This weekend in the arts: Diana Benavidez at Athenaeum Art Center;"Many Happy Returns" at Light Box Theater;"Small Acts" at City Gallery; Camarada at the Mingei; an open house at The Conrad and Backyard Renaissance's production of"Abigail's Party."Piñatas are border artist Diana Benavidez's"preferred medium," merging the traditional Mexican party accessory with something more disruptive, or a political or social statement.
In the show, ten piñatas represent a variety of objects and symbols that reflect the decisions and actions women take to feel safer being alone in public, or out after dark — like the way women hold keys in a certain way to use as a weapon if needed. One piñata takes the shape of a set of brass knuckles, another looks like a bra made of bombs with the phrase"ponte trucha" written across the cups. Benavidez said that"ponte trucha" means"be aware," but she said the literal translation from Spanish is more like"wear a trout."