Land Art Project

This tree once was full of life and now it appears to be at the end of its lifecyle.  The other plants have not been affected by whatever this tree has. Its roots are exposed and the outer bark has been shed like a second skin. There is no color or sign of life existent - the branches are fragile with every drop of moisture withdrawn.  What happened here?  There is a brush near full of color and life. The tree's roots are outstretched towards the shrub as if reaching for the nutrients it needs so desperately. 

    I chose this subject because it stood out to me. I really enjoy looking at trees shape, size of truck, and the vast limbs that stretch out and their colorful blooms that decorate our streets and parks. Also, the fact that I see life and death next to each other reminds me about life in general. All things that live do die, maybe some earlier than others, tragically.

Yoko Ono

Yoko Ono was born in 1933 in Japan. She was born into a wealthy family but she learned early on to be an assertive person when she and her family lost everything in the bombing of Japan in 1945. She learned to stand firmly and be decisive and assertive in her actions by modeling her mother. They had to be strong to survive-they had become beggars- while living with some family members in the mountains after the bombing.Yoko moved to New York later and went to high school then to a local college. She studied art and exhibited her work in New York Galleries. Her earlier works in the 1960's through 1970's were more an avant-garde style.  Yoko, today is recognized as an influential artist who pushes the boundaries of the art, film, music and theater media; moreover, she participates in philanthropic contributions to the arts, peace and aids outreach programs. 

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Farm Lab in Los Angeles

It was a good experience to see the unique and interesting collaborations of nature mixed with urban life. Viewing the Farm lab website is most definitely helpful in educating a person about the purpose of this company yet I did not grasp a few of the concepts personally until seeing with my own eyes and talking with an employee. " Preserving the balance of nature among the city life" is a quote from the website. If I had the time I would go so far as to attend one of the workshops offered  just to learn additional information about the various projects and their significant contributions to the inner cities of Los Angeles.

This is a recycled wood bin which was referred to as an agbin ( I think) This bin was used for something else previously and recycled, and used for new growth with the city. I see recycling as a necessity. Treating our planet better.. why kill another tree for the purpose of another manufactured wood. Leave less of a carbon footprint and make the most of the materials within our reach that are recycleable.  This remind me of the idea of wine barrel containers that are recycled after their use into planter bins, too. The Temecula Wineries do this with there old wine barrels and also sell them to any interested parties from their vineyards. 

Maybe this means we need greener vehicles.

 The "Not Another Cornfield" project's purpose was to plant and grow corn in soil, that was full of toxins, in hopes of extracting the toxins out through the growth of corn. Of course after the corn was grown and removed it was disposed of but the field was cleansed of its inpurities.  The picture below is where once the corn was grown.  It is now an open landscape full of growth, free of toxins, and is an available space created to visually please. There is a pathway for dog walkers and alongside are signs posted reminding pedestrians to clean-up after their dogs.

This field was previously,  "Not Another Cornfield"

Another city is Possible

This area appears to be where workshops occur.  This was in the building / parking garage area near  unit # 4.

The Museum of Jurassic Technology / David H. Wilson

Rotten Luck, "The Decaying Dice of Ricky Jay"

The Museum of Jurassic Technology is an educational institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and public appreciation of the lower Jurassic.  David Wilson and his wife Diana Drake Wilson are the owners of the museum, and David Wilson said that the word museum originally meant a spot dedicated to the muses, a place where man's mind could attain a mood of aloofness above everyday affairs. Well,that is exactly what this couple focused on for this museum. There is a large amount of exhibits that range from art, natural history, philosophy, and anthropology but the factual claims of many of the exhibits lack strong credibility. Nonetheless, the museum attracts over 18,000 visitors yearly and the objects in the museum spur conversations and comments among the people. In the picture to the left, there is an write up about what these die are made of-chemically made of- and for the reason they are decaying.   Now, dice are made from a similar solution that is not toxic and are cheaper to produce.

Alexander McQueen

 Alexander McQueen was a extremely talented British fashion designer. He began his fashion design training at age sixteen.  He left home for an apprenticeship with British tailors then on to theatrical costuming.  From there he completed his masters in fashion design and since then has been a sensation. He worked for French Haute Couture House of Givency  from 1996 - 2000 and also sold 51% of stock to GUCCI and continued to as Creative Director.   He has won numerous Designer of the Year awards and a GQ Designer of the Year award in 2007. His designs resemble a fantasy feel of sensuality.  Elegance mixed with traditional fashion style. Alexander's shows have a reputation for igniting an emotional power; the audience is transported to a world filled with artistically designed clothing that- flows and billows-as the models walk. Delicate, fragile, feminine designs contrasted with traditional contemporary style lines.

