James Luna Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

James Luna - Essay Example The product of a Mexican father and Luiseno Indian mother, Luna was born in 1950 on the La Jolla Indian reservation in Southern California. Raised in Orange County, he received a degree in art from the University of California Irvine in 1976. At that time, the art department at Cal-Irvine was a significant influence throughout southern California in terms of encouraging performance and conceptual art. Upon graduation, Luna returned to the La Jolla Reservation and enrolled at San Diego State University where he received a Masters degree in counseling. Currently, he is employed by Palomar College in San Marcos as a counselor. Initially trained as a painter, Luna now travels the globe demonstrating his version of conceptualistic art working principally with presentation video and visual art. His performance combines contemporary artistic offerings with Indian rituals, parodies, humor and autobiographical nuance within the context of prevailing, conventional attitudes toward native culture. Although the artistic methods he employs would be readily recognizable to an audience that prefers contemporary performance or gallery art, he injects this form with the teachings of his native cultural heritage and presents current conditions of native peoples. Despite this, Luna maintains that his form of art is not intended to politically motivate his audience. â€Å"In doing work about social issues I use myself to explore conditions here on the reservation. It is not my place to tell people how to act† (Durland, 2003). Through his works, Luna constantly endeavors to challenge the stereotypical, idealized notion of the dignified, yet savage Indian. His performances are theatrical in nature and are aesthetically intricate while making both subtle and overt political observations all of which produce a multi-faceted perception regarding the native culture to the audience. Luna’s performance is hardly what