I think Chuck Ramirez would have been tickled to see Blue Star last night. It was awash in a vivid blue, purple, white and reds. There were candles, tents filled with food, and music. The seats were filled with friends and family. When his family spoke they could not have been more poignant. His friends speeches brought tears to those in the audience as did the song a friend wrote in his honor. Inside was just as tasteful with red glassed candles glowing around quotes associated with Chuck pastd onto he concrete floor. Framed by the candles arrangement an art film was projected onto the wall. This was an interview of Chuck as if you were talking over his shoulder as he sat on a couch. Speech bubbles appeared with thoughts (either his or the viewers) like a sunday comic strip. His photographs were on display in the back gallery inside the main gallery at Blue Star Art Complex. In the small gallery played a video of a speech he gave at SAMA not too long ago. And in a quiet space just off the main gallery was the
ofrenda for Chuck. There were candles, artwork, letters, pictures and tons of flowers to a great artist but more importantly to a great person. I can not say it any better than was said last night,
"to a man who took on many challenges, Chuck was an example"(paraphrase). He took them on with sincerity, passion and a truthfulness to his own aesthetic. He is someone that you would remember having met. His passion and his zest for life. Love ya Chuck.