Burning Man

Zonatopia by Rob Bell

The Sunflower Project by Eva Luna

Larry Harvey is the founder of the "Burning Man Project" which began in 1986. This project is held annually for one week in different locations.  For one week participants become a part of a community that is free of rules and regulations- such as clothing or lack of clothing choices - and people are able to let their creative imaginations run free without restrictions.  Each year there is a theme that is set for the event.  The participants than plan ahead and bring with themselves their materials to create their installations for the Burning Man Community Event. There is a list of guidelines to follow on The Burning Man website that details everything about the event annually,for example, all materials must be environmentally friendly.  This year's Burning Man is held in Nevada's Black Rock Desert on August 29 - September 5, 2011, and  costing anywhere from $210.00 to $320.00 per person.  I think the freedom to create and express oneself in such a community is adventurous and challenging.

Xavier Cha - My Artist Project

Holiday Cruise 2006

 "Holiday Cruise"  is an exhibition conducted in three parts.  Xavier has created multiple personas.  (1)  Horn of Plenty (2) Cornrow Hairbraid who dances expresively and (3) Polyhedra who is an elegantly masked and cloaked "deity of abstraction. Each persona comes alive at the month long exhibit for a week at a time that is a Bacchanlian Celebration at Taxter and Spengemann Gallery in NY.

Cleopatra's Presents - Hourglass (installation 2010)

Two-Way Mirror 2009

"Crystal the Nail"

Human Ad 2004

http://xaviercha.com 
This link goes directly to her webpage to view her video clip performances.

   Xavier Cha is a Happenings performer who is represented by Taxter and Spengemann Gallery. She received her BFA from Rhode Island School of Design in 2002 and then graduated from UCLA with a MFA in Sculpture in 2004.  She currently lives in New York and her work has been widely viewed throughout the U.S. and internationally.  Her artist style is categorized as exhibition, performance, conceptual performance, video art, and installation. 
    Xavier has experienced with alternate perceptions of space with her collaborative exhibitions. For example, in her "2010 Portal" iinstallation a space is created at a art gallery for a dancer to perform and create artist movements within that area.  A man video tapes the performance with a camera that is stabilized on robotic like legs to provide a more stable picture while filming. Why? For the observer or audience to experience an alternate perception of time and space.
   She is a frequent collaborator and she invites musicians, dancers, clowns and cults to contribute or perform in her projects and at times the invited guests add confusion to these happenings or performances.  In 2009  "Two Way Mirror" professional clowns come into the gallery and put on their makeup in a space at a gallery while passers-by observe and critique this HAPPENING.
    Another performance, for instance, 2006  "Holiday Cruise!" shows a beautiful assortment of colorful fruits and vegetables arranged along with a cultural like costume(Central or South American) in background.  However, there is a performer involved in this conceptual installation and she is buried within the arrangement of fruits and vegetables. Her feet appear sticking out.  She stays within character as though buried in the background as people walk by and wonder what does this suppose to say.   Maybe this symbolizes or conceptualizes in her opinion how people are barely visible to others when others are grocery shopping.  A person is without a face, name, or voice just present to sell vegetables.
   There are a variety of other solo performances such as Unsolicited Happenings that she creates. While she was in Los Angeles at one time she had to drive and noticed being visually assaulted by the mass advertisement of billboards and costumed outfitted patrons attracting the locals to come in to eat at their restaurant.  Xavier thinks human ads are absurd and so she decided to make an absurd pun in response to bring attention to the silliness and watch for reactions from the people in the area while videotaping for an an hour at a time. She dressed in a Fingernail costume in front of a nail salon. This one is funny. She is wearing an oval shaped cone over her head with her legs exposed dancing around on a corner. In another video there is man dressed like a shrimp dancing up some moves on a corner for a sushi restaurant.
     Last, Xavier has worked on many group exhibitions with other artists  She has contributed to the following exhibits:  2010 -Cleopatra's Presents, Quadruple Consciousness, Absolutely Others.  2009-Second Nature, Conventions, Invisible Adversaries, Skin Jobs. 2008 - PM Dawn, Agency - Art & Advertising Residents. 2007 - Uncertain States of America, Video Art in the Third Millennium. 2006- One Way or Another in Practice.2005, Makers, 2004 And if you Think You Can See Just with Your Eyes, and  2003 California Welcomes You. In Cleopatra's Presents, Xavier was a part of a group of artists, curators, who met at a cafe named, Cleopatra's in 2008 for two years.  These artists, who were all women, examined,discussed,and observed similarities and differences among their professions than presented their projects on canvas, video, photography, installations, and performances.
   What I have learned about Xavier is that she brings attention to her subjects by injecting the element of surprise,confusion and or mockery.  Forcing people to take a closer look to the beauty, absurdity, bizarre, and or less desirable things in life that are overlooked, she is able to communicate to the world through exhibitions why is the acceptable accepted. A different point of view I think is helpful in confronting what is considered average, boring, silly, and acceptable behavior in to our communities.  Art is in everyday life but what is the norm of acceptable art is a personal opinion that every person is entitled to.

