, 1970, acrylic on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2012.37, © 1970, the Casas Family
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Exhibition Label
In the early 1970s, Chicano activists successfully lobbied the Frito-Lay Company to remove the Frito Bandito from public circulation. This figure, which was the advertising mascot for Frito-Lay corn chips, became the centerpiece of Casa’s pop-styled painting Humanscape 62. Here he surrounded the Frito Bandito with a series of “brown” references drawn from American and indigenous cultures. Such incongruent juxtapositions – which include a tempting plate of brownies, a junior Girl Scout, a Native American in profile, and quotes of masterworks such as a turquoise Aztec mosaic – critique the trivialization of Chicano culture and allude to the rich cultures that stereotypes obscure.
Our America: The Latino Presence in American Art, 2013
Our America: The Latino Presence in American Art, 2013
- Title
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Humanscape 62
- Artist
- Date
- 1970
- Location
- Not on view
- Dimensions
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73 x 97 in. (185.4 x 246.4 cm)
- Copyright
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© 1970, the Casas Family
- Credit Line
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Smithsonian American Art Museum
Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment
- Mediums Description
- acrylic on canvas
- Classifications
- Keywords
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- Object – foodstuff – brownie
- Ethnic – Indian
- Dress – uniform – scout uniform
- Object Number
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2012.37
- Palette
- Linked Open Data
- Linked Open Data URI
