Guide to the Sean Carillo Papers
CEMA 85
University of California, Santa Barbara, Davidson Library, Department of Special Collections, California Ethnic and Multicultural
Archives
Santa Barbara, California, 93106-9010
(805) 893-8563
cema@library.ucsb.edu
Title: Sean Carillo Papers
Identifier/Call Number: CEMA 85
Contributing Institution:
University of California, Santa Barbara, Davidson Library, Department of Special Collections, California Ethnic and Multicultural
Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
2.0 linear feet
1 document box, 1 oversized box and videos
Date: 1990's
Series Description
This collection is divided into five series. Series I Biographical in two folders contains personal, biographical material
about Sean Carillo and his career. Series II Chicano Punk Rock Aesthetics in five folders, is made up largely of ephemera
about the East Los Angeles Chicano punk scene represented by such groups as “Los Illegals”, “Brat” and “Plugz”. Series III
Film Studies in two folders, contains a collection of film festival publicity and film critiques from the period of Carrillo’s
life when he was an avid classic and avante garde film fan. Series IV Chicano Art in four folders and an oversize container
consists of correspondence, manuscripts, and ephemera. Series V Video recordings contain three videos: Exploratorium Fashion
Show at California State University, Los Angeles, and early experimental Chicano performance art. Noteworthy, at the end of
VS0987/UM is a stage performance by the Chicano punk rock band “Brat” featuring Teresa Covarrubias on vocals.
Biography
Sean Carrillo was born in Boyle Heights, (Los Angeles) California in 1960; the eighth of nine children born to Jose P. Carrillo
and Elisa Arevalo of El Paso, Texas. He attended Resurrection Grammar School in East LA and Bishop John J. Cantwell High School
in Montebello, California. As a teenager, Sean completed a self-directed photography course at All Nations Neighborhood Center
in Los Angeles and later at the behest of Director Bill Maxwel he became a member of the board of directors as Community and
Youth Representative.
He attended Los Angeles City College and California State University at Los Angeles where he worked as the Events Administrator
for the Exploratorium Art Gallery. At Cal-State in 1980, Sean met visual artists Harry Gamboa Jr. and Gronk. He joined their
performance art group, ASCO, and toured with them throughout the Southwest for several years as a performer, artist and technical
director.
In 1984 Sean met Bibbe Hansen, daughter of the late Fluxus artist Al Hansen. They married and he became stepfather of two
boys, Channing and Beck. Shortly thereafter they adopted a daughter, Rain. In 1986 began he began work as an assistant editor
for Steven Eckelberry who was editing a film for director Paul Williams. He worked for several years as an assistant and then
graduated to editor. During this period he edited a film on global warming for the esteemed documentary director, Harrison
Engel and the legendary educational film company Churchill Films.
In 1990 Sean and Bibbe opened Troy Café in downtown Los Angeles which quickly became nationally renowned for showcasing the
best in multi-cultural music, art and performance, with a special emphasis on the Latino Arts Community. Troy Café was nationally
recognized as a premier venue for emerging artists.
From 1995 - 2004 Sean Carrillo has worked as a producer, director, editor and writer of industrial videos, commercials and
live events. Notably, he produced the in-flight commercial for Hawai‘i Pacific University that was played on airlines.
In January 2005 he and his wife relocated to the East Coast of the United States.Sean co-produced a video to commemorate the
35th Anniversary of Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) which was screened at their Anniversary Gala, at the Waldorf-Astoria
Hotel in New York City.
Scope Note
Comprised mostly of collected publicity materials concerning film festivals, Chicano punk rock shows, Punk bands and art exhibitions.
The collection spans one box and one oversize container. Videos are stored in the performing arts section of special collections
and are available upon request.
Conditions Governing Access note
Service copies of audiovisual items may need to be made before viewing or listening. Please consult Special Collections staff
for further information.
Conditions Governing Use note
Copyright has not been assigned to the Department of Special Collections, UCSB. All requests for permission to publish or
quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given
on behalf of the Department of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply
permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained.
Series I: Biographical
2002-2003
Box 1, Folder 1
Transcription of lecture, at UC Santa Barbara
May 5, 2003
Box 1, Folder 2
Interview with Bibi Hansen and Sean Carrillo, Rebel Magazine
Spring 2002
Series II: Chicano Punk Rock Asthetics
1978-1982
Box 1, Folder 5
Punk rockers flyers
1978-1982
Box 1, Folder 7
War and
Rare Earth
undated
Series III: Film Studies
1908-1986
Box 1, Folder 9
Film Announcements
1984-1986
Series IV: Chicano Art
1979-1992
Box 1, Folder 9
Exhibition Publicity
1981-1982
Box 1, Folder 10
Exhibition Publicity
1982-1984
Box 1, Folder 12
Articles, exhibition guide, correspondence, poetry [1979-1982]
undated
Box 2, Folder Oversize
Articles about the Troy Cafe.
undated
Series V: Video Recordings
Tape VS0985/UM
Exploratorium Fashion show, part 1
Feb. 3, 1982
Description/Comments
Black/white video produced by Sean Carrillo. Sean Carrillo is the Master of Ceremonies. Chicanas modeling paper fashions on
stage, including punk rocker Teresa Covarrubias paying homage to Chicana artist Patssi Valdez, appropriating the motif of
the Virgen de Guadalupe. Models include Chicana artist Diane Gamboa making a paper fashion statement. Mariachi background
music.
Tape VS0986/UM
Exploratorium Fashion show, part 2
Description/Comments
Part 2 features performance art pieces, including a kitten on stage with background techno music. Two students post a paper
art piece of three horses each wearing a women’s face mask on wall behind stage. Female student on stage with punk rock background
music. Creative, experimental dance performance.
Tape VS0987/UM
The Brat
undated
Description/Comments
Early experimental Chicano performance art. First part of tape features a youth spray-painting graffiti on paper posted on
the wall to the sound of Rolling Stones music. Then a young woman assembles and disassembles the posted art work and finally
pulls it down, collapsing off screen. Performance artist Gronk of ASCO conducting an impromptu dialogue with 2nd young man.
They sit on chairs drinking punch and hold a profanity-fest, followed by an “interview” with Chicano artist Tito Delgado.
Sexual innuendos and Q and A about his 1980 painting used a backdrop for the interview. Classical music is playing in the
background. Subsequent performance art piece with brushing on paper of the words “beware of bad art” followed by someone carrying
Tito Delgado’s painting across the stage. Re- posting of blank sheets of paper, followed by another brushing on with black
paint “The End.” Gronk and Harry Gamboa “interviewing” Chicano artist Richard Duardo. Sean Carrillo is off-camera as video
producer. Paper art on wall of upside down red heart with barbed wired above and below, and an outline of a female with legs
spread wide and a red hammer and sickle painted between her legs. Young woman later appears to tear up the paper heart. At
34-minute mark to the end of the 60-minute tape, the Chicano punk rock band “Brat” performs on stage at Aztlan Multiples opening
of Exploratorium. Features Teresa Covarrubias on vocals.
