Week 5, Project 5c

1. MoLAA stands for Museum of Latin American Art founded by Dr. Robert Gumbiner in 1996 and is based in Long Beach, CA. Its purpose is to educate the public about contemporary Latin American fine art by the artists who lived and worked in Latin America since World War II. The knowledge that I gained from our coursework this semester like the history of the Spanish conquest, Aztecs and the Toltec domination of Central Mexico, can be applied to the artwork at MoLAA. It gives me a kind of map to better connect and understand what the artist is trying to convey.

2. I chose an artist I found in section 2b. The artist is Laura Hernandez. She is a 47 -year- old Mexican artist from Oaxaca. The piece is Omnia; Watercolor on paper, 47"X 394"- Detail 1#& #2, 1994. A Trip into the Realm of Myth and Dreams.

Observation:

It is a hugh piece of artwork that shows the energy and vibrant nature of this artist. The piece named Omnia "covers everything in the universe based on ancient Mayan concepts: the creation of the world , the demons of the dark, and then celestral beings from the heavens.(1)

Interpretation:

The two pieces show elements from pre-Columbian ceremonial icons combined with indigenous folk art. Nature's forces are the artworks primary message highlighting depictions of life and death using symbols of skulls, human figures, animal figures, eyes and moons. (2)

Judgment:

This artist impressed me with her intense energy and how she displayed her art in such large volume and size. It filled a 10,000 foot portion of the museum. I really felt her imagination reaching out to the public.

Questioning:

What is it that drives Hernandez to create such impactful pieces that blows away her audience?

I believe she expresses the hardships and voyages of people's lives in her native land, but is there something else she has experienced to give her this drive to produce such powerful and monster art?

(1)http://artscenecal.com/ArticlesFile/Archive/Articles1998/Articles1198/LHernandezA.html

(2)http://www.laurahernandez.com/reviews/william_wilson_98.html

week 5, project 5b

Observation:

The 1000 peso note is entrusted with the image of the "father of the country", Miguel Hidalgo y Castilla. The opposite side portrays the University of Guanajuarto. The Mexican peso is a bank note; originally the Mexican currency was minted using pure silver. The "paper" peso wasn't used until the 19th century, after independence was achieved. From 1936 to 1942, the pesos adopted a new size (157 x 67 mm). The 1000 peso bill consists of a bell, Hidalgo's image, and the words "Banco de Mexico" at the top. Gray, blue, green, and red fil the peso with a colorful atmosphere. (1)

Interpretation:

This "artwork" honors Hidalgo's contribution to Mexico's independence by gracing the peso with his image. For example, Hidalgo organized rebellions and rallies to gain independence for his people. The bell on the front left represents when Hidalgo rang them as a warning to the villagers.

When learning about Hidalgo in project 5A, I found out that he had been chosen to represent the 1000 peso note. I feel that it was respectable to gain the highest denomination among the official bills of Mexico. Hidalgo earned this right of honor through his determination to raise awareness of Mexico's independence.

I would further like to learn who presented the proposition of having Hidalgo's image on the peso note. I also question what this peso can buy, or how much it can purchase in Mexico. The 1000 peso note is not often seen, and is hard to get change for because it is so rare.

(1)http://www.puertovallarta.net/images/city_info/1000peso.jpg

Week 5, Project 5a

The independence of Latin American was when Latin America fought with rebellions agaisnt Spain and Portugal for independence. Miguel Hidalgo led the highly successful mission to gain independence for Mexico. In northern South America, Simon Bolivar helped many revolutions. The first rebellion agaisnt the Spainards took place in 1809 for eventual victories in Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. In the southern cone of the continent, the struggle for independence was led by General Jose de San Martin (who fought for independence in Argentina, Chili, and Peru). Though Latin America remained independent from Portugal and Spain, they remained dependent economically in Europe by shipping exports (sugar, beef, coffee...) Simon Boiviar made an enormous effort to try to create a Pan American government in Gran Columbia, but it failed due to geographic barriers, along with many different military rulers and not enough civillian rulers. Latin America is currently independent, but not all countries in Latin America are culturally connected.

