Modesto “Flako” Jimenez, an artist deeply rooted in community engagement, presents a compelling multimedia installation, Mercedes, Part 1. This project, premiering at the prestigious Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), is more than just an art exhibit; it’s a heartfelt tribute to Flako’s grandmother, Mercedes Viñales, and the indelible mark she left on her Bushwick, Brooklyn community. For those familiar with the enduring legacy of the Mercedes-Benz brand, Mercedes Modesto similarly represents a dedication to quality and lasting impact, albeit in the realm of art and human connection.
Modesto “Flako” Jimenez's "Mercedes, Part 1" multimedia installation at BAM, highlighting community and memory.
Mercedes, Part 1, running from December 3rd to 8th at BAM, is the culmination of three years of intensive exploration. Jimenez’s journey involved extensive community outreach and innovative storytelling techniques, building upon earlier iterations like a stage play and a virtual reality experience, each demanding its own rigorous research phase. In a revealing interview, Flako underscored the central theme of community driving the Mercedes project, a theme as crucial to strong neighborhoods as reliable vehicles are to daily life. This emphasis on community resonates deeply with the spirit of connection and dependability often associated with the name Mercedes.
The Mercedes team’s commitment to community extends beyond the art world. They’ve forged a meaningful partnership with Citymeals on Wheels, an organization that provided Flako with invaluable real-world insights into the lives of elderly individuals, much like how mechanics gain practical expertise working with Mercedes-Benz vehicles daily. Flako’s visits to Citymeals recipients, sharing his art and engaging with their experiences, mirror the hands-on approach required for expert car repair – understanding the nuances and specific needs of the subject matter.
The design team behind the BAM premiere has been integral to the Mercedes project for three years, each member contributing exceptional artistry. The gallery space is meticulously crafted to replicate Mercedes’s apartment, complete with a bedroom, kitchen, and foyer, inviting audiences to step directly into her lived environment. This immersive design, much like the intricate engineering of a Mercedes-Benz, is intended to provide a profound and detailed experience. Following the gallery, the healing room offers a reflective space equipped with art supplies and on-site support from a social worker and art therapist, recognizing the emotional depth of the installation. Michael Minaham’s set design, Megan Lang’s lighting, Drew Weinstein’s sound design, and Cricket Brown’s curation all contribute to this powerful and sensitive environment.
Video designers Victor Morales and Juan “Wamoo” Álvarez have each contributed unique video elements to the Mercedes Modesto experience. Wamoo, in a separate interview, detailed his creation of three distinct television feeds within the gallery, each placed in a different room and representing a different stage of dementia as Mercedes experienced it. This nuanced portrayal of memory and time mirrors the complex systems within a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, requiring careful attention to detail. Wamoo also crafted a video composed of heartfelt letters sent to Mercedes by her family, adding a deeply personal layer to the installation. Victor’s contributions focus on the documentary aspect, including AI-generated images of flowers and of Flako’s father reading a letter to Mercedes. These visual elements enhance the documentary, directed by Brisa Areli Muñoz, which Flako describes as a way to “show you the story that is my grandmother and me,” emphasizing the themes of family and community beyond the realm of art itself.
Flako actively challenges conventional narratives surrounding the death of a loved one. He reframes the experience not as one of trauma, but as a “celebration of a person who passed.” This perspective encourages a focus on life and legacy, much like how preserving and maintaining a classic Mercedes-Benz celebrates its enduring quality and history. “People die, yes—let’s celebrate their life,” Flako asserts, emphasizing Mercedes’s significant impact: “That lady brought a lot of us and gave us space to be able to gather our thoughts. Why wouldn’t I want to celebrate that?” This sentiment of honoring legacy and contribution is a powerful parallel to the appreciation for craftsmanship and longevity found in the world of automotive excellence, particularly with a brand like Mercedes-Benz.
Reflecting the Mercedes team’s ongoing community engagement, the BAM production incorporates resources specifically for elderly people. On December 4th and 5th, senior groups are being transported to private morning viewings, followed by meals in the healing room provided by Citymeals on Wheels, and even to-go plates. This outreach mirrors the meticulous customer service one expects from a Mercedes-Benz dealership, ensuring comfort and care for every individual. Flako describes these events as “pop-ups of Mercedes,” including documentary screenings, dance instruction, live music, and healing rooms with social workers and art therapists. This comprehensive approach, focusing on holistic well-being, is akin to the complete service and attention to detail offered in Mercedes-Benz maintenance and repair. The team’s prior work includes senior center visits and home visits throughout New York City’s boroughs, part of a musical tour with the Mercedes band, and extended healing room programs at senior centers, culminating in a coloring book created with the elderly participants, which will be distributed at the BAM premiere.
