Mexican-American artist, Fernando Escartiz culls from his childhood first experiences of learning about visual and cultural storytelling through the popular Folk Art medium of Alebrijes first created by Mexican artist Pedro Linares in 1936 to create his installation, “The Dream”. The alebrijes forms and techniques have become integral to the Mexican lifestyle with children learning about their significance as well as making their own creations.

Escartiz decided to highlight, with pride, this Mexican tradition by embracing his history and connecting to the large and strong Latino community in Redwood City with his brilliant sculptural forms and ambiguous narratives providing a touchstone into current events such as our political discourse, displacement, gentrification, equity & inclusion, climate change, etc. And just like Linares whose dreams turned into nightmares resulting in his coined termed “Alebrijes” and resulting art form, Fernando begins his nocturnal setting through the eyes of the innocent. A tiny Chihuahua, similar to an innocent baby, peacefully rests upon a helter-skelter bed within a voluminous room with windows penetrating his place of respite as well as out into the world.

Escartiz lays before us multiple interpretations and never dictates a singular story but rather presents endless possibilities. Is the lil pup having a good or bad dream? In this reality is the entire world about to pounce upon him unknowingly? Does “The Dream”effect the viewer differently as the installation changes from day into night? Through the endless possibilities, the artist enchants and invites viewers to revisit his installation routinely, while placing a giant alebrijes upon the roof of the ART KIOSK for all passerby’s to see. The figure looks defiantly at all who stares and dares them to step forward, peek in, and dig deep into their own emotions and dreams.