Improve Everywhere "We Cause Scenes"

     Improve Everywhere was created in August 2001 by Charlie Todd.  Charlie's background began by taking classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in New York where he met most of the other performers in his Improvisational group named, Improve Everywhere.  In the Uptight Citizens Brigade, he learned about creating comedy sketches that generally pulled pranks on people in public places. There was a show many years back called,  Candid Camera, a funny show that pulled pranks on the public with comedy actors and a hidden camera. I remember this show from my youth and it was definitely fun to watch the real expressions of people unfold from shock and dismay to embarrassment or anger. Anyway, later this group formed to pull some pranks in the local communities of New York and are tamed by the local law enforcement on occasion.  Just to make sure the pranksters do not push it too far... no obscenity of language and or nudity.  The group has met annually since 2002 for their improvisation of "No Pants." This is a public displayed skit and the actors are in full bloom of their characters. A group riding the public trains with no pants on but of course, undergarments are worn, socks, shoes, blouses shirts ties, hats and et cetra. You got the picture... right. There are many other skits performed and this is just one of many funny pranks.  This I could image only causes many smiles and don't we need a little laughter in our lives?

Vanessa Beecroft

     Vanessa was born in 1969 in Genoa, Italy.  He art is a unique fusion of conceptual issues consisting primarily of recorded photographed events. Her subjects stand still, usually finding unity, among multiple subjects by wearing the same colored outfits, shoes, wigs, makeup, or color of skin. Her events and or performances mostly represent the female body; sometimes a woman is clothed and many times she is nude. What I read also stated that she uses the locations historical events as a backdrop but injects her personal view /  message in her displayed events. Thus, provoking her political angle arranged in a historical context.  What is she saying with her art? What I see is a woman taking on many roles in her life. Women strive to accomplish varying roles in society. Maybe my point of view is completely wrong. Nonetheless, her events are created before an audiences eyes and the characters/ performers usually stand motionless. So, in a sense her events appear like a painting being recreated before the audiences eyes. Some imagery is strange or confusing others are beautiful and symbolic.

     

Maurizio Cattelan Contemporary Artist

 

     Maurizio is an Italian born artist who is well known for his dark puns on social and political rules of acceptance in society. Maurizio held many odd jobs in his earlier years yet furniture designing served as his catalyst into the artist world. He pokes fun and does it with enough finesse to be successful.   He derives subjects from past historical themes as his focus and sometimes substitutes animals for people. A humorous style filled with a satirical angle can entertain but also can anger viewers, too. For example,  Him, 2001 is a photorealist sculpture of a miniature of Hitler in  prayer.  This  photo is a contradiction that would summons plenty of comments from observers near and far.  Another sculpture involves a collapsed squirrel who is dead, at a table in a kitchen, with a gun on the floor.  Maurizio seems to push the limits in many of these artistic installations/sculptures but he must be doing something right because people are paying him to show his work. Art has many forms and freedom of expression goes along with it. I am not saying I don't find some of his work comical because I do. He is quite talented in crafting creations and provoking emotions by viewers.

   

Lauren Bon / Not a Cornfield / Farmlab

Agricultural growth in bed of El Camino

     The following photographs are of vegetation or agriculture being grown, in the city of Los Angeles, for the Farm Lab project by trustee and owner Lauren Bon of the Annenberg Foundation. Her message is to bring attention of organic life struggling to live with in the confines of of an area in Los Angeles that is encompassed by city buildings, houses, open land and homeless patrons. 

