Teen Takeover: 21Minus Curators
Drawing for 21Minus* poster
© MCA Chicagoblog intro
The Teen Creative Agency has been preparing for 21Minus, the MCA's annual exposition of teen creativity and passion, all year! Meet some of our first-year TCA curators and preview a few of the works that will be featured at 21Minus on Saturday afternoon.
Alanis Castano
What do you do?
I’ve been doing photography for six years. I started expanding into mixed media and installation art two years ago.
How have you felt like you’ve changed since joining TCA?
I’m able to express my emotions better, which is something I have always struggled with. I am also able to facilitate larger conversations in my communities.
What is the one movie you’ve seen the most?
School of Rock
What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
I eat things off the floor and/or out in the street. I’ve eaten half a granola bar I found out on the street in lower Wacker. Today, I ate a sandwich off a table at TCA that someone had already taken a bite from.
If you had entrance music what would it be?
"Cry Me a River" —JT
Bella Masterson
What do you do?
I’m into film, I write, and I play violin.
How have you felt like you’ve changed since joining TCA?
TCA made me more confident in myself and my work. It’s an incredible, supportive community that makes me feel empowered and full.
If you could be anything in the universe, what would it be?
I would be a busy little bumblebee.
What is your least favorite movie?
I hate the Minion movie.
If you were a super villain, what would your master plan be?
I would probably try and colonize a planet. Not very evil but I don't know!? Maybe the planet could be colonized by a weird freaky species?
Camarri Lane
What do you do?
Photography but moving in between videography and clothing design.
How have you felt like you’ve changed since joining TCA?
Changed a lot. Not as introverted as I was.
What is the one movie you’ve seen the most?
Pulp Fiction
What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
Eel or fish eggs
If you had entrance music what would it be?
"The Brown Stains Of Darkeese Latifah part 6–12 (Remix)" (just the bass line)
Efrain Dorado
What do you do?
I watch movies and listen to music then write about it. I also play drums.
How have you felt like you’ve changed since joining TCA?
My self-confidence went through the roof. I’ve always been extremely talkative and it’s something I’ve always been insecure about but I’ve learned to embrace the positive aspects of putting my voice out there.
What is the one movie you’ve seen the most?
My mind says The Social Network but my heart says The Lego Movie.
What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
I ate a dog treat once.
If you had entrance music what would it be?
Kanye
Kalina Gac
What do you do?
To be honest I work with anything I need to work with to carry across what I’m feeling or what I have in mind. Sometimes it’s photography, sometimes painting or drawing, clay, food, scanners, etc.
How have you felt like you’ve changed since joining TCA?
I feel like I’ve grown into myself. I’m more sure. I know myself better. I love people more fully and I’m so much more in tune with everything. It makes me smile just thinking about how far I’ve come.
What is the one movie you’ve seen the most?
MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
Sometimes (a lot of times) I try to eat flowers, but they’re normally a lot more bitter than they look.
If you had entrance music what would it be?
Ideally I would want something cool like a nice but suspenseful instrumental, but it’s probably just every single ABBA song ever released played at the exact same time.
Tina Anushka Nair
What do you do?
I am a painter, illustrator, and aspiring animator; I work with acrylic paint, brush markers, and more. I love dealing with themes that relate figures and portraits with human nature.
How have you felt like you’ve changed since joining TCA?
I’ve learned to silence my fears and insecurities and bring light to what makes me unique. I’m no longer afraid to embrace the unknown and be myself while doing so. Furthermore, I am even more confident in bringing what I’ve learned about challenging established norms to other parts of my life.
What is the one movie you’ve seen the most?
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World
What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
Fish eyes in a fish curry
If you had entrance music what would it be?
"National Anthem" by Lana Del Rey
Marcus Bacerra
What do you do?
I work a lot with 2D design. I mostly use marker, ink, and paints.
How have you felt like you’ve changed since joining TCA?
I am now able to carry a conversation without it being too awkward.
What is the one movie you’ve seen the most?
Probably Big Daddy or Tarzan
What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
I eat a lot of weird shit.
If you had entrance music what would it be?
Either "Dangerous Woman" or "Anaconda"
Srinidi Gopal
What do you do?
I make paintings and sculptures.
How have you felt like you’ve changed since joining TCA?
I’ve gained new friends and experiences.
What is the one movie you’ve seen the most?
Mulan
What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
Dirt
If you had entrance music what would it be?
"1999"
Helen Hu
What do you do?
2D traditional and digital
How have you felt like you’ve changed since joining TCA?
I can willingly touch people now.
If you could be anything in the universe, what would it be?
A tardigrade
What is your least favorite movie?
The Last Airbender
If you were a super villain, what would your master plan be?
Become a corporate lawyer, earn lots of money, secretly fund and direct tissue engineering and reproductive cloning research, produce a malleable, powerful army, proceed to world domination by force, implement a global brainwashing propaganda program, save the bees.
Art experiences
This is a very small selection of the many performances, installations, interactions, etc. being presented at 21Minus. Be sure to see all 23 on Saturday!
Video
Chloe Graham, Post Mortem Crush Club
soundcloud player
Video
announcement
*Sidenote: All ages are invited to attend.