ArtStreet students create experimental film ‘Aura Uma’
While we often talk about life imitating art, what about art being brought to life?
ArtStreet, a collective within Albuquerque Health Care For The Homeless (AHCH), presented “Aura Uma: The Spirit Of An Artist,” an experimental film with photography at the Guild Cinema in Nob Hill in May.
The 15-minute film follows Joseph, the protagonist, who finds a paintbrush which confronts him with the spirit of creativity: Aura Uma. Joseph, who was mediocre at first, embarks on a creative journey that transforms him and he is reintroduced to the magical power of creativity.
“‘Aura Uma: The Spirit of an Artist’ is a short film, written and adapted by the students taking my film and photography class,” said Diego Mesones. “So they started just thinking and just sitting around a table, dropping some ideas, brainstorming, and then thought about a being that would inspire artists.”
The class formulated the idea last fall and have been putting their plans to life ever since.
“This story was created back in November and we needed to identify a character, and they just came up with this character who is 52 years, that was probably low income,” Mesones said. “Somehow he finds this feather that leads him to ArtStreet, he makes it to ArtStreet and then gets to meet some people there.”
Mesones led ArtStreet’s film and photography weekly classes that took place on Wednesdays.
“All the students had a role in the process of making the film, so we had a director, a director of photography, a sound operator, a director assistant, a production assistant, lighting and editor, in addition to the actors,” Mesones said. “Everyone got to experience how a film crew work.”
Though the film was made by students, Mesones believes they did an exceptional job.
“I would rate their performance as outstanding. As part of a learning process, I did not expect professional work, but we would aim to that, so it doesn’t looked amateur. What really stood up was the fact they showed up every time and took the work very seriously.”
For the past year, Mesones has worked intensely with ArtStreet artists on experimental videos and a narrative film that was created from a story written by an ArtStreet artist that turned into a script about ArtStreet.
“In order to make a film, you need a filmmaker like Diego who has structure and knowledge,” said Thomas Carney, an ArtStreet artist and the lead role of the film, in a press release.
“Diego knows what he is doing, he is very patient and he also has tons of knowledge about filmmaking and the filmmaking process,” said Jeremy Yazzie. “He’s very creative here and sees things differently.”
Established in 1985, AHCH provides a plethora of integrated services like primary medical care, dental care, behavioral health, art therapy and social services. This group serves over 7,000 people throughout the year and spends more than 70 hours per week on outreach and providing services at First Street and Mountain Road and at other sites in the community.
Over the years, photography and film have been unaffordable mediums for people experiencing homelessness, until former ArtStreet program coordinator Christina Calderon and Mesones, manufactured opportunities to use them as mediums to create an experimental film.
To Mesones, the local art scene is alive and thriving.
“The art here really exposes the culture in New Mexico,” Mesones said. “It really attracts a lot of people and I think most people who come to New Mexico for tourism are always drawn to the New Mexico folk art, because it’s just amazing.”
Mesones was born and raised in Lima, Peru and moved to San Francisco in 2004. His love for motion pictures led to work also with still photography, influenced by his photographer friends.
“Being from a different culture really made some difference and I have a lot to say, so that definitely inspired me to be a visual artist and to create with a camera,” Mesones said. “I grew up in Peru, always with a little camera, so that is basically what that connection is between being from Peru and now being a filmmaker.”
For Mesones, Peru receiving more funding and recognition for their art is instrumental to their success.
“What I can say is that there is definitely this need for more support from museums, organizations from and art institutes,” Mesones said. “Here in the States, we have a lot of schools and institutes that promote art and it just lacks in Peru.”