      Another project of Lauren Bons is "Not a Cornfield."  This project was initiated in 2005.  The project's main focus was to bring to light the sounds of a field.  The 32 acre piece of land was a corn field in reality but the sounds of the land was the main purpose and direction of her project. Wind rustling past leaves of the field, bugs chirping, a train passing by sounding off its horn, and surrounding sounds of the local community were recorded.   Her group of members who helped in this project set-up two large speakers in the vast field three thousand feet apart to grasp a surround sound experience. Her projects bring attention to the smaller things in life that do not get much attention by the average person walking or driving by.  I viewed an interview of her by KCET regarding the Farmlab  project and I was inspired by her attention to the details of a street in Los Angeles that she focused on.  She turned this area into a cornfield and the volunteers assisted in raising corn crops that varied in multiple colors from pale white to blue-green, to purple-red, and chocolate.

The Beall Center for Art

When I attended the Beall Center at the UCI campus I viewed this exhibit of "Birds". I realized quickly what the focus was as the pneumatic apparatus began to fill with air. I love birds and I enjoyed observing the birds flight as I continuously walked in a circular motion around the project. If a person stands still the birds rest but as the observer grows closer the birds take flight to escape the passers-by. As you take a closer look at this picture, one views the narrow tubes above the birds transferring the compressed air to create movement in this fabricated sculpture.

 I am not sure what this is suppose to be but it resembles a shuttle.  The design looks like many elongated shaped balloons.  I had no idea what I was walking into when I arrived.  I thought I was going to see this giant blue balloon like dog; however, I missed that exhibit and I was pleasantly surprised by these two exhibits. It was quite loud in the studio as these sculptures would mechanically inflate with air.  There was an intermittent hissing and braking sound resonating throughout the gallery as people walked around to observe. 

Stelarc

 Stelarc is an Australian performance artist who pushes the capabilities of the human body by robotic manipulations. Modern technological creations are integrated with his body that reveal involuntarily movement that appear not feasibly possible. Also, pneumatics is used in Stelarc's functional mechanical performances. The compression of air or gases transfer through the apparatus creating movement pushing the limitations of body limbs.As I view some of his work I am reminded of the movie, The Matrix.  In the scene when Neo is reborn, he is first unhooked by all systems which are currently sustaining his fictional life form and than he is transported to the main ship by a mechanical robotic arm. This scene is so raw and intriguing. I especially cringe when I view the many nodules left on his body that must be further removed.

Harold Cohen

Harold Cohen studied painting in London at the Slade School of Fine Arts in 1968. He then moved to San Diego and became interested in computer programming. Since the 1970's he immersed himself in artificial intelligence and became absorbed with simulation and machines. His work medium involved robotic art, computer software and visual arts.
The software painting I have displayed consists of his earlier art work. I really like the definitive lines of the figure he has drawn and the way he was able to draw the human form so well through earlier versions of computer art software.

Tony Oursler

  Tony Oursler received his Bachelor of Arts from the California Institute for Fine Arts.  His work is influenced greatly from his connections with his family, catholic upbringing, and his generation of television, MTV.  He uses projections of the human face onto non-living objects for example, sculptures and dolls. .  Mr Oursler is considered one of the top outstanding video creators of this decade. He also was one of the first recognized video installation of artist in 1977-1989.  This is when he created handmade video tapes of The Loner 1980 and EVOL-1984, also he has worked with LED lights as the main medium in other artistic installations exhibited for instance,The Watching.