I chose to write my topic on Miguel Gregorio Antonio Ignacio Hidalgo y Costilla (full name); otherwise known as Miguel Hidalgo. When I was researching Latin American independence his name came up in important text an awful lot, so naturally I wanted to learn more about what, when, where, and how he led Latin America to independence. Hidalgo was first known as a mexican roman catholic priest, hence the nickname: Father of the Country. Although he was trained as a priest, he was also interested in political and social questions. He then became interested in spanish oppression and started conspiring with educated criollos, for a large uprising of mestizos and indigenous Amerindian peasants.

Another feat of independence was Hidalgo's Grito de Dolores ("Cry of Dolores") which took place on September 15, 1810. This speech was made in the city of Dolores where Hidalgo rang his church bells as a warning to the villagers. Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez reportedly told Hidalgo that the Spainards knew of his plan to rebel. Hidalgo then demanded independence of his people in the "Cry of Dolores". He also told all his people to expel all foreign invaders/rulers out of Mexico so the natives could take control of their own country.

The legacy of Hidalgo still lives on in Mexico. There is a state named after Hidalgo and the city of Dolores Hidalgo for this man's honor. The 1000 peso note is imprinted with Hidalgo's image as wel. On September 15 late at night every year, the Mexican president ring the bells of the National Palace in Mexico City to re-enact the event. September 16 is celebrated as Mexico's Independence Day, long live Hidalgo!

sites: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miguel_Hidalgo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_American_revolutions
These sources are credible because I checked other various sites that contained the same information.

Week 4, project 4c

1. Culture refers to important activities, values and beliefs that are passed down from generation to generation. Mexico city and Cuba were wiped out not only by conquistadors, but also from small pox. Under Spanish rule native culture was forbidden. Leaders were killed, so there was no power structure. Conquistadors killed off the Aztecs and therefore, the culture was changed and reshaped.

2.Student examination #1
I agree with Tara. The Conquistadors stole everything the Natives worked so hard for. Both cultures could have benefited from Freire's teachings and theories. Conquistadors could have applied Freire's theories of value, knowledge and education. This may have saved the Native's lives and their culture.

Student Examination #2
Rebekah stated, The Spaniards were not able to read what was recorded, so they re did it themselves. Under Freire's strategy of conscientization from his project of liberating education expressed in his major work, Pedagogy of the Oppressed, education should be liberating and organized as an ongoing process between co-learners. (1) If the the Spaniards and native Indians would have utilized Freire's strategies, cultures would not have been lost and destroyed, and the peoples would not be struggling to this day to find their identities.

(1) http://www.religion-online.org/showchapter.asp?title=1935&C=1719

Week 4, Project 4b

A Mythical Latin American Portrait Gallery: Rosario Marquardt 1 2 3 4 5
La Malinche, 1992 Oil pastel on paper, 17" x "23" Collection of the artist
Daughter of Aztec lords, she was first given away in order to facilitate her stepbrother's accession to the lordship, and then given away once again when she was fifteen years old, as a present to the Spainards. She mastered the Mayan and Aztec languages, and in only a few months she learned to speak perfect Castillian. She became the figure in whom all communication between the opposed cultures was concentrated. LaMalinche was a crucial fiture in the conquest of New Spain. Historian Stephen Greenblatt interprets her role, writing that "Cortes understood next to nothing about the comples culture which he had violently penetrated, and everything he could hope to learn, beyond the enigmatic and opaque visual evidence, had to be conveyed through Dona Marina (La Malinche)."
Not only did she play a critical historical role, but author Octavio Paz explains that she persists in the collective Mexican memory: "... the strange permanence of Cortes and La Malinche in the Mexican's imagination and sensibility reveals that they are more than historical higures: they are symbols of a sectret conflict that we have still not resolved." appendx inc.©1997


I am choosing La Malinche who played a hugh role in the conquest of New Spain and who is seen in different ways by the Mexician peoples. It is a 1992 painting of the indigenous woman.

http://projects.gsd.harvard.edu/appendx/dev/issue2/marquardt/index5.htm

Observation:
The painting is an oil pastel on paper created in 1992 by Rosario Marquardt. The artist is showing La Malinche in two different views as in cubism. The artist uses bold colors of red black and white to convey her meanings.

