El Museo del Barrio (extra credit)

1. What do you think about Raphael Montañez Ortiz's mission to represent the Puerto-Rican-American and East Harlem community in a museum space? How is this presentation of art different that the story of modern art presented at MOMA (museum of modern art)? 
I think he has a strong voice of opinion and he is right, when a museum dispkays cultural thinks you want authentic things from the cultural, he fails some meet that requirement which is why he wants to change that. I think the difference is that it has more flavor more umpth than the MOMA. The MOMA is honestly work that people may have to look at for hours in order to understand it, in these works you see it and you feel it, a lot goes through your head and you want to know more. 

2. Pick one artwork in the museum, describing it physically and how it was made. How do the materials and the process communicate something about the community, culture, or neighborhood of East Harlem? I believe the mask represents identity, yet because they all look similar but have different patterns etc it is special in it's own way just how the neighborhood of East Harlem is. I have lived in this neighborhood for 20 years now and I believe we are all the same but yet different in our own way. All hard working trying to make a living, have our unique culture, music, food, language but yet come together as one to help each other out. 

3. Pick one object or group of objects that was provided by the community (non-artists). Describe if physically. Why you think the individual chose these objects, and what it represents about about their culture or neighborhood history
I think this represents the love of the neighborhood, how organized and in place everything is. In a #D perspective you see what the person was trying to display. 

4. What do you think about this idea of asking the community to contribute objects that are important to them for the museum? Do you think that museum curation should be left to people with the training, should be totally crowd-sourced, or a combination of both? 
I think its a fascinating idea, logically speaking if people didn't feel comfortable doing that I don't think they will in the first place but the museum asking for originality outside of experts i think its a dream come true for most ! 

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I went to the Museum of New York with my little sister after El museo del Barrio (which is down the block!) because she was so fascinated she wanted to go to another Museum, here are some pictures I found interesting. History, gay pride march and the population of NYC which is growing immensely!! 

Class#10- follow up

MY MANIFESTO

1. No crime will be tolerated under any circumstances2. If out of food: must do your own hunting
-No kids under 12 can hunt
3. Kids 12 and over are allow to have a gun and/or weapon 
-Must be trained by parent or adult
4. Not allowed outside of the walls after sundown
5. Sleep with weapon near head rest
6. If group sleeping one must be up and taking turns night/morning etc 
7. Look out for eachother
8. Speak up if member in group seems to be loosing it 

Please keep in mind these rules are so we can survive together, the more we stand together as one the stronger we are. 

HW #9

Write a short paragraph response describing which of the lecture artist's interpretation of escaping, advancing, or repairing society you most agree with, and why?

I think all these pieces are truly amazing. The artist that came up with these ideas have drive to their work, they want to better the environment, but I think more importantly they want their work to mean something and probably even get remembered. All these works are an example of escaping, advancing and repairing society, but the most I would agree with is "paraSITE" by Rakowitz. Not only was this being used in a positive way but it was a sense of repairing society, being able to actually lend out a helping hand to the poor, is repairing society. Not only was he helping society but he was helping others see that the poor need help to. They have the right to be recognized as well. 

HW #7

Elijah Boardman, 1789

Ralph Earl (American, 1751–1801)

Oil on canvas

Otani Oniji II, dated 1794

Toshusai Sharaku (Japanese, active 1794–95)

Polychrome woodcut print on paper

1. Describe eachwork in brief.

the first work Earl portrayed the richly dressed dry-goods merchant Elijah Boardman (1760–1823) in his store in New Milford, Connecticut.

The second work the actor Otani Oniji II is captured here in the role of Yakko Edobe. A yakko is a manservant -used by samurai to perform violent deeds. Otani Oniji's leering face, shown in three-quarter view, bristling hair, and groping outstretched hands capture the ruthless nature of him.

2. Give your best guess as to the audience of each work.

The first work shows a man very well dressed. This man looked important as if he was going somewhere important or his jump consisted of dressing well. He is very poised.

The second drawing shows a man in traditional cloths, I believe his arms are out. He's angry, bothered, and a bit annoyed. I don't think those kinds of people were particularly nice

3. Describe what ideas each work it attempting to bear witness to.

The first work is attempting to bear witness to how the rich is seen during those times. The second is attempting to bear witness to how aggressive and mean the "yakko" can be.

4. Describe the differences between the respective works' representations of beauty.

The representation of beauty in the first work will have to be the neatness and cleanness of the furniture and the cloths. In the second painting the representation of beauty would be the details in the hair and facial features.

