Driving up to the Museum of Latin America Art (MOLAA), nestled in the heart of Long Beach, I felt a rush of excitement. I shared that energy with my Mexican mother, who accompanied me. 

Calling it “the MOLAA” gives it a sense of depth, like it’s something profound, something special. The abbreviation itself becomes a symbol of importance, being one of the few museums of twelve in the United States that centers around Latin American Art, giving the museum an identity that feels both great and personal. 

When we arrived, the lack of foot traffic caught my attention. It was almost empty. Sure, it was a Thursday afternoon, so I didn’t expect a crowd, but I didn’t expect it to be quite that quiet either. The quiet ambiance of the environment allowed me to focus on the art and the exhibits.

My first stop was the Robert Gumbiner Sculpture and Events Garden, bathed in sunlight. The garden displayed a variety of abstract art pieces. One sculpture in particular caught my attention—it looked as if someone had grabbed it and twisted it into intricate, fluid forms. The baby blue color gave it a softness, despite its steel construction, creating a contrast between the material and appearance.

It is important to note that artists, like this sculptor, have contributed to the broader development of art in Latin America. Artists like Jesús Rafael Soto, known for his kinetic sculptures, or Gego, who explored spatial tension with her geometric wire structures, have had a deep impact on Latin American modern art. Their work represents how Latin American art has evolved beyond traditional forms and themes, embracing abstraction and modernism.

I couldn’t quite grasp the meaning behind many of the sculptures, and even after reading the descriptions, I was left unsure. Latino art often carries a vivid narrative, rich traditions and symbols such as vibrant colors, folk influences, or aspects about daily life that are immediately recognizable. My state of “unsureness” persisted as I went through the rest of the museum. Perhaps while I was looking to immediately recognize certain symbols and depictions of the Latino culture and didn’t observe these things, the artist had a different intention that pushed back on my preconceived notions of what Latino art is supposed to look like. 

Inside, we entered the Arteǒnica exhibit, which highlights the strides Latin Americans have made in art and technology. The space was filled with interactive lights and sensors that responded to visitors, and I have to admit, if you have kids or younger siblings, they’d probably love it. 

One of the more impressive feats of innovation that I observed was a piece created by Lucia Monge, an artist from Perú who focuses on how humans position themselves in the natural world and relate to other beings, specifically plants. In her innovative piece of art called Primer Contacto, she strived to show the interconnection between plants and humans, which for me was one of the more impressive projects in the museum. 

Monge connected a contact microphone to a pen, which in turn was connected to a cable leading to the plants’ roots. The intention is for patrons to then draw the plants they see in the exhibit, and the recorded sound of the drawing travels to the plants’ roots, causing them to move ever so slightly, and the patron can then hear that sound. 

In addition to being a modern art museum, MOLAA also does extensive community work. They provide a multitude of scholarships to students across California school districts. They also have different programs and workshops available to students K-12, and the goals of these workshops are to educate and teach students about Latin Americans and the culture. 

Despite the innovation and creativity behind these projects, I felt a disconnect. I felt that the Latino culture that has shaped my life was absent.

Latino culture is an experience, and in my personal experience, we’re loud when it comes to pride in our respective countries. We do karaoke until midnight, and our music ranges from salsa to bachata. MOLAA, unfortunately, didn’t capture that essence. While it’s crucial to showcase our achievements in technology and science, these advancements don’t define our culture in its entirety. My mom even pointed out that the music playing in the museum lacked Latino representation: at one point, we heard a non-Latina artist, which only made that lack of representation even more noticeable.  

The one time I truly felt seen was in the Indigenous Latino exhibit. It was a powerful display of vibrant colors and clothing that truly represented Latinos. The traditional Peruvian clothing that was made from recycled materials, with its piercing magentas and blues, left me in a state of awe. In the Indigenous exhibition, Vermelho Como A Brasa, I observed at one point a sign that said, “This is Indigenous Territory,” something that to me was striking and spoke for itself. 

This exhibit connected native roots many Latinos share. I walked down the hall looking at the photos of Indigenous people and tribes, reminding me of my culture and where my family is from. My father is Honduran, and his grandmother was Garifuna, a culture seldom discussed or celebrated in mainstream media. I often feel disconnected from this part of my heritage, but the exhibit inspired me to explore those roots and learn more about the history that’s been overlooked.  

Despite my positive experience with the Indigenous Latino exhibit, as we drove home, I couldn’t shake my feeling of disappointment. While I think it’s essential that a museum like MOLAA exists to showcase Latino culture, it misses the depth and authenticity of what, to me, it truly means to be Latino. I think that in trying to modernize, they lost sight of the roots and purpose behind a museum meant to celebrate us.

Although the museum focused on modern art, and the familiar symbols and themes I associate with being Latino were not as present, it’s important to recognize that perhaps Latino art is evolving. Not all Latino art may need to be rooted in the traditional ideas we tend to associate with our culture. 

I’ll admit, accepting this was challenging for me. I’m more traditional when it comes to my culture, and I don’t see that as a negative thing. However, visiting a modern art museum exposed me to depictions of my culture that I wasn’t accustomed to. It wasn’t the representation I was seeking, but that doesn’t mean the museum lacked proper representation altogether—perhaps it simply offered a different, more contemporary lens. 

In the end, while I wouldn’t tell anyone to avoid the Museum of Latin American Art, I also wouldn’t strongly recommend it to those who don’t appreciate modern art. Yes, this museum is full of innovation and creativity created by Latin American artists, and the genuine passion of these individuals is apparent.  I also believe museums like these are important to showcase Latino culture year round and not just a menial month where people only seem to care about us to sound politically correct. 

To cap off the night, my mom and I stopped by a taco stand- one of those spots where you feel a little uneasy because it’s dark and tucked away, but as soon as you hear the loud ranchero music and smell the grilling meat, you feel at home. Spanish conversations fill the air, and tacos are shoved into your hands. And while a taco stand is not a representation of all Latino cultures, I enjoyed the warm cross-cultural exchanges.