The actual spelling for this popular saying is ‘Mano a Mano’, usually meaning to fight someone ‘toe to toe’ or ‘one on one’. However, for Aaron De La Cruz and Samuel Rodriguez, this is an exhibit of collaboration and not competition. ‘Mano y Mano’, for this show means ‘hand and hand’, emphasizing the collaborative effort and their shared cultural roots and style. Both artists being of Mexican descent and introduced to art through graffiti in California.

The two became familiar with the term ‘hand-styles’ or ‘hands’ referring to one’s graffiti tagging-style. A tag to them is the root of graffiti, because it is the base for even the most elaborate pieces of graffiti. It is also the part that instantly shows one’s signature or mark. This is something that can instantly tell a story about an artist’s identity, and is both sophisticated and primal.

Recognizing and displaying these beginnings is important, but not the main influence of this show for each artist. They have both since been exposed to many other influences and cultures in design and illustration. Both agree that graffiti alone is not their voice. This show will display new marks they have made ‘Mano y Mano’ on their artistic identities.

The opening night of “Mano Y Mano” will take place on Friday, April 15th, 2011 at Above Second Gallery between 6 pm and 10pm (details below).