Catch my Monarch butterfly piñata!

migration c/s (A pop-up community exhibition)

Hello, I'm Isaias Rodriguez, known as the Little Piñata Maker. Crafting small wonders, my little piñatas, no larger than my palm (about 4 inches), reflect my passion for celebrating art and culture. I've proudly showcased my creations at community events, galleries, pop-ups, museums, and on my website.

Following the success of my "resilience c/s" installation at the Craft in America Center (Los Angeles) and "abundance c/s" at the Mingei International Museum (San Diego), that featured over 200 Monarch butterfly piñatas, I'm excited to turn this into an interactive community experience! With your support, I aim to fund pop-up installations in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Fresno, San Diego, and more.

This artwork is very personal for me. After losing my oldest sister, Emilia Rodriguez, to cancer two years ago and my mother, Irene Rodriguez, this year, I feel compelled to continue to honor their spirits in this creative expression. In some cultures, the monarch butterfly is believed to symbolize the spirits of loved ones who have passed away. It is thought that these butterflies carry the souls of the departed, bringing comfort and a sense of connection to those who encounter them. The vibrant transformation of the butterfly is often seen as a metaphor for the journey of the soul.

Each pop-up will feature 100 Monarch butterfly piñatas, hung in public spaces. These miniature artworks will carry QR codes linking to a video message from me, explaining the community exhibition and how participants can engage. I'm seeking a minimum of $2,500 per pop-up location to cover production costs and ensure a memorable experience for the community.

After hanging the piñatas, the community can collect them, scan the QR code, and follow instructions to participate. I encourage each collector to share a video or picture stating their name and who the piñata represents for them. Collectors can also contribute by sharing their locations, which will then be integrated into a dynamic Google map tracking the migration of every small butterfly piñata. This feature enables the sharing of videos and pictures directly on the map, fostering a visually interactive community platform that vividly captures the collective impact of this unique exhibition.

At each pop-up, I will partner with a local organization to host a FREE workshop for the community. Stay tuned for more details as I travel the country throughout my journey.

Your investment and participation in this community exhibition are invaluable. Thank you for considering a contribution and being part of this creative journey!

Isaías D. Rodríguez

c/s