☆ What makes Silicon Valley so distinctive? Reflect with local artists, writers, and performers (1/4)
Angels in the Architecture (2006)—courtesy of Kathryn Dunlevie—invites us to view Stanford Memorial Church through a variety of angles and shots, all collaged together to offer “a complete experience in one brief, shining moment.”
New Year ‘25. The world’s tech capital. Here’s part 1, below, of a special roundup with 14 creative leaders—celebrating the Valley’s unique beauty, cultural diversity, and artistic spark. An Opp Now exclusive.
Elizabeth Gomez, local painter, Silicon Valley Artist Laureate: My most favorite, distinctive thing about Silicon Valley besides its natural beauty, with so many hikes, hills and oak trees, is the magnificent blend of diverse cultural heritages. I particularly enjoy the Asian and Latinx presence evidenced by delicious foods, colorful festivals, and deep-rooted arts. As a Mexican American artist, I feel at home here. There is a fabulous celebration of Día de Los Muertos in Redwood City. If you have not been to it before, I strongly recommend that you join us next Fall!
Jezrael Gandara, local filmmaker, Silicon Valley Artist Laureate: I'm originally from Texas and came out here five years ago. What resonated with me about Silicon Valley was the people.
Living on the east side of San Jose in particular, I'm surrounded by many different cultures, some similar to my Latino/Mexican cultures; and that's the beauty of it. It makes the city stand out more. In a rich landscape of technology and business, I believe the people are what make Silicon Valley special.
My films are inspired by people and identity and especially my own roots as a Mexican American, as well as the neighborhood I live in. And they usually have characters or messages that people in my neighborhood can relate to, while also trying to break the stereotypes of Latinos in certain roles. In Silicon Valley, I get the most artistic inspiration from the people around me.
David Denny, local poet, Silicon Valley Artist Laureate: Tonight, as I step outside, the gibbous moon shines brightly upon my patio. From the crown of the Sand Pines beyond our Redwood fence comes the hoot of our neighborhood Great Horned Owl. Soon the coyotes will emerge from their den; around midnight we will hear their yips and yowls—one or more of them might howl his location to the rest of his suburban pack. In daylight, we hear from the Spotted Towhee, the House Finch, the American Crow. Above it all, the Red-tailed Hawk and her mate patrol their domain. I hear that humans also live in this valley.
Emanuela Harris-Sintamarian, local visual artist, San Jose City College and San Jose State University art professor, Silicon Valley Artist Laureate:
What I really like and have found not only welcoming but also gratifying is how diverse Silicon Valley is. You find this fascinating mélange between east and west cultures—not just the United States' east and west coasts, but western and eastern worlds. Silicon Valley's aesthetic is also affected by the tech.
There are many, multifaceted artist opportunities in Silicon Valley. Here, art has more of a presence than in many other states (and art in every form: visual arts, theater, etc.).
I remember moving to California—like any other European, I dreamed of living in CA—and my initial thought was to move to Los Angeles, where I'd been accepted in several schools. In LA, they generally view the Bay Area as a small province. But after moving here myself, I realized it's so much more than that.
As someone who grew up in a communist country, it's easy for me to contrast that enclosed, rigid way of thinking with Silicon Valley's diversity and experimentation. If you're from here and have only lived here, you may not realize how awesome it is.
Go Deeper:
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