Fandango

Date2017

MediumOil on canvas

Dimensions24 x 18 in. (61 x 45.7 cm)

ClassificationsPainting

Credit LineGift of The Hilbert Collection

Object number2020.024

DescriptionThe painting “Fandango” was inspired from dance performance that was part of a January 2016 production by the Michaela Kai Flamenco Group based in Gardena, California. The artist, Yoko Mazza, was also a performer at this recital. The scene was captured in a photograph by her husband, Steve Crise, whose images Yoko often uses for reference. The performer and main subject of the painting is Brandi. Brandi’s ardent expression on her face that was captured in the photograph was one of the main characteristic that inspired Yoko to create this painting.

The two accompanying performers include Brandi’s mother, Yasuko, whose is only partially visible on the right, and another member of the dance troupe, Lisa, who is displayed on the left side of the composition. Lisa’s long beautiful arms are extended gracefully while playing the castanets and is facing inwards, producing a rhythmic counterbalance to the main subject, Brandi, and gives the painting additional sense of fluidity and motion.

Yoko’s first passion in life is painting and drawing, while Flamenco dancing is a close second. Being both a painter of Flamenco dancers and a performer herself, it provides her with special insight into the beauty, mystery and drama of the age old art form of Flamenco dancing.

Flamenco dancing is one of the most characteristic elements of Spanish culture, especially throughout the southern region of Spain known as Andalucía. “Fandango” is lively type of Flamenco music which lyrics and verses are documented as back as the early 18th century.

Not widely known outside the boundaries of Spain or Japan, is the fact the many Japanese women are very enthusiastic participants in the Flamenco art form. One of the theories of this phenomenon is that the Japanese have an outlook on life in which self-development through any action that involves personal growth, be it an artistic, academic or a cultural endeavor, is absolutely necessary to promote one’s personal growth. The highly achieved art form of Flamenco dancing, with its pure expression of passion and emotion, attract many Japanese due to the fact that under the strict social norms and behavior of their own culture, where the showing of emotion and feeling is completely cancelled out, allows them the opportunity to express these repressed feelings freely and without restriction.

-Yoko Mazza (artist)

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