Maizzey On A Mission
As Cinco de Mayo approaches each year, I find myself reflecting not only on the historical significance of the date, but on the diverse and meaningful ways I’ve had the privilege of celebrating it alongside brilliant creatives whose talents I deeply respect. This annual moment offers more than an opportunity for festivity—it invites remembrance, cultural dialogue, and artistic exploration. One such example remains close to my heart: Divinemoira Studio’s 2015 interactive installation Maizzey on a Mission, created in collaboration with Session Taco (formerly Mission Taco Joint). This piece emerged as both a symbolic and participatory experience, made possible through the distinct and independent contributions of artists Danielle Aslanian, Rose Merello, and Megan Hutt.
To appreciate the cultural and conceptual roots of Maizzey on a Mission, it is essential to revisit the true origin of Cinco de Mayo. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Though a relatively minor holiday within Mexico, its commemoration in the United States—particularly among Mexican-American communities—has evolved into a broader celebration of heritage, resistance, and identity. For many, it is a day to honor ancestral resilience and to amplify cultural expression in its myriad contemporary forms.
With these themes in mind, Maizzey on a Mission was conceptualized not as a static display, but as a living sculpture—one that invited public interaction while honoring Mesoamerican symbolism. Maizzey herself was inspired by the sacred maize plant, which has long served as a cultural and spiritual cornerstone for Indigenous communities across the Americas. As a sculptural form, she represented both nourishment and endurance, migration and memory. Each element was constructed with deliberate care, using a combination of reclaimed materials, rich textures, and layered symbolism to evoke connection across time, space, and personal experience.
The process of creating Maizzey was as layered as the sculpture itself. Each artist worked independently within their own studio, developing individual aspects of the piece without the influence of a centralized workspace. This approach fostered a diversity of interpretations within a shared thematic frame, encouraging a fusion of voices and styles while maintaining a cohesive narrative arc. The final sculpture came together only shortly before its public unveiling—an exhilarating convergence of perspectives that mirrored the communal spirit we hoped to evoke in our audience.
Integral to the installation’s interactive dimension was the offering of milagros—small, devotional charms used in Mexican folk traditions to express gratitude, request healing, or invoke protection. The sculpture literally aimed to leave an imprint of those who engaged with it.
Maizzey on a Mission served as a conduit for shared experience, a tactile space for reflection, and a heartfelt tribute to the traditions and resilience at the core of Cinco de Mayo. It also stands as a testament to the magic that occurs when artists trust in both their own vision and the collaborative alchemy of creative partnership.
As this year’s Cinco de Mayo approaches, I carry with me the memory of Maizzey and all she came to represent.