My artist: Bill Viloa

       Bill is an accomplished artist and is considered a significant contributor in establishing video as a form of contemporary art. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Experimental Studios from Syracuse University in 1973; also, he studied electronic music and visual arts there, too. 
     Mr. Viola has an extensive background of traveling from Florence, Italy to Solomon Islands, Java, Bali,  Japan  and the Sahara desert. For example, he has studied and captured images of mirages in Sahara desert, studied animal consciousness at the San Diego Zoo, learned about  medical imaging technologies of the human body, and observed fire walking rituals among the Hindu communities of Fiji.  He also studied Buddhism in Japan for eighteen months. Additionally, he has many collections of taping and photographing nocturnal desert landscapes,for example nature shows, for television with the help of his wife, Kira Perov a photographer. His combined education and diversified experiences have shaped and guided his career.
       Bill's works focus on universal human experiences such as birth ,death and also the paths of our unconsciousness.  The works are influenced by eastern and western spiritualism and art. Understanding the realization of the mind, wisdom, tranquility and the enlightenment itself of one's self has shaped his artistic expression in his video installations.  He also occasionally works for musical performance artists by designing a visual background that emphasizes a focal point in a performance. Water and subdued colors are a focal point in a particular video for the musical entertaining group, Nine Inch Nails.
       Bill emphasizes a state of mind or emotion in his works. I noticed after viewing many of his pieces there exist a range of expressive emotions translating anguish, loneliness, and unhappiness. I have not viewed yet happiness or any sense of contentment.  
      Water seems to be the focus of cleansing his subjects of  life's impurities or maybe this is suppose to emulate being born only .After viewing many of his video installations and reading about his history I can see more clearly how he is influenced by Zen and Christian mysticism.  Moreover, the intense emotion translated to the viewer is very powerful.  What I see is a storm unfolding.  When I look at some of his installations I can definitely identify the anguish oozing from the person. It is more than birth and death, it is the experience of life itself.  Maybe just the fact of existing is difficult-however, the eternal pursuit and desire to communicate and connect with another being is a strong driving  force.  People yearn for a  human connection.


    I chose the video above because it covered a range of of Bill Viola's work that was displayed at a gallery.

Erwin Redl

     Erwin Redl is a Digital and New Media artist. He was born in 1963 in Austria
where he received most of his education. Erwin's education consisted of completing his BA in Composition and a Diploma in Electronic music and later  his Masters of Fine Arts in Computer Art in 1995. The artistic medium used is LED lights.
   These pictures capture my attention - the lighting and background color can by hypnotic. As I view a video, FADE I Lille-2004,  I feel that I've been transported to a dance club as I listen to the vibe of electronic music playing along with the video art display of purple and lavender lights pulsating rhythmically.

Digital Artist - Masaki Fujihata

       Masaki Fujihata began his career as a digital artist for a Computer Graphics and Animation company in the 80's.  He successfully completed, Beyond the Pages in 1995-1997, an interactive system that generated graphic designs and gained him recognition. This interactive system design / software became a permanent collection of the ZKM, Centre for Art and Media, Karlsruhe, Germany.
     When I view this short three minute video I am reminded of products that we, the consumer, purchase. Leap Frog, for example, is an interactive learning toy that is useful in helping children learn their phonics more effectively. Another example of this interactive animation would be Tomb Raider or Sims. Today's gaming systems tantalize the viewer with vivid imagery and sleek interactive design.  The player becomes an active participant by following directions and gaining incentive tokens for accelerating through a program quickly.  The games involve the player giving him or her the illusion of actively participating in the game, as if they are really there.
     Digital Art is another form of art that is recognized for its' installation art, virtual reality, paintings, drawings and sculpture. This kind of art is exciting because the viewer is more involved - we participate and select options in the software that guide our direction to a final destination.

Continued Post about Joan Jonas

She displays more about feminism in her video,Left Side Right Side.  She used a video camera and holds a mirror showing her reflection that is delayed when she is video taping. She observes close examination of a woman, herself, who is not masked by excess makeup- a natural image in black in white.

Joan Jonas

Walden Diaries - Notes and Sketches 1964-1968
Video / personal cinema work of New York City by Joan Jonas

Joan Jonas is a performer from most of the videos that I viewed on YouTube. It was difficult for me to grasp really what her message is all about other than what is written on the  internet biography.  I am really trying here to understand her. I like her narratives and the music she chooses for her videos. I can understand the  powerful, serene, dynamic, and emotional sounds resonating in the background of her videos. The depth and the impact of the music speaks intensity of feelings and thoughts that she injects into her video performance. She speaks about space regarding what her face looks like reflected in a mirror and videotaping herself simutaneously. I guess she uses herself and body mostly in her performances and that is about feminism sometimes and o

Four Yip

Four Yip paints reality portraits digitally with photoshop.  Her paintings encapsulate a personality of an avatar. ( to the left)   I am amazed how realistic this painting appears. The artist takes screen shots of a Second Life Avatar digitally and then recreates a mixed reality portrait with the aid of PhotoShop to design her painting  The image appears to be on a canvas painted with water colors.The emphasis of her mouth slightly open, wispy bangs gliding on her forehead, and her life like eyes appear to me to be dominating - demanding the viewers attention. Her chin is also more distinguished than the digital image. The focal point looks like her face and her pale wrist and hand exposed holding a lit cigarette. She is sexy, bold, strong, and attractive.This is a portrait of  Kean Kelly, an avatar. This virtual world feels somewhat real.  Like you can hide behind any kind of masked creation you so desire to create. Four Yip is successful in creating a human identity linked to the avatar.  Beautifully done!

