Powerful

I will not add the image because two other student have already shared it, "Don't Shoot," ink, graphite, prisma, and water color on paper (2014). This image is gripping and speaks to everyone regarding the signs of the time.

The overwhelming show of force is what captures my attention right off the bat. Why do these Police officers have more equipment than I had while I was in the military? As a child, I was given explicit instructions by my father to speak up and assert myself as a proud American. Now, a father myself I fear my son will have difficulty since he is of African American descent on his mother’s side.

I would however like to share an image from the past that this piece of art reminded me of. Also it helps me as a Historian to bring the past into the present and add context to our current situations here at home. “Flower Power,” Bernie Boston, photograph (1967) shows a Vietnam protester in Washington, D.C. placing a flower in the barrel of a rifle help by a National Guardsman. Both images show law enforcement here in the United Sates trying to intimidate its citizens. To me the flowers represent peace, and show that the answer lies in the middle.

Great Wall of Los Angeles

When Rosemary Sanchez mentioned, “The Great Wall of Los Angeles” multiple contributors paint on concrete (1976) during her Judy Baca presentation I was intrigued. I immediately looked up information online. I am a History Major here at UCLA, and my emphasis is on social movements from a minority perspective. To see that the tagline for the mural is the history of California as seen through the eyes of women and minorities made it even more appealing.

As Rosemary mention The Great Wall is 13ft x 2,754 ft. it is on Coldwater Canyon located between Oxnard St and Burbank Blvd. The space makes it one of the largest murals in the world. Art work depicts scenes from colonization until the 1950’s. Some of the images show pre colonization and colonialism and mostly consists of events in the 20^th century such as, Chinese labor contributions to the United States, refugees from the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression, the Japanese-American internment of World War II, the Zoot Suit Riots, the Freedom Bus rides, the disappearance of Rosie the Riveter, Gay rights activism, the story of Biddy Mason, deportations of Mexican-Americans, the birth of Rock and Roll and the development of suburbia. The wall covers the history of California up to the 1950s. Judy Baca supervised and planned each segment strategically.

The medium is considered social realism. The content depicts historical facts and does not ignore the dark side of American history. The wall is a great accomplishment and I am glad it was discussed in class. I will make it a point to visit the wall soon.  

Carmen Lomas Garza is a bad ass

The Image I selected is Baile (1999) Clear coated copper cutout on powder-coated steel.

After looking through the blog I saw many of my favorites already selected. Baile, was impressive to me mostly because of the scale. This piece is 16ft x 24ft x 5in. As I mentioned in my paper, Garza’s work and mediums are so different it would be easy to assume it was the work of another very talented artist.

It has been a pleasure reading and studying the works of Carmen Lomas Garza. While everyone has been impressive, Garza's images relate to me and my life in a way the others do not. Maybe I am more conservative than I'd like to admit, or maybe family means a lot to me and her images remind me of the people I love the most. This is not to say that she is better or that the other work is controversial. I believe the contrast is what makes education and art so important. It also shows the wide range of talent and emotions of a strong Chicana community. I hope to see some of her works in person so I can truly appreciate them and share what  know with my family.  

Stencil

I chose an image that is very popular among many movements with in the Mexican community. The Eagle is a strong symbol of the America people, especially the indigenous cultures on this large continent. Growing up with Mexican and European blood I struggled to identify with both cultures. As I matured I discovered that being of mixed decent is not limiting, it is actually liberating and gives me the opportunity to explore all identities and create understanding and equality. As I began to learn more about Chicanos I started to volunteer with various organizations around Oxnard. Two years ago, I matched with Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez’s grandson through a historic route in Oxnard, Ca. With the UFW I filed legal paper work on behalf of many farmworkers seeking fair pay and working conditions. I like the idea of having this image on my cover page, because as I continue to learn and grow this will be my banner of change and discovery. As I view the other images people are selecting, I can see strong individual identities in this class. All the art work we have worked on has allowed me to respect the artists more. Their talent and skill is impressive and should be regarded as such. 

Week 3 Blog

The portion of the article which stood out to me the most was the brief, yet highlighted my time in the military. When I would hear commentary about fellow Chican@s or other Latinos it upset me because when I would look around I saw Men and Women proudly wearing the uniform and defending the flag of the Unites States. Many of our innate values are shared by those who call themselves honorable patriots, yet the public would categories us all as illegals or suggest we are sub human in more drastic narratives.

 This point ties me right into the section of ethnicity, which like Goldman suggest is driven by society more than science. America has all but decimated its indigenous population. This has created a melting pot of cultures and identities. A place such as this should embrace and accept diversity. However, history has taught us otherwise.

The section on class is important to me because in my opinion racism is a word that has little meaning in this day in age, especially in the United States. What you have is more important than what you are. The Art work inspired by Race, Ethnicity and Class pay homage to those who went before us and are symbols of our pride and motivates current and future generations to strive for more.

Images like this now bring a strong sense of understanding to me. We are a race of immigrants, who are ethnically diverse, and will do all we can to improve our situation so that others in our family can have more.