This piece is part of our SJCtoday Q+A series. Do you know someone we should interview? Nominate them here.

Chica-New Media artist Ricardo Cortez (aka "Tijuana Rick") is one of San Jose’s six 2022 Creative Ambassadors and is producing a program that celebrates our city’s cultural diversity, while incorporating S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) and San Jose's history of lowrider cars.
Oh, that's all?

We had to find out more about this new art workshop — what inspires him, and what he loves about this city.

Rick made this pedal car that runs on auto-mode to lift + lower on its own. | Photo via Ricardo Cortez

Q: When did you know you wanted to be an artist + how did you make a career of your calling?

A: I've been creative ever since I was a child, so thinking creatively through problems or creative projects, and expressing myself creatively has always really been second nature to me. I'd say that my undergrad at Santa Clara is where I found my artistic voice. And then I got a master's degree at San Jose State […] where I found the depth of my artistic abilities. And it really opened my mind to the arts, just like as […] an ecosystem, it was pretty crazy.

Q: Tell us some background on your 408{ART} program — what are you most excited about?

I’ve been recreating and remixing this concept of sound-reactive lights since about 2013. And it started off as a passion project and really turned into an obsession of mine, which is where I started researching and digging into the history [...] The theory really goes back to the 1700s, where people were experimenting with light and sound, and how they interacted with each other.

So the program mixes in that theory, and mixes in some art history and [explores] artists of diverse backgrounds that really influenced it. Students will walk away with new knowledge, hopefully new concepts of art, and how all these practices can mix together [...] So for me, it’s super exciting to see what they’re going to create.

It’s my way of being able to give back to the community and bring people together to create art.

Q: What about San Jose inspires your art?

A: San Jose has always been the epicenter of innovation for me, you know? Not only in agriculture from back in the day, but technology being in Silicon Valley and even lowriding. A lot of innovative builders of lowriders came out of San Jose and advanced the technology of hydraulics. There [were] so many shops out here […] in the 1970s that really created this explosion of this culture.

I’m really inspired by [the] nostalgic history of San Jose — not only my own nostalgia growing up in the ‘80s […] but also listening to older stories of what San Jose used to be like, before I was born.

And so all that nostalgia is what inspires me, but then also, like a fleeting nostalgia. So what I tried to do with my inspiration through San Jose is find those items that have lasted the test of time, whether it be a memory or a physical space.

Rick's "Frida Santisima" is inspired by motion light art of the '70s. | Photo via Ricardo Cortez

Q: How important is it that you're able to teach art to youth?

A: The youth are the ones that are going to continue to move the traditions of lowriding, innovative art, and culture forward. They’re the carriers of the torch when we get old.

What I would love to have happen is to be able to influence a child’s journey in a positive way. I was influenced when I was younger, like being able to really explore the curiosity that I had at a young age and take that into a career path.

But if there’s just one student out of these 100 that are like, ‘Man Ricardo, that program really changed my perspective on what I can do in life as a career,’ that’s totally worth it to me.

Q: What advice would you give to budding artists?

A: It’s gonna sound cliche, but follow your passion. But then also, don’t be afraid to be very niche in your art style, because there’s going to be a community out there that really loves what you do.

I was kind of disheartened by trying to apply to galleries and get into exhibits and whatnot to show my artwork, and there was a lot of being turned down. So don’t get discouraged by the denials into certain exhibits, because at the end of the day, that’s not really what it’s about.

I think you’ll get more support finding a community of people that really dig your artwork. You just gotta keep creating.

Q: Convince a friend to move to San Jose in 15 words or less. Go.

A: Come cruising Monterey road, you’ll be hooked. The culture is here and isn't going anywhere.

Q: What local eatery do you crave + rave about?

A: I’ll give you one that I wouldn’t expect to see on any lists — there’s this really amazing family-owned Mediterranean deli called 365. They make these huge, incredible sub sandwiches. Since this one’s family-owned, I think it makes it more special and I’m definitely happy to support them.

Q: What do you hope San Jose is like in 10 years? 20 years?

A: I would love to see San Jose more affordable in the next 10 years. I mean, you just keep hearing stories about families that have to move out because they can’t afford it. Even though they have generations of San Joseans in their family history, they got to leave.

In 20 years, I’d love for San Jose to be more renowned as a destination for some kind of unique attraction. I don’t know what it is yet, but some ideas that come to mind are celebrated car cruises like they do in Modesto. Or, the return of Cinco de Mayo parades, which were super popular back up until the time they ended, it brought people from all over.

This interactive piece is a digital archive of families' histories migrating from their former home — through a sculpture of a Paleta cart. | Photo via Ricardo Cortez

Q: Describe San Jose’s personality in three words.

A: Cultural melting pot.

Q: Tell us about an obstacle you’ve had in life and how you overcame it.

A: When I was going to college, I went in as an engineer [major], but I really could not get the math, like it was beyond my comprehension regardless of how many hours of studying I put into it. So I had to basically break down and talk to a counselor and say, ‘Alright, I need a new path’ and they suggested I take […] an art class, and I chose digital art.

The rest is history after that — who knows where I would have been had I not taken that class, or even spoke to that counselor, or even just like flunked out of the major altogether. So I think the big takeaway is, always ask for help as an option. There’s always someone that can give you a different or new perspective on your path and it could be definitely a game changer for you.

Q: Name 3-5 other local leaders, movers + shakers you’re watching.

A: Sam Rodriguez is a San Jose artist, he’s amazing at his concepts, at his digital work, his mural work. Just the way that he pulls in different elements of culture into his artwork is like, so cool.

San Jose is Not For Sale is a great creative team […] interviewing residents and creating this film for San Jose, so that’s really cool.

Ruben Dario Villa, who is the founder of Fuchila Fresheners, which is a Latino-themed air freshener company. He was born and raised in San Jose and then he moved out to Gilroy, so his impact on the culture and how it’s gone international has been really inspiring to me.

Then, to lowrider-affiliated groups would be the San Jose Lowrider Council for creating this formal organization for the positivity of lowriding and promoting events. And Dueñas Car Club, which is an all-female, lowrider car club in San Jose, they're just doing great representation for San Jose. They were on the Kelly Clarkson show not too long ago, so those two groups are really pushing the culture forward.

Q: What’s something every new San Josean oughta know about?

A: For 10 years, I was able to see all the ins and outs of the [San Jose Parks and Recreation Department] and they have a really amazing regional park and trail system. Every regional park in San Jose has this unique theme to it, whether it ties to the neighborhood or it ties to the history of San Jose [...] there’s just so much to learn there.

So I would say, check out the 61 miles of trail that San Jose has that goes all the way up to Alviso, all the way down to Los Gatos, maybe even further, just by trail to definitely take advantage of because all the regional parks are free. Trails are free, and it's a really cool way to check out all of San Jose.

Q: If you were taking someone on a tour around San Jose, where are the three places you’re going?

I’d take you down Monterey Road, but specifically on an event called Boulevard Nights. It’s a lowrider cruise that’s been going on for almost 30 years now. And so, cars from all over California come to this one cruise because it’s just such a major event.

I’d take them up to the road that leads up to the Grandview Restaurant because there’s some really amazing outlooks and views of San Jose, especially at night or at sunset. It’s so high that you’ll get an amazing view of the city.

And then History Park is for sure my top three right there, because you get to see all these preserved houses and buildings [...] and you’ll get to see the significance of the communities that really were the backbones of San Jose. There’s like a house that’s dedicated to the Portuguese community [and] a Chicano history museum in there as well.