Activitism and Art Writing

Activitism and Art Writing: 

I would like to make for my final intervention is to create t-shirts that discussing about the major issues with the immigration policy. I want to catch the audience attention about this issue and hoping people may join. Since I live in a city where there is high rate Hispanic population it can motivate my people to speak against this issue. This idea was inspired by Ruben Ortiz Torres who designed baseball hats that reflected different cultural backgrounds. He use these designs to proof immigrant people and diverse people in the United States. He show there are diversity in the world of sports such as baseball. Images on the caps may show people to look society different way. Caps should be expressed with culture and diversity from baseballs players or in general any sport. The cap has a discusses a huge message based on culture fashion and divided culture.

Another good idea that Ruben Ortiz Torres made was the lawnmower to resemble the Mexican immigrants working labor in California. Immigrants are usually the one who worked on labor work such as mowing lawns or any work that deals with labor in United States. This is one of the issues in immigrants deal with not able to have privilege to work in a job without proving their citizenship. This one of the issues immigrants face in America. I want to discuss this issue on my final intervention about immigrants seeking better opportunities in jobs or careers.

Another activist that I was inspired by was Michelle Angela Ortiz who worked with Mural Arts to bring “Families Separadas” project into a reality. There is a website link video that explains her creativity and messages that impacted the lives of immigrant people. Also, for my final intervention I was hoping to create a huge art piece that gives a message towards immigration families separated in detention centers. Michelle Angela Ortiz reflected this issue by putting her art work  next to city hall. Also, she painted in bold letters on the roads next to the ice detention center stating that, “ We are humans beings, risking our lives, for our families & our future.” This help  everyone to see the issue that is reflected on immigrants towards deportation. Michelle artwork did was a political activism outside of the art world she was able to unite people together no matter the age to speak against the issue.

"Eres mi Todo" by Michelle Angela Ortiz

"WE ARE HUMANS BEINGS, RISKING OUR LIVES, FOR OUR FAMILIES & OUR FUTURE." by Michelle Angela Ortiz

    Another idea that I decide to create is painting to send a message to my audience towards immigrants here in the United States. An co founder of The Seed House named Armando Minjarez decide to make a painting moral with high school students. This painting mural is at 21st and Park Place. The high schoolers gave an idea to discuss about immigration. I believe making a painting can prove a point towards immigrant young teens and adults who seek the American Dream. Immigrants should be treated with the given equal rights and priviledge. Letting our audience know that immigrant should not be stand for their country ,but as human beings who desires to find a better life in America.

"Immigration is Beautiful" by Armando Minjarez

"Immigration is Beautiful" by Armando Minjarez

This Is What I Know About Art Short Essay

This is What I Know About Art 

    Kimberly Drew, an art curator and writer produced the book "What I think Know aboutArt". This book discusses Drew's love for art and expresses how it has been a contribution in her life from a very young age. Art can be done and seen within a variety of things, which includes using ones creative imagination to express beauty, power, or simply feelings.  For Drew, art became a gateway for her to be expressive in many aspects. Lucky for Drew, she was raise by a family who valued creativity and is very adamant about pursuing what one is passionate about. Drew is known for amplifying the works of black creators because she understands how belittled and undermined an African American can be in the art industry and in general. Seeing this is simply frustrating, so it is very admirable how caring she is about African Americans getting the proper recognition in the Art community. An interview with ArtNet News, drew discusses why she decided to write her book. She mentions she wrote the book to ignite a fire for those who might be interested in art and might need a little assistance in guiding them to a space where they can be creative and show their love for art. I believe Drew's blog and book are perfect examples we should actively support the ones who are not seen in the art industry and beyond. There are so many creative geniuses that go unseen and it is misfortunate that happens, considering the fact that we need more creative people in this world. Drew is all for supporting, which is why she avidly posts new creations and new artist so they are not unseen. 

Kimberly Drew and her book

Guerilla Girls

 "Less than 5% of the artists in the modern art sections are women, but 85% of the nudes are female."

    I chose this poster because the percentages of women artist that are exhibited compared to the naked female bodies in the art works are very striking because it is as women need to be objectified to even earn a spot in the the museum, which is misfortunate because there are many talented artist who shouldn't have to be nude to show case their talents.

"The advantages of being a woman artist artist:..."

