Final Post

This class taught me a lot about art and the process of creating.  I have not drawn or painted since I was young and doing so now was a very unique experience.  Any art class that I have taken in my life has been very euro-centric (like most other aspects of education), they have also been art history type classes and had no creative development at all.  Being forced to draw weekly and almost daily helped me to to develop my drawing skills ( though I am still far from what I would consider an artist.)  I learned about how therapeutic it can be to freely create, especially with such a tumultuous quarter.  I also learned that I was able to relate to my classmates through our art, and how much fun it is to go to an art store with friends and buy new supplies! :]  I learned that chicana art is extremely varied, and isn't just guadalupes and fridas.  I thoroughly enjoyed this class and I am excited that I now have art supplies and skills to keep creating.

Chicana Print Makers

This article was very interesting.  It discusses the print making traditions of Chicanas.  One interesting aspect that was discussed was subject matter.  The author makes a point to note that Chicanas do not spend a whole lot of time discussing things like motherhood or romantic love, which may seem counterintuitive to some folks.  I liked this point because I feel that so often when art is created by women identifying individuals it is pigeonholed as cheesy or over romanticized.  I think that Chicana art may work to reject this stereotype intentionally.

One piece that I think relates to this is Ester Hernandez's karate virgin.  It shows la virgen as a woman who is not only a mother but also a strong mujer ready to kick ass!  Of course images like this are always met with horror, shock and often protest.  These images however are not meant to demean Guadalupe, but instead to empower her and in turn empower other Chicanas.  Images such as this one create important dialogue about what it is to be Chicana and the limiting way in which women are often viewed, and sometimes view themselves.  By using familiar icons the message is strengthened and turns a familiar story on its head.

Carmen Lomas Garza - Sandia

The piece I chose to focus on is "Sandia".  This painting stood out to me immediately because of it's beautiful colors and relatable subject matter.  This reminded me of summers spent with my family playing with my cousins outside.  Sandia is often used as a symbol of national pride due to it's red white and green colors, which resemble the Mexican flag.  Garza creates an atmosphere of warmth by bathing the porch in a warm yellow glow.  It almost seems as if the Garza is saying that the home is a safe space, while everything beyond it is touched with darkness.  This same use of warm colors is echoed in the clothing that the family is wearing.  This piece shows Garza's typical narrative style that tells the story of a family enjoying time together.  However, it also holds an element of seriousness by portraying the world outside the family as dark and mysterious.  This is something Garza often does with her art, shows a happy scene on the surface but with a lesson that lies beneath it.  She also pays close attention to small details, like the lizard on the window pane or the black cat that lurks just beyond the confines of the porch.

An Open Letter to Isis Rodriguez

Dear Isis Rodriguez,

I am writing to you because I am taking a Chicana art class in which I had the pleasure of taking time to research your work.  I was so inspired by the message you portray through your art.  I believe that as underrepresented as chicana art seems to be, your subject matter is even more under represented.  Sex as it pertains to adolescent girls is a very taboo subject.  Much of your artwork tackles the idea of the adolescent girl who seems to be stuck between girlhood and womanhood.  In a society that shames women for being sexual beings, this dialogue is very important.  Also, in chicano culture, there tends to be a certain amount of added over-protection.  Many of the pieces in your LMA collection spoke to this idea...of both empowerment as well as vulnerability.

Secondly, your pieces about your time as a sex worker were particularly enlightening.  I identify as a chicana feminist and often sex positivity is discussed in feminist discourse.  Sex work often exists as a type of gray area where it is unclear whether it is oppressive, or empowering.  As you discussed on your blog, those who attempt to criticize sex work are often accused of slut shaming.  However, having experienced these ideas first hand your insight is objective and important.  I agree with the opinions you formed and the way you present them in your work.

You inspire me and your strength and wisdom are apparent through your artwork.

In solidarity,
Renee

Week 5 F2014CastagnaRenee

The artist I enjoyed the most this week was Yreina Cervantez.  I enjoyed the way she incorporated indigenous influences into her art. The piece that stood out to me the most was Balam Baby.  Another element of indigenous influence is the title, wherein Balam is Mayan for Jaguar.