Media - Robert Rauschenberg

     Today I researched a bit about Robert Rauschenberg who was an American artist. His art work is defined as Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art that consisted of paintings, print, sculptures and Combines.  The latter is described as combining painting and a collage like technique; magazine clippings of  images were applied to a canvas in addition to paint. There is a lot of shapes and texture involved that create a fullness to the pieces that I find inviting.

    This particular style of art appears two dimensional creating depth on the canvas. There appears to be no orderly structure or reason of his images that are injected. I am sure they symbolize personal observations of everyday objects, yet some critics have commented perhaps there is a code hidden - maybe implying political statements .

Media

      Today I viewed the artists Eva and Franco Mattes who are part of the net art movement. I watched several of their videos to get a taste of what they are all about.  Some of there work is with avatars in a futuristic setting, like a short video, in a fantasy world.  Other creations consist of performances made to appear real to their audience in search of analyzing their reactions to what they are watching on a live cam. I believe the artists' goal is bring attention to their subjects, some positive, negative and surprising.
     In the video My Generation 2010,  the important message declares that adolescents take their gaming seriously  The boys become obsessed and angered while playing video games when their scoring or goal is plummeting. Sad yet true are my reactions to the video short.  I have certainly seen my kids freak out while playing video games. Just bringing attention to this subject matter is a strong message.
     The avatar performances and or video shorts consists of digital imagery in a fantasy world.  Characters are created in a fictitious world. It appears to be quite time consuming. Characters are tall, slim, short, and heavy. There are different characters styles:  funky, punk, rocker, biker  heterosexual and homosexual.   What is the message?   I think these video shorts are for entertainment purposes only.  It appears they are pushing video boundaries a bit with the explicit sensuality.  I did not see a rating on the video for mature audiences or adults only before viewing. I wonder how much time it takes Eva and Franco to create these avatar video shorts.

LACMA Visit

    Visiting the museum was a great experience. There was so much to look at in the short time I had. My favorite style to view was expressionism and realism.  The most unusual pieces I chose were by German Expressionists named George Bellows and Magnus Zeller. The shapes were sharp and the painting gave me the impression of emptiness in the subject by Bellows  His painting depicted vibrantly colored portraits of women with black eyes. I suppose it was quite avant garde in the early twentieth century. Magnus', The Orator appeared theatrical. The faces of the people in the entire painting had the same hard angled lines with varying expressions; it was like they were wearing masks.
   Another painting I viewed was Frida Kahlo who was married to the artist Diego Rivera. He painted her portrait. I have a book of her work at home and it is like a pictorial autobiography. There are many paintings depicting her painful physical ailments due to a car accident in such great detail.  Also, I chose American artist, George Bellows. The oil painting of Emma is his wife. Beautiful detail and color attracted me to this picture.
   


  
  

