Lunares Explores the Unseen Power of Tears in Lágrimas: Rain, Glitter

What is the true power of tears? According to visionary artist Lunares (she/they), weeping is a powerful and universal vehicle of transformation and healing—a theme they are exploring in their first solo exhibition Lágrimas: Rain, Glitter at Mestizo Institute of Culture and Arts (MICA). Emotionally stirring and visually stimulating, the showcase is a marvelous display of the vulnerability and strength that lies within tears.

Running from February 24 to March 30, Lágrimas: Rain, Glitter is a testament to Lunares’ skills as multimedia artist. No stranger to international acclaim, Lunares has had work highlighted by several international brands, such as Disney, HBO and Hulu. Nevertheless, Lunares continues to return to Utah. Originally from Mexico City, Lunares has spent two decades living in Salt Lake City, becoming a pillar of the local arts scene. Their work at the FICE Gallery and SLUG Magazine has cemented them as a rising star in the state. “I want people who see my art to connect with it, and because I’m here, I get to see that in-person.” 

Lunares draws on her background As a Latinx artist, as well as her own unique perspectives to create work that is universally meaningful, yet deeply personal. This makes MICA the perfect home for Lágrimas: Rain, Glitter. For over twenty years, MICA has platformed diverse artists in Salt Lake. Celebrating queer, POC and Indigenous individuals, MICA has continuously fought to make Utah a place where everyone has the freedom to express themselves. Speaking on her involvement with MICA, Lunares says, “I love that it’s focused on the community and that it makes me feel represented.” Her duality as an immigrant also inspires this collaboration. “There’s a very specific experience of trying to connect with your cultural heritage with where you are right now,” says Lunares, “I feel that it’s important to showcase those stories and I really like that the gallery supports that. It’s who I am and I’m so happy that [MICA] gives people access to that.”

“There’s a very specific experience of trying to connect with your cultural heritage with where you are right now.”

In Lágrimas: Rain, Glitter, her pieces take on spectacular 3D forms, painting the exhibition space awash with texture and color. “I wanted it to be an immersive experience,” says Lunares. “I wanted to pay homage to the worlds that we create internally.” Beading, illustration and embroidery are all on display in her showcase. Vibrant hues of blue and fuschia suffuse her work, accomplishing a look that is visually pleasing without feeling artificial. Each piece touches on deep themes of resilience and self-discovery, melding into a kaleidoscopic experience of what it means to cry.

“I wanted to pay homage to the worlds that we create internally.”

To this end, she invites us to wander through our emotions uninhibited. Lunares says, “I want [viewers] to feel introspective and self-reflective. One of my favorite things is when people come up to my booth at markets and tell me their personal experiences.” This desire to provoke and connect is emblematic of the exhibit’s inspiration—Lunares’ realization of how tears may give us better insight into ourselves and help us grow. She says, “There was a period of time when I couldn’t cry at all, and I kept trying to make myself feel that I could cry. I kept saying ‘Please! Just one tear!’ to myself.” Her exhibition is an ode to the relief that came when the dam finally burst. “I think that once that cork was taken out, I was able to feel and capture sadness and joy when I needed to again,” Lunares says.

“I think that once that cork was taken out, I was able to feel and capture sadness and joy when I needed to again.”

Lágrimas: Rain, Glitter is hosting an opening reception on Saturday, February 24 from 6–10 pm at MICA. The exhibit runs through March 30. If you can’t get enough of Lunares’ art, you can check out their Instagram @alethialunares, their website lunares.party or their Giphy account @lunaresalethia. For more work by marginalized artists in Utah, check out the Instagram page for MICA @mestizoarts_slc or visit them in person at 95 S. Rio Grande Street at The Gateway.

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