Aislinn Thomas: “As I am and as I become” | Ackowledgements

As I am and as I become Acknowledgements As I am and as I become is a creative description project by Aislinn Thomas made in collaboration with members of Teatro Visión, a Chicanx theater company in San José, California.

The subject of Laura Aguilar’s Stillness #24 is voiced by: My name is José Chuy Hernández and I am an artist. I was born in Mexico in 1979. I grew up moving a lot from place to place. I migrated to the United States in 1998. Started my family very young—I was only 21. I've always been an artist.

I'm a musician and actor. And now I'm teaching artists. And to me the art or the arts in general. It's some of the most important elements in life. And I encourage everyone to always be involved with the arts, always always because it is literally the key to find purpose in life in so many different ways. Even if you're not going to be an artist, even if you're not going to be a musician. But it teaches you a sense of beauty, and beauty not in the sense of what we consider as beautiful, but just in the sense of finding beauty in everything that we are. And so my pursuit of happiness is literally my pursuit of

understanding about me, and who I am, and sharing those tools with the next generation.

Mi nombre es María Teresa Barcenas, soy madre de tres hijas. He estado en este país y tengo muchas ganas de que la gente conozca un poco de mi historia. Mi historia no ha sido fácil pero sin en cambio puedo decir que lucho día a día.Lucho por alcanzar ideales que tal vez nunca pensé, estoy en teatro, he sido parte de una comunidad de inmigrantes en el este de San José. Hago teatro y me gusta que la gente pueda saber que en California, en San José hay gente trabajadora y que lucha y quiere salir adelante My name is Citlali Ortiz and I like to dance, and act and sing. And paint and stuff. Going on bike rides, playing with my pets, or taking them for walks. I am with the company Teatro Visión.

I'm Matt Casey. I'm a theatre producer and organizer, and director with More Más Marami. I look to fill the space around me with as much art and theater and joy as I can. And to support and push the people around me on to the next level that they can be at. In my own life I like to move about nature. I like to connect with people and find

new experiences to be a part of, and new ways to see the world outside of myself. I’m 5’10”? I think?

I’m white with brown hair. And generally dress a little preppy, a little nerdy. That's who I am, I think.

The subject of Rina Banerjee’s Captured as hostage […] is voiced by: José Chuy Hernández My name is Isabel Hertel, I go by Isa. I love art. I do lots of drawings and painting and crafts, especially about rabbits and my favorite animals.

And yeah, I'm really happy to do this project because it has something to do with art.

Mi nombre es Vitalina Wainzinger, trabajo para Teatro Visión y me encanta el arte, no soy una pintora, nunca he pintado pero me encanta apreciar las obras de arte. Soy una fan, me encanta verla. Siento que los demás, me encanta observar las obras de arte de los demás y esta obra de arte me parece espectacular, magnifica porque describe parte de mi misma que incluso yo no podia leerlas. Gracias.

My name is América Bautista Barcenas. I am a young adult living in San José, California. Grew up here, lived here all my life. And I'm excited to be here because though I've lived here for the longest time, this is my first time in the San José Museum of Art. And I hope you had a good day here. I'm hopeful for our future, I hope we can live in kindness. And…yeah, this has been fun.

Hi, my name is Samanta but I like to go by Sammy. One of my favorite hobbies and things to do is gardening and anything to do with plants. I have a vegetable garden outside with peppers, tomatoes, strawberries. And cucumbers and herbs.

And then I have a few plants inside my room. I also really like to do plays. I just was in a play called Esperanza Rising. It's a book too, it’s a really good book. I’m in seventh grade. And honestly, I’m not much of an artist though I wish I was a good painter but I’m not yet. And last, but not least, I really like to read realistic fiction books.

The subject of Genevieve Gaignard’s Selfie is voiced by:

My name is Veronica Eldredge. I use she/her pronouns. And I'm an artist, and poet, and children's illustrator. I live in San José, California.

So, my name is Nicole Machuca. I am 11 years old. And I like drawing. I like playing video games. I like singing. And I want to become an actor. And a singer.

Isabel Hertel, I go by Isa. Mi nombre es Ugho Badú y he prestado mi voz para esta hermosa pieza titulada, Selfie. Espero que la disfrutes.

My name is Marissa Torres. I’m about 5’3” I have lighter skin and really, really dark hair. I love crafting and making props. I love acting and technical theatre—design and such. And that’s a little bit about me.