LACMA Pictures

Frida Kahlo by Diego Rivera

The Orator, 1920 by Magnus Zeller, Germany

Emma in the Purple Dress, 1919 /1920 by George Bellows

The Young Mechanic, 1848

Portrait of a Girl, 1919-1920 by Max Pechsteinm, 

Germany

Identity Collage

   My life has been shaped by the people in this collage most.. A picture of my parents is on top of the page in the middle.  My ethnic background is mostly German, Scott-Irish and a bit of French, too. I feel my humor and attention to detail was most  influenced in my family of origin. To the left of this picture is my mother and her three siblings.  While growing up they were so much a part of my life. My family celebrated many holidays together and I always enjoyed visiting the cousins anytime for fun in the pool or a game of hide and seek. Below this picture is my sister, Terri and her husband Michael. I am one of five children; however, Terri is the one who I stuck with most. She influenced  me by her nurturing style and her friendship. The picture in the middle is my husband, John, my daughter, Veronica and myself years ago. The picture to the right of that is us plus two. When I married my husband who is Mexican, I fully embraced the cultural diversity I was marrying into. Also, I have become more informed about cultural differences, and I can accept what is different more readily. I am open to diversity so much more than my family members.  I have been positively affected by the family gatherings, music and food shared. I enjoy traditional folklore music; moreover, the danceable music such as Cumbia, Bachita, Reggaeton,and Salsa is more inspiring to me to dance to.The Mexican food dishes are a part our familys' life. We don't eat a lot of traditional dishes,yet  I make homemade beans and spanish rice regalury and chiles and tortillas are a staple item in my kitchen.   On the bottom left side of my collage I have a picture of my nieces and my husband and I at our engagement party.  I thought I would insert this picture because it symbolized the beginning of cultural diversity in my life. Last, on the bottom right I have a picture of my children presently. They are my everything. They are unique individuals who understand diversity and acceptance. 

Collage Picture

Guillermo Gomez-Pena

I am making another post on my artist because I can not figure out how to add to my existing draft. Arrggghh

   Guillermo is quite unusual.  He is a a poetic performer who makes a bold statement about his heritage - roots of Mexico that are emblazoned within.  He speaks with a thick accent and really grasps the audiences attention by his presence. His soft yet striking eyes and his masculine thick mustache demand one's attention. He is multi-talented and has had many successes. First, he received many awards for his stage performances globally. Secondly, he has written five books and he also has an experimental radio works web page. Please view:   Radio Page
   He is identified as a pop(popular) culture,ethno-techno and cyber-punk performer. I  understand how he is categorized as a pop culture artist. I guess the other descriptive categories persuade a viewer that he is a politically propelled activist, too. Which he is. Not all of his work entails political preferences.  Guillermo infuses English and Spanish, fact and fiction ,social realities and pop culture into his vast artistic avenues. He is definitely interesting to follow!  
   Additionally, Guillermo founded the organization, La Pocha Nostra. This is a company of performers that he founded  in 1993 in Los Angeles and then moved in 1995 to San Francisco where he has lived since.  The company that consists of other artistic actors create their Chicano cyber-punk performances and ethno-techno art on stage. Gomez-Pena reaches across borders nationally to connect to people. He acknowledges race and gender in his collaborations.  I viewed several of his performances on YouTube and I must say  it is profound artistic expression. 

   The books he has written are the following:  Dangerous Border Crossers, Codex Spanlensis, Mexican Beasts, Living Santos,The New World Border and Warrior for Gringotrolka.  Included in these books are his chronicles, essays and scripts of his large scale projects.  

   This artist says quite a bit about identity. I was reminded not to be so closed minded after researching my artist. At first glance, I was subjected to this person's interpretations / point of views and said to myself...what is this stuff?   But after reading more and watching some videos I now say it is interesting, educating,visually complex, weird, unusual, and sometimes shocking.  

Identity Project: Guillermo Gomez-Pena

 I really don't know how to react to this.  Guillermo performs on stage to audiences alone and with his La Pocha Noche company.  He was born in Mexico City in 1955 and he came to the U.S. in 1978. His work includes journalism, art, poetry, performance and politics. He has been exploring intercultural issues for more than twenty years and has received numerous fellowships and prizes.  He tranforms a stage that connects himself  to his ethnic identity.
   Guillermo's work has been presented at over seven hundred venues across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Austrialia, Europe,Columbia, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Brazil, Argentina and the Soviet Union.

Guillermo Gomez-Pena Clip from you tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsyqZ_xBxQk&feature=relatedThe Exploratorium

Identity, Romanticism and Realism

   Today's lecture was helpful in clarifying identity in art. I am able to understand what I believe I am to look for in pictures now. I put it together with Angry Little Asian girl and how her characters' identity is exploding with rage and sarcasm about being misunderstood,classified as an immigrant or just being different. 
   Also, Romanticism is fantasy -  to be carried away - from our reality  What is reality? Maybe what we know and some imaginative interpretation in our mind to escape the mundane.
   Realism in art depicts familiar objects as they actually are.We recognize and validate those objects and subjects as real and tangible; however, too much reality could be dull and life can benefit by the beauty of Romanticism.
   What is beauty? Beauty is it not interpreted differently by each person? Blossoming flowers, breathtaking landscapes, seascapes,imperfections and or uniqueness.