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Building National Pride

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 NEW show of Gabriel Figueroa Matoes is on view until June 27 at the El Museo Del Barrio, 1230 Fifth Ave. (at 104th St.) in New York.

He was born in Mexico City in April 1907. Between 1927 and 1932 he trained as a photographer, learning the most important aspects of this work, such as the use of artificial lighting, retouching negatives and the insights of nude photography. He established his own studio and began creating promotional photographs for actors.

And from there as a camera operator and cinematographer to create the popular memory of the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920).The cinematic restaging of the revolution made use of the graphic media, popular songs, novels, stage plays, photographs and documentaries, all of which gave inspiration to his work.

As he declared: "I am certain that if I have any merit, it is to make good use of my eyes to guide the camera in its task of capturing not only colors, lights and shadows, but the movement of life itself."

Throughout the pictures and scenes from his work he aimed to build a national pride and empowered iconography for the Mexico of the early 20th century.

Figueroa always acknowledged that his photography was influenced by the works of Diego Rivera, Jose Orozco and Alfred Siqueiros who had a new way for him to perceive human beings and objects. He also worked with the legendary Spanish director Luis Bunuel. Despite their vastly different aesthetic views, their collaboration created some of the most unique and provocative instances in the history of the Mexican cinema.

One of the central and unifying themes of Figueroa's work is the endless variety and majesty of the Mexican landscapes. He had the knack of overdramatic, overcast skies, rugged terrains and crashing waves to corroborate his reverence for the country's natural wonders. He died in 1997.

John Oliver Photo by Michael J. Lutch

John Oliver Steps Down

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FTER preparing the Tanglewood Festival Chorus in more than 200 works for more than a 1,000 performances, John Oliver is retiring. The Boston Symphony Orchestra announced that the 75-year-old Oliver will retire at the end of the Tanglewood season. The August 16 performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony will be his last piece.

"I really do feel that it's time and I think that it's a grand chorus--never been better," he said.

In honor of his 45 years of service the BSO will present him with its distinguished service medal.

Oliver will remain on the faculty as master teacher.

AJOYO Composer and multi-reed player Yacine Boularès, who founded the Paris-based group Ajoyo, has created an album that combines jazz, North and Central African dance traditions, and soul.　Yacine, from Tunisia (by way of Paris), has played with and arranged music for several outstanding Cameroonian musicians and also for Placido Domingo’s latest album Encanto Del Mar. His selections on Ajoyo, laced with the pleasant lead vocals of Sarah Elizabeth Charles, are a delight.