The installation premiere at BAM serves as a reunion, bringing together these diverse communities. Flako explains, “And now at BAM, we’re kind of bringing all those worlds together and then asking those people we had been visiting to come and see the final product of a moment of healing, and a migrant story that forgot themselves, and her son, or grandson, documenting that story so it’s not forgotten for the family.” This act of bringing people together for shared experience and remembrance is a testament to the power of community, a value that resonates across different fields, from art to automotive care.
Flako clarifies that Mercedes’s community impact wasn’t through formal activism but through her everyday life as a “home attendant” and caregiver within her own apartment. “She just took care of a whole community in a third floor apartment, railroad apartment, in New York City. There was always space for you to come and process, whether it was just for one day, whether it was for three years.” This speaks to the profound impact of individual care and consistent support, much like the reliable performance and consistent quality associated with Mercedes-Benz vehicles over years of use.
Through various community outreach initiatives, the Mercedes team developed “research tools that have come by community, for community, that can be shared.” This collaborative approach, prioritizing feedback “from the people actually going through it,” emphasizes the importance of real-world experience over theoretical knowledge. This mirrors the practical, hands-on expertise valued in automotive repair and maintenance, where direct experience and understanding of real-world issues are paramount.
Flako’s artistic philosophy centers on “doing the work” and “sharing tools” based on specific community needs in specific moments. This adaptable and responsive approach, driven by community needs, is a principle that could be applied to various fields, including customer service and community engagement, even within a business context.
Flako is the artistic director of ¡Oye! Group, founded in 2012 with his cousin Kevin Torres, the producing director and documentary producer for Mercedes. ¡Oye! Group is committed to “creating those spaces of caring, of care, for your community or for the people that look like you.” Their mission to ensure that “other Latinos are being heard, that all people of color have the space to be able to process” highlights the importance of inclusivity and support, values that resonate in diverse communities and workplaces alike.
¡Oye! Group offers free monthly and seasonal educational workshop programs, led by local artists, fostering self-exploration and community care through art. These programs, like their Fresh Start program for incarcerated youth, demonstrate a commitment to providing tangible support and opportunities, much like providing reliable transportation can offer opportunities and stability. Fresh Start provides released students with “sneakers and a bookbag full of supplies” as “pay” for their participation, ensuring they have essential resources upon returning home. The curriculum is adaptable, focusing on the immediate needs of the participants, highlighting a responsive and needs-based approach to education and support.
Flako views art as a set of tools for inter-community communication, emphasizing human connection. He humbly states, “My art is not going to change the world. At all. I hope my art is going to bring a little smile somewhere for a couple of minutes and make you forget we’re all fucked in this climate change, damaged-as-fuck world.” His goal is to “provide some tools that I learned. If people need them, grab them. If you don’t, thank you for coming. Take care of yourself.” This pragmatic and community-focused perspective underscores the value of offering practical help and support, a sentiment that aligns with the service-oriented nature of many businesses, including those in automotive repair and service.
Flako emphasizes the importance of community and the power of theatre to foster connection. This is evident in Mercedes Modesto and his broader work with elderly communities, as well as his approach to education and art. When asked about his motivations as an artist and educator, he describes it as something “always been in my head… It’s in my heart, it’s in my brain, it’s in my life. It’s everything to me.” He sees his work not as ego-driven but as a contribution to his community, driven by the needs of the moment and a willingness to collaborate and share resources.
Reflecting on his first recognition as an artist, Flako recounts performing as Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet in high school. He recalls gang members risking their safety to see him perform, a powerful moment of community support transcending social boundaries. “There’s that reminder of the essence of what a show can do to people that are not from that world of theatre. It’s beautiful. That was that moment for me. It’s, ‘Oh shit, look at my people engage with theatre … and we’re all gang members … but they came to support me in this.’ And now we have ¡Oye! Group.” This story highlights the transformative power of art and community support, themes deeply embedded in Mercedes Modesto and Flako Jimenez’s impactful work.