I chose this second poster because clever and sarcastic some statements are.

Intervention 3 Performance/Protest

 Environmental Racism

    For this intervention, I chose to discuss environmental racism. Environment racism refers to the way in which minority groups and neighborhoods are burdened with hazards that lower the quality of life. There are unhealthy circumstances they have no choice to comply with like an unhealthy workplace where poor workers are forced to work because it is their only way of making a living at the moment.  Environmental racism exists because those with sufficient resources and public notoriety refuse to aid in their communities, ensuring that there is a healthy environment. Environmental racism became a concept developed in the 1970s and 1970s in the Unites States.

    A problem like Environmental racism should persist ever so here are some ways to help environmental racism according to Yale.edu. Practice self education when it comes to the pandemic and do some research on the local and federal policies that are designed to perpetuate these differences. Next, elevate the voices of impacted communities and support however you can. Try to donate and support as much as you can and put your best foot forward. Furthermore, hold representatives accountable for their environmental votes. Every vote counts and can be very impactful on one's community. Lastly, investigate the environmental practices of corporations we widely shop at, eat at, and learn at. Just an understanding of this impactful form of racism can aid severely in improving for the future. 

    To raise awareness on this topic, I decided to create a poster with my twitter handle so that people can discuss the topic on my page and it'll be an active forum. All ideas and opinions are welcome which is great for sparking many conversations.

Activism and Art Writing Assignment (Ian)

     My final intervention will be about something close to me: my Filipino heritage. Pulling from a page from the multiple projects that have inspired me, I would like to create something that showcases Filipino artists. Filipino art is heavily influenced by Spanish and American culture. Although there is an abundance of Filipino art is displayed in Philippine museums, Filipino art is still not widely known. I have decided to showcase Filipino art through a social media platform as I would like to celebrate great Filipino art.

    I decided to create this project because of the recent attacks happening on Asian-Americans. I, as a Filipino, have been terribly worried about my friends and family that are Asian. The Asian-American attacks are the result of the increase in racism towards the Asian community. I decided to make an intervention that was a way of saying, "I am proud to be who I am" in retaliation to the negative comments toward Asians. 

    I have come across projects that are similar to what I want to create, such as Filipino Art and Artists of the Philippines on Twitter. They use the social media platform in order to spread and promote various modern Filipino artists and their work. I would also like to use the social media platform to help us Filipinos remember our history, and celebrate the great Filipino artworks that exist. Twitter has a high user base and is a suitable platform that would allow me to spread my message; John Berger writes, "A person may notice a particular image or piece of information because it corresponds to some particular interest that he has." thus I would like to create a Twitter page that exists and is there to be admired and looked at, whether it stirs inspiration or not. I plan to post the more notable artworks of Filipino artists and artworks that strike interest in me. I have decided to use the same social media platform of Art PHand Artists of the Philippines as it would help me gain publicity and be easily shared. 

Black Contemporary Art

Kimberly Drew's Black Contemporary Tumblr blog is a major source of inspiration for me. Kimberly Drew wanted to see more Black Artists in the world and decided to be the one that would place them there. She created a space where was able to curate and select various pieces of artwork made by black artists. She writes in her book, "I did not want Black art to be a negligible factor. I did not want Black art to disappear." (p. 21). In a similar way, I would like to create something that features Filipino artists as a way to celebrate Asian self-identity.

Guerrilla Girls collection of protests

Guerrilla Girls are a group that has uses signs to protest the toxic culture of sexism that is hidden in the art world. The Guerrilla Girls are noted as the "conscience of the art world" and have achieved that status with their use of art. The Guerrilla Girls political art has caused a stir in the art world, they have inspired me in such a way that I would like my project to hopefully create change in the world. Similarly, I find that memes, in a way are akin to the Guerrilla Girls work; Lizzie Fison writes, "More than just humorous interventions, these memes undermine the pretensions of power and respect politicians use as a de-facto method for quieting dissent and broadcasting their often contemptuous messages.". The Guerrilla Girls' protests art is an inspiring collection that spreads awareness and makes us look at the world and are memes before memes were even born. 

