BRONX, NY.- In playing the multiple roles of Puerto Rican, American, wife, daughter, and artist in her daily life, it is no wonder Wanda Raimundi-Ortiz undergoes a familiar undertaking, donning the personalities of every character in her new video performance piece Los Machos de Mi Vida; now on view at the Bronx Museum Project Space through December 20, 2008. Set in the guise of a typical telenovela, Los Machos de Mi Vida not only investigates the perpetuation of Latina stereotypes in the media, but tackles it head-on.

“I have always been interested in how novelas play a subliminally integral part in the shaping of psychological submission in contemporary Latina culture,” noted Wanda Raimundi-Ortiz. “In this new work, I take aim at the contemporary Latino novela while exploring multiplicity, subservience, class and gender politics while using the very medium that I love to hate.”

Raimundi-Ortiz’s exploration of Latina stereotypes reveal that the perpetuation is rooted in antiquated mores employed to connect one to romantic notions of their patria or homeland, which are threatened to be lost to Americanization. In her own struggles with daily multiple role-playing, Raimundi-Ortiz notes that these conflicts constantly rear themselves and create great confusion. Through her latest video installation, she aims to capture those quiet moments of negotiating her own identity and passivity for a greater good.

In addition to the video installation, Raimundi-Ortiz will also teach a salsa dance class for Latinas as an exploration of the hierarchy of “Latino-ness” by exposing the varying degrees of ability in dance. The class will take place at 4 p.m. every Saturday at the Project Space for the duration of the show.

Wanda Raimundi-Ortiz Born in Bronx, New York, 1973; lives in Bronx, New York; studied at Mason Gross School of Art-Rutgers University (MFA, 2008,) Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York (AAS, 1998), Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, 2002; Awards include: 2008 Mujeres Destacada Honoree, Ralphe Bunche Fellow (2008) BRIO Award (2002, 2006), Artist In the Marketplace fellow(2004), Longwood Cyber resident (2004), FIT Outstanding Alumni (2001). Selected exhibitions include Aqui y Ahora: Transcultura/ Here and Now:Transculture, Centro Cultural de España, El Salvador, The S Files 05 and No Lo Llames Performance/Don't Call It Performance, El Museo del Barrio; Artist in the Marketplace 25, Bronx Museum of the Arts; Mercury/Mercurio, Longwood Art Gallery @ Hostos; The L Factor, Exit Art, New York.

The Bronx Museum Project Space is located at 11 Bruckner Boulevard, in the Mott Haven antique row area of the South Bronx, across from the Historic Clock Tower Building. Video screenings are Saturdays from 6:00 – 8:00pm, and by appointment. To schedule an appointment during the weekday, please contact wrlosmachos@gmail.com.