This piece is done in the style of Olmec sculpture.  The Olmec are considered the "Mother Culture" of mesoamerica, predating the Mexica and the Maya.  The similarity in style is evident in the down turned mouth and the eye shape.  There are theories about the olmec and these sculptures and there origins.  There are hundreds of olmec "baby" sculptures that have been found in connection with the Olmec.  There are some hypotheses that suggest that when children were born with Down's syndrome or other birth defects, the babies would be worshipped among the Olmec.  Yreina captured this element of indigenous art so perfectly in her piece, and painted a woman with very indigenous features and skin tone, rather than a Eurocentric one.  

week 4 post

The artist that resonated with me most was Margarita "Mita" Cuaron.  As she explains on her website,

"I am aspiring to create a multifaceted, multicultural, and humanistic expression, including themes such as people's lives, the rites of passage, birth, and death. Art is my choice of documenting how I see the world and its people." I think she does a good job of capturing this through her work. The piece I enjoyed the most was the breasts pictured with the slice of watermelon.  It represents fertility, national pride and womanhood.   The colors are beautiful with bold brush strokes and bright colors.  The watermelon represents mexico through its white red and green colors.  She cradles the watermelon almost protectively. I also identify with Cuaron because she is mixed race like I am.  I think that this creates a unique experience that is shown through her artwork.  I also like the fact that she was self taught, I believe that gives a unique look to her art.  All of her identities, as a chicana, a woman, a mixed race individual, and an artist are apparent in her work.

Here is the list of Dia de Los Muertos events Professor Lopez asked me to post:

http://laist.com/2014/10/24/9_of_our_favorite_day_of_the_dead.php

enjoy!

F2014 Castagna, Renee

The image I chose to create a stencil with was the image of a joker.  This particular image was from the clothing company Joker brand.  I chose this image because I have always had a fascination with LA cholo culture.  The image of the joker is very common in the imagery of gang life.  The idea of the sad clown is poignant, a person who always seems to be unfazed and joking while inside they are broken or crying.

I have always liked the image of the joker and what it represents.  I believe that while gang life is something that should never EVER be glorified, a lot of prison art or gang art is very beautiful and in my opinion should be considered when speaking about chicano art.  I think it is almost it's own genre of chicano art, though I'm sure many would disagree with me. Having had many friends and some family members that have been to prison, prison art is something I am familiar with and have been exposed to for many years.  Though some people would want to try to pretend that it doesn't exist, I think it is important instead to embrace it and study it as someone would any other art form.  It is complete with stylistic rules, overarching symbolism, and many other aspects of fine art.  It is a form of art that I have always appreciated and I think it is truly beautiful. 

Artist Selection

The artist I am selecting is Barbara Carasco.

Week 2 Virgin of Guadalupe

If you grew up with the Virgin of Guadalupe, reflect on your own experiences. What did/does she mean to you, your family? How do you feel about the feminist interpretations of Chicana artists and about questioning the legend/icon?

If you did not grow up with this image, then reflect on an important icon/image in your own family, community, culture. Tell us the story/legend of this icon, and its meaning. Has it been reinterpreted? How would you question it's legend?

I grew up with the Virgin around me in many different forms.  Being mixed race, Italian and Mexican, the virgin was everywhere in her many forms.  However the Virgen de Guadalupe was more present in my life.  She is everywhere and I consider myself a collector.  Anytime I see anything with her image, I feel compelled to buy it.  This has included, but is not limited to, piggy banks, wallets, shirts, candles, cell phone cases, bags, paintings, earrings, hair clips and even a belly button ring !  I am not a particularly religious person, however I feel la Virgen transcends religion and becomes an important cultural figure.  To me she is always transforming and takes on many forms.

The original story of the virgen was that she appeared to Juan Diego, an indigenous man, and told him to build a church for her.  However, the virgen has been re-imagined in many ways.  The legend falls short in historical accuracy in the form of dates, evidence, and some discrepancies .

I enjoy the feminist interpretations greatly!  I do not see any disrespect in the images in any way.  I think that they have taken a ubiquitous image of Chicana women and using it to tell stories about the Chicana experience that falls outside of the mold of virginous, dutiful mother.  I don't think that this is ever done with malicious intent, but is used instead to communicate a story or a feeling.

Castagna, Renee

Hey everyone!  I finally figured out how to use blogspot, and got a new link, and am home from my prima's baby shower so here I am.  

My name is Renee Castagna.  I am a transfer student, and am a senior this year (5 years of college later, lol!).  I am an Anthropology major, and my main interest in the field is Mesoamerican Archaeology.  I also work as a PLF for Anthro with AAP.  I took this class because I enjoy Chicano Studies classes and enjoy art, so I figured taking a class that focused on both would be an excellent experience, especially an art class that focuses on mujeres.  I enjoy learning about art and how it pertains to pop culture, and this is exactly what Chicana art will promise to shed more light on.