God Bless Graffiti Coalition

The God Bless Graffiti Coalition is an activism work that combated the anti-graffiti trend that emanated in the 2000s. The God Bless Graffiti Coalition used brochures as a means of spreading awareness and educating people. The God Bless Graffiti Coalition has also curated a number of artworks from various artists around the world. In a similar way, I am creating a project that combats the Asian-American attacks by celebrating Filipino art; however, I am using Twitter as my brochure and Filipino art as my graffiti. 

Artists of The Philippines: https://twitter.com/artistsoftheph

Filipino Art: https://twitter.com/filipinoartph

Black Contemporary Art: https://blackcontemporaryart.tumblr.com/

Guerrilla Girls: https://www.guerrillagirls.com/

Berger, J. Ways of Seeing. Chapter 7. 

Drew, K. What I Know About Art. Penguin Random House. ISBN: 9978-0-593-09518-8

Fison, L. How Memes Are Making Protest Art More Powerful. Retrieved from: https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-memes-making-protest-art-powerful

   

Intervention Poster / Intervention 2 (Ian)

 

    "Stop Asian American Hate" four words that reflect the reality of the world we live in. The COVID-19 (or Coronovirus) pandemic has caused a stir in the political, economic, and social facets of the United States with the increase in Asian attacks being one of many examples. Asian American-owned businesses have suffered considerably more than other local businesses due to the prejudice surrounding them, with thoughts such as, "I will get coronavirus if I eat here" or "That Asian guy has covid, so I'll stay away". Such thoughts have caused a significant threat to the safety of Asian Americans, most notably, towards Asian American elders. Asian American elders or old people in general, should not be victims of assault as it is morally unjust and inhumane. Racism towards Asian people has always existed in America, although not as prevalent as racism towards Black Americans, racism is still racism; even if America is still trying to unshackle itself from its frequent habit it still has a long way to go in achieving a more peaceful America.  

 The poster is simple and can be done by anyone. I wanted the poster to be easily reproducible because activism is a community effort. Activism is about awareness and I want people to be engaged and be able to make a poster like this for themselves. Kimberly Drew mentions in her book, This Is What I Know About Art, that "Activism is a collective action and an investment in the lives of other people." (p.61). As such I wanted my intervention to be something that even a 6-year-old can make. It is important for the people to be able to be a part of the movement as it will greatly increase awareness of the topic being advocated. 

Signs and protests have a long relationship with each other and are as compatible and complementary as salt and pepper. Signs and protests have been a pivotal part of activism events throughout history such as the Civil Rights Movement, the Black Power Movement, the Disability Rights Movement, the Women's Rights Movement, LGBTQ Movements, and much more. Signs and protests will continue to be used in accordance with each other at future activism events. With the advance of technology, signs and protests have evolved and continue to live on the internet through memes. Benjamin Burroughs mentions, “The ability for the meme to empower and push back can be really powerful. They’re definitely sites of resistance against perceptions of abuse of power. They spread so quickly and evolve and transform, and it’s hard to shut them down in the way other forms of communicative protest can be silenced.”. Memes can be considered digital signs, in which they are images and pieces of information that convey a message to viewers. Coupled with powerful topics, memes are forms of protests in the digital age. 

https://www.vice.com/en/article/mbzxa3/memes-are-our-generations-protest-art

Kimberly Drew, What I know About Art

Intervention Poster

     

Let's Get Vaccinated

    Many questions arise concerning cover and its latest vaccine. "Is the vaccination safe?", "What steps were taken to make sure the vaccine is safe?", and "how effective are these vaccines?" are common questions ask everyday. The curiosity is completely normal considering the fact that Covid-19 was a completely unexpected virus that became a pandemic and has taken million of lives. When the vaccine came around, there were mixed reactions of course, but most failed to see how potentially great this vaccination can be. 

    I created this poster to raise attention to the vaccine as well as raise awareness to the many benefits of getting the vaccination. Covid-19 can have life threatening complications and it is unknown to many how it'll affect one. I know we all miss being able to speak to each other without social distancing, being able to celebrate birthday with large gatherings, shop regularly, and even attend school mask-less. It could all be achievable with a simple vaccine. As mentioned before, it is very understandable that there are concerns about the vaccine and quickly they were developed. It is all for our best interest at health. My poster will encourage the many that walk through the walk ways of my hallways and doorsteps and beyond. Every year, thousand of adults become hospitalized over deseases that vaccines can help prevent. By getting vaccinated, one can help prevent themselves from unnecessary agony and suffering.