Mutant Piñatas and a DIY bar: your guide to Art Detour

You didn’t think one article this week about upcoming events was enough with Art Detour happening did you? T.J. Triolo is back people! I’m here to give some love to these interesting events thanks to Art Detour taking over downtown. These events may not be stuff you’ve heard of, but they should be fun. And if they’re not, send me your nasty complaints so I can send you many sad face emojis with my apologies.

Bobo Yo: RE: appropriation
Friday, March 15
5–9 p.m.
FOUND:RE
1100 N. Central Ave.

Yo, Bobo Yo is a local artist! I absolutely love his alias. He’s created some work that reimagines his childhood’s fictional characters in a different style, and this art will be on exhibit at the FOUND:RE hotel. I am curious to see what that would look like. His art seems to be mainly a two-dimensional style created with thick lines, which gives a kind of foreboding look. Some of the characters mentioned are Popeye the Sailor Man, Olive Oyl, Batman, Robin and Pikachu. Honestly I’d like to see a darker version of Pikachu myself.

Event link: https://phoenixurbanguide.com/event/2117/third-friday-bobo-yo-re-appropriation-/

The Other Side: Art by Dora Hernández and Cristina Cárdenas
Friday, March 15
6–9 p.m.
Olney Gallery at Trinity Cathedral
100 W. Roosevelt St.

Immigration is a big experience that many of us will never have. I think it would be pretty enlightening to see a visual perspective on the experience from people who have actually lived it. Dora Hernández came from Cuba, and she’s created art to express her feelings on immigration through ceramics, using patterns in clay and bird images. Cristina Cárdenas’ art centers around her cultural perspective as a Mexican immigrant living in Tucson for more than 20 years. This immigration topic is where the “Other Side” name comes from, so come here and see what it’s like to take it on the other side. I had to throw that Red Hot Chili Peppers reference in there. They are, after all, my favorite band.

Event link: https://phoenixurbanguide.com/event/2121/the-other-side-art-by-dora-hern-ndez-and-cristina-c-rdenas/

Mutant Piñata Show
Friday, March 15–Sunday, March 17
6–9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday
Weird Garden
1008 N. 15^th Ave.

Piñatas can be art too! This show is dedicated to strange piñatas, which are the most fun type anyway. There will also be a table to make your own piñatas, which you can take home or leave at the exhibit. I just have one request: Leave these poor piñatas alone, and don’t break them like all the ones sold in party stores! Art piñatas can (and should) remain as art to roam happy and free after the exhibit is over. Or maybe I’m just thinking of my old Viva Piñata video game, where piñatas were living animals that you took care of.

Event link: https://phoenixurbanguide.com/event/1334/mutant-pinata-show/

Downtown DIY Bar
Saturday, March 16
12–5 p.m.
Downtown DIY Bar
1325 Grand Ave

The Downtown DIY Bar isn’t open yet, but they will be providing a sneak preview and opening their doors to the public during Art Detour. This way you’ll get a look at what’s to come, including drinks, sugary goodness in the form of sweets, a retail boutique and DIY projects. There will also be tiny crafts you can take with you! Also, the first 25 people in will get special gifts, and who doesn’t want free stuff?

Event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/364425301064269/

Conception Art Show
Saturday, March 16
6–10 p.m.
Unexpected
734 W. Polk St.

Here’s a variety of art in one place for you! Photography, paintings, mixed media art, digital art and other mediums combine to create a whole array of things to see. There will also be music provided by a DJ, a cash bar, food and some of the art will be for sale. Part of the money from the show also will go to Free Arts, which helps kids who have gone through crises in their lives. So go see some art and help some kids! Tickets cost $20.

Event link: https://phoenixurbanguide.com/event/2106/conception-art-show-phoenix/

Contact the reporter at thomas.triolo@asu.edu.