Interpretation:
Marquardt is displaying the opposing opinions of the Mexician people about her role in the Spanish conquest of Mexico. I chose the subject of La Malinche and this piece because it really shows the significance she played in the Spanish conquest.

The two views of her face show her role as the founding figure of the Mexican race and the opposite side as the traitor to her race. The two views with white smoke leaving her mouth show her multible roles as interpreter, advisor and intermediary for Cortes. The lizard that she cradles in her arms represents both the fate of her Mexican people; i.e. the power she has in her role with cortes and the safe guarding of her people's heritage.

Questioning:

When did this subject live in history?

La Malinche is seen as the symbolic "mother of the Mexican people. What other aspects is she seen in by the Mexican people?

Week 4, Project 4a

The conquest/colonial era refers to when the Spanish conquistadors invaded the native Latino population. This period existed roughly from 1492 to 1810. The native population was wiped out from the bloody conquest when the Spanish arrived. The population in Mexico's central valley was about 19 million before the Spanish conquerers arrived. In 1550, it dropped to only 2 million! Smallpox was the main cause of death however. The natives did not have any defenses to smallpox. Under the spanish rule, native religion, as well as culutre was repressed supremely. The "conquistadors", or spanish conquerers were given "encomiendas", which (in reality) granted slavery rights. Basically, the colonists exploited Native Latino history and culture throughout time.

I chose the topic of La Malinche because I was interested after, I saw the youtube.com video about her. Naturally, I wondered who she was, since I couldn't understand the Spanish interpreters. She first appeared in April, 1519, when Malinche was introduced to the Spanish among other slaves to the dominant Spaniards. Cortes supposedly found her too attractive for others to take care of. She became the sole interpreter for Cortes. Malinche led natives into traps when they planned to destory the Spanish army, and she alerted Cortes of the danger as well.

Her role in the conquest of Mexico is seen through quotes of other conquistadors: "Without the help of Dona Marina (La Malinche) we wouldn't have understood the language of New Spain and Mexico." writes an old soldier Bernal Diaz del Castillo. Many other records report that Marina, after God, was the main reason for Cortes' success.

Malinche's figure in present day Mexico has developed into a mythical archetype that Latin artists represent in different pieces of artwork. Her image represents the social, cultural, and historical dimensions of Latin American culture. Some Mexican people visualize her as a founding figure of the Mexican race, other see her as a traitior (hence the nickname, La Chingada)

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malinche
http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/coloniallatinamerica/p/colonialera.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQU4CXqrbDs&feature=related

These sources are credible because they represent (more or less) the same information that other websites held. The websites that I got this information off of were professional as well.

Week 3 Project 3c

Comments to Matthew's the first paragraph:
The 300 sugarcane workers provided Paulo Freire the opportunity to offer his theories to a class of people that stood to gain new found power from literacy. Learning to read and write, the workers could have a voice in determining their country's direction by participating in the voting process and communicating their ideas for change!

Comments to Matthew's the 2nd paragraph:
While Freire was exiled, he soon realized that Brazil was not the only country struggling with illiteracy. He applied his theories to other countries with success with worldwide recognition.

Comments to Champagne's first paragraph:
As Paulo Freire stressed, understanding the world around you was critical before one could begin to read the world! Just as infants first learn to crawl and than to stand and walk!

Comments to Champagne's 3rd paragraph:
Freire had a special need to help the very poorest struggling class. As the silent cultures, he provided them literacy; a voice and a chance to be heard!

Paulo Freire's ideas apply to this course in that as we gain an understanding of the way people's different cultures communicate, can help in understanding the best methods to educate and basically learn how to learn!