ALICIA ESQUIVEL
This month I decided to interview a fellow art history major, co-worker at the library, and now a teammate on our zine project, Alicia Esquivel. I felt that she deserved an interview because she is such a firecracker. Whether it be through words, fashion, or personality, she has one of the distinct personalities in my life and I felt like I should share it with you all. Being involved in the arts, I chose the Menil Campus as Alicia's playground. I love her Twitter account.
How old are you? Where are you from?
21. Houston, TX (specifically Pasadena, TX area)
How did you get into art history? Why did you choose it as a major?
Throughout junior high and high school I was a music person (wanting to follow the footsteps of both older brothers and joining band). When I got to high school I had an art teacher for homeroom. I loved the art room and talked to him about joining an art class, after one year in painting I dropped out of the marching band and stayed in art. I was honestly too afraid to pursue a studio major and ended up going the art history route. I’ve ended up loving art history more than I ever could have imagined. I kind of went with my gut and she ended up being right.
What is your favorite art period?
I’ve definitely gone through phases during college. I was head over heals for the Surrealists at the beginning of college. I would say that Rodin is probably one of my favorite artists. More recently I’ve been doing a lot of work on graffiti and street art because of my Senior Honors Thesis. While it’s been fun I don’t think this is where I want to continue scholarship. My recent study abroad in Spain brought Spanish art close to my heart but I think I’m most interested in feminist art. I don’t know if I’d really call it a period though, so maybe I never answered this question?
What are your career aspirations with it?
I think I am aspiring to become a curator, at least that was my intention going into an art history degree. Now that I’m almost done with my undergraduate degree, I’m recognizing more places I might fit in. I think if I shoot for curator it will ensure that I’m heading in the right direction for something I want to do.
You always have great nail polish, where does that come from?
Sometimes I do thematic designs for holidays and the rest of the year is just experimenting with new techniques that I either accidentally started doing or something I saw online. I used to not even want to see what other people were doing but then I realized that was stupid and I've learned a lot of cool things from other people doing crazy nail art. And one of my good friend's mom works at a nail salon so I'm always asking her to tell me her mom's secrets!
What were you in love with in high school?
A lot of dumb things I think. A couple of very dumb boys I’m for sure of that. I definitely loved the OC (still think Adam Brody is pretty dreamy). Church…and Bright Eyes. Ha.
What country do you relate to the most?
USA seems like the easy choice, right? The only other country I’ve really spent time in is Spain and I think I related to that country a lot when I was there. First of all there are ties with my family name (I take a lot of pride in my family name, have it in a tattoo and don’t plan on changing it at marriage). There is also an amazing energy—long lunches with naps then staying out till 6 in the morning? Life isn’t about your career there, it’s just a part of it—they know how to have fun.
Where are you dying to travel?
GREECE! So much history. Awesome old buildings, awesome old rocks, awesome old water. So much old stuff…Greek food. Great musical!
You have such a distinct style, what inspires you the most?
I can remember always wanting to be a hippie. Of course, my understanding of a hippie used to be cool people who wore flowers, tie-dye, bell-bottoms, played guitar and stuck it to the man! Then I learned a little more and actually found myself compelled with the actual political and social aspects that existed with the aesthetic style I appreciated so much. So I guess I always try to mix in some 60s/70s influence into everyday clothes.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Realistically and what is "the dream"?
I will at least with my Masters degree (a PhD still frightens me but it might happen). And hopefully working somewhere or anywhere in the art world where that degree came in handy. The dream (that almost lives in a separate universe) is that my comedy career takes off and Tina Fey, Mindy Kaling, Lena Dunham and I are all gal-pals.