Avila, Andrew

Hello everyone, my name is Andrew Avila, my preferred name is Andrew, and my pronouns are he/him. I'm taking this course (WAC128), with a few others I’m sure, from within the department of World Arts and Cultures. Being in the WAC department is kind of interesting because although it belongs to the School of Arts and Architecture, you meet a lot of people in this department with wildly different interests, which is something I really like. As for my particular interests, I’d consider myself as somewhat of a mixture of things. Chief among these, would probably be a hybrid between designer and artist. I’m heavily interested in the fashion apparel industry, specifically the worlds of high fashion and sneakers, though not necessarily in that order. Additionally, I'm also very interested in ‘creating’, and I think that sometimes labeling yourself  as being a ‘designer’ or an ‘artist’ is a bit too limiting.  In terms of research I’m very interested in how up and coming designers and artists can combat issues of un-sustainability and modes of unethical production that have existed for years within the fashion apparel industry. My interest in this course however, is primarily aimed at becoming familiar with LatinX and ChicanX artists. I’ve sort of come to a realization as of late, that as a young, aspiring, Latino multi-media artist/designer most of my “heroes” and “biggest inspirations” within the world of art and design don’t share this demographic with me. And while there is nothing wrong with looking different from your heroes or inspirations, I find it a little disconcerting that I do not know of many LAtinX or ChicanX artists/designers. While I’m sure there is no lack of artists and designers belonging to this demographic, I want to familiarize myself with those who do exist, as well as those who have come before me.