Week 10 Blog Post

 After reflecting on the artists we have learned in class I decided to reflect on Barbara Carrasco. Barbara Carrasco is an artist who has a BFA from UCLA. She is also a feminist. In 1982-1990, she was a part of a public art fund that invited contemporary artists to present computer generated work. Barbara created a work called "Pesticides!" which showed the dangers in agribusiness. In 1989, she participated in the Public Art Fund's outdoor computer animation series called Messages to the Public. This program allowed artists the chance to team up with computer programmers and create animated sequences for display on the Spectacolor light board in Time Square. Barbara used this time to show her longtime support of the United Farm Workers. She wanted to continue on with the United Farm Workers boycott efforts and like the United Farm Workers she diversified the methods of spreading awareness. Her project created a shift in resistance media from handmade posters to far reaching digital capabilities. Below, is a picture of Barbara Carrasco and Cesar Chavez standing in front of the Spectacolor lightboard in New York. It is important to remember that digital platforms have not replaced traditional Chicanx art forms but it has helped artists put out different graphic modes to carry out their advocacy for protesting injustice, improving education, cultural self reflection, and solidarity with oppressed populations.

Another piece of art that Barbara created that stood out to me was a lithograph she made of her brother not letting his pregnant wife go to college. This piece shows a woman constrained by yarn. This piece stood out to me because there have been times in my life where I felt I was being controlled and had to do what others wanted me to do. It also reminds me of the old fashioned beliefs that women are expected to give up their dreams in order to make a family. Which is something that I have seen in my family as well. My grandfather did not want my tia to go to college because he believed she should be at home and ready to start a family. However, my tia was able to convince my grandfather into letting her attend college and she has become one of the most successful people in my family (and is married with children). Which goes to show you women can still follow their dreams and have a family. Aside from learning about Barbara Carrasco, one of the most interesting things about the class was getting to do the Wikipedia project. I got to discover an artist and share her pieces with the class and also had the opportunity to learn about my classmates artists. Overall, this class has allowed me to think creatively and find my voice as a Chicanx artist.