Manuel Pardo: Universo Soñado in Technicolor

by Mike McGee, David Frankel, Susana Torruello Leval

Manuel Pardo: Universo Sonado in Technicolor (a universe dreamed in Technicolor) is a two-hundred-and-thirty-page full-color book published on the occasion of the exhibition Manuel Pardo-Stardust: at the Cal State University Fullerton, Begovich Gallery, April 9-May 12, 2011. Drawing from his life experiences, pop culture and fine art references, Pardo has developed a distinctly unique style: His comic strip and cartoon influenced figures and imagery are constructed of pert flat local color, ornate handcrafted lines and decorative patterns. He routinely works in series of repeated like images with slight variations. Just beyond the sensual appeal of Pardo's drawings and paintings are pointed references to gender, mortality, ethnicity and other issues regarding the human condition-not the least of which is his struggle with sexual identity and acceptance as a gay male Cuban American."

271 pages, Hardcover

First published September 28, 2011

About the author

In 1999, McGee helped form Bleeding Edge Spoken Word, under the directorship of his then-roommate. Over two and a half years, the two released 33 compilations of contemporary American spoken word. Although the label is now defunct, McGee started his own imprints – 3XMsound and 3XMpress, in 2001 – in order to produce and release his own CDs and chapbooks.
In 2001, after three years of competing at the San José Poetry Slam, McGee earned a spot on the slam team and went to his first National Poetry Slam held that August in Seattle, Washington. He then returned to the National Poetry Slam with the same team in 2003 and 2004.
In 2003, McGee co-founded the Vancouver, B.C.-based "talk-rock" trio Tons of Fun University with Shane Koyczan and C. R. Avery. Their debut was before a crowd of 15,000 at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, July 2004. The trio has since toured extensively throughout Canada, performing primarily in music festivals.
In 2005, McGee performed a revised version of his popular poem "Like" on a fifth season episode of Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry on HBO.