The subject of Manuel Neri’s Untitled (Kneeling Figure) is voiced by: Me llamo María Vargas, soy una amante del arte en todas sus diferentes expresiones. También me

fascinan los diferentes lenguajes y culturas que habitan nuestro hermoso planeta tierra.

My name is Natalie C. Herrera. I am a Chicana Mexican American. Born in California, love California. I am a teacher, a comedian, and a writer. I love to eat popcorn, mess with popcorn recipes, and try and fail at doing French braids. It's something I need to get better at.

My name is Yasmín Rivero. I'm 15 years old. I was born and grew up in San José. And I like to do theater and be a part of my community.

Hi, my name is Rojana Ibarra. I live in San José.

I've lived in San José my whole life. And to be honest, I couldn't imagine living anywhere else. I have loved art my whole life. And it has brought me some of the greatest joys I've had in my life. And given me a voice when I felt that I didn't have one.

So I've been an artist for several years. And I went to San José State University, where I received my bachelor's in Studio Art Practices. And I love using this talent I was given. But especially using it teaching others, or working with others, and especially kids. Because they're just so great and

creative. And just the things that they come up with. Kids are true artists. So yeah, that’s me.

The subject of Woody De Othello’s Defeated, depleted is voiced by: Mi nombre es Alexia Díaz, espero a través de esta escultura,de esta imagen proyección le sirva a mucho a la humanidad de estar cuando uno está en un estado depresion. Me siento muy contenta, me siento feliz porque a través de esta escultura que habla sobre el mundo, de la derrota, de que uno no puede ser derrotado. Yo alguna vez fui como esa escultura y yo siento que no, nadie, nadie, nadie puede ser derrotado. Todos tenemos que la lucha sobre la libertad, sobre la discriminacion, sobre mucha, mucha, racismo.

Espero y a través de esta escultura se mucha, mucha parte de la personas de la humanidad se vean reflejadas. Y el color negro lo dice todo, empezando por ahi. Que todo es negro pero que alguna vez todo el mundo que a uno o yo como una chica transgenero Que soy todo lo negro que se convierte en luz. Estoy feliz de haber realizado este trabajo, de haber participado y es algo que llevaré en mi corazón para siempre.

My name is Brissa Ibarra. I am from San José, born and raised. I am a single mother of twins and have studied acting and musical theater. Yet, have focused my life on being a mother for the last 10 plus years. I enjoy cultural art. I enjoy community.

And I enjoy bringing people together through all forms of art, culture and...love. Love, love, love.

My name is América Bautista Barcenas Rojana Ibarra My name is Ronald Feichtmeir. Yeah, I could say something about myself…what do I say about myself when I introduce myself to people? I'm 41.

I’m a Bay Area native. I live in Mountain View, which is pretty close by, took the bus over here.

Let’s see…my hobby is doing theater so maybe that's why I talked about all the Kabuki stuff. So I’m, like, an actor. That's sort of my hobby thing.

I've lived in this area basically my whole life and I have family here and stuff. That's a little bit about me anyways, yeah.

Consultation by Ramya Amuthan

Project Coordination by Leigh Henderson, Robin Treen and Lauren Schell Dickens Recording by Robin Treen, Lauren Schell Dickens, and Jeff Bordona Artwork coordination by Anamarie Alongi, Aaron Lee, and Dan Becker Translation and Spanish-language consultation by Juanita Berber-Acosta and Audio Engineering by Nathan Saliwonchyk

This project was commissioned by the San José Museum of Art, and curated by Lauren Schell Dickens in 2021.

Sincere thanks to everyone at Teatro Visión and the San José Museum of Art who made this project possible.

In closing, I’ll describe myself. I’m Aislinn Thomas, my pronouns are she and her. I’m an artist. The past few years I’ve been finding so much pleasure, learning, meaning and connection through experimenting with creative approaches to visual description—and access practices more broadly. I myself am a sometimes-user of description because my vision is very contextual. I often describe myself as someone who thrives in low stimulation and low-toxicant spaces.

I’m a disabled and chronically ill white settler. I was born in 1981 in what’s known as La Ronge, Saskatchewan, Canada and I’m so, so grateful and honored to be living on unceded, ancestral Mi’kmaw territory in Unama’ki or Cape Breton Island. I’m also grateful and honored to be working alongside and in the legacy of so many others who think through accessibility creatively and in its broadest sense.

I’m especially indebted to the leadership and wisdom of Disability Justice activists and Disability Arts spaces that are guided by and practice those principles.

Thank you so much for listening.