5. Do you think either of the artists knew about the others' art-making tradition? Why?

I do believe the artists knew about each other's art-making because although it was different countries, somehow, someway all artist knew of each others works. They would certainty not take each others work but will learn from it.

6. Do you think the mainstream (European) work deserves its place in the mainstream story of art? Why?

yes because everything is art, weather people understand it or not, art is art. It can be taught, understood or misunderstood, but every piece of art work should be heard.

7. Do you think the non-mainstream (non-European) work deserves a place in the mainstream story? Why?

I think it does, especially if it's different or makes a difference in a positive way.

Cooking Up a Story

HEALTHY EATINGS, HAPPY LIFE! 

My yummy traditional Breast Chicken Dish, Post training Meal! 

Ingredients 

1. One tray of boneless skinless Chicken breasts 

2. Two sweet potatoes (Yams)

3. One small, almost ready Avocado

3. 1/4 teaspoon White onion (optional)

4. 2 tablespoon of freshly sliced Cilantro

5. 1/2 teaspoon of Mimi Dash

6. 1/2 teaspoon of Garlic Powder

7. 1 tablespoon of Ground pepper  

8. 1/4 teaspoon of Oregano

9. 1/4 teaspoon of Sea Salt 

10. Trader Joe's Coconut Cooking Oil Spray

11. One Lemon 

12. Aluminum Foil 

13. cookie oven tray 

Directions for Chicken Breast

1. Run water through Chicken breast and then apply squeezed Lemon over each side. 

2. Let Lemon sit for about 3 minutes

3. Rinse out Chicken through water

4. apply just a small spray on each side of chicken breast 

5. carefully apply all the condiments in measurements as shown in the Ingredient list on each side of chicken breast

6.  When finished applying condiments add the 2 table spoon of freshly sliced Cilantro to chicken breast

7. Pre heat a grill of grill pan over high heat for about 3 minutes

8. Spray Pan completely but quickly with just one spray 

9. Grill chicken breasts for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until thoroughly cooked, meat will get a light brownish coat.

10. Remove from grill and place next to sweet potatoes and avocado!  

Directions for Sweet Potatoes (Yams)

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees

2. place aluminum foil over cookie tray

3. Scrub sweet potato under running water, dry well with paper towel, this prevents it from steaming rather than properly baking

4. Poke all over with fork

5. wrap sweet potatoes in Aluminum foil 

6. Place wrapped sweet potatoes on cookie sheet, and put in oven for 30 minutes

7. After the 30 mins, open up aluminum cool, and let it bake for another  10 minutes if they are smaller (shorter than your palm) if not then another 20 

8. Remove and scrape off any blackened crusts from the leaking juices

9. Let them cool a bit then cut into portions or in half

Finished Masterpiece...

Story behind this Dish:

I am a personal trainer for about a year now and meal prepping is what I do just so I wont get tempted to eat what I am not suppose to. People think that eating healthy just consists of salads and nasty boring food but it certainly does not! Making this with other sides is something I look forward to and it tastes so good. The preparation does not take hours to do you just have to be patient on how you order everything and make sure you have all the ingredients. The preparation translates and symbolizes dedication, focus, and  determine equaling to someone sitting at my table. Preparing and eating this meal- the people who will be sitting at my table will be fitness enthusiasts, trainers, or someone just trying to change their life into a healthier lifestyle!

HW# 6

1. How does Yves Klein’s blue cocktail relate to the metaphoric nature of food to transmit ideas?

Yves blue cocktail relates to the metaphoric part of food because as explained in the earlier slides, although food is something that contains of ingredients that can not be so appealing to the eye you are taking it all into your body. Yves took it all in, changed "cell by cell" as stated in the slides and because of this he peed blue for days, showing the metaphoric nature of food.

2. What does Andy Warhol's Campell's Soup piece say about post-WWII America's relationship to food?

I believe Andy Warhol's piece say that post- WWII America's relationship to food became disconnected from the pleasure of cooking. Found a fast way of eating, this peice shows a variety of different flavor Campell Soup. Although it is soup, people still have many options to choose from.

3. What do you think about the Bread & Puppet theater idea that baking your own bread is a political act?

I strongly agree with the Bread & puppet theater idea, baking and making your own foods is something that should be enforced. It can help and prevent many things in the world today. If your disconnected from food then you are not entirely free, food makes you work harder and be a little bit more curious and interested in what you are actually taking in.

4. Compare Judy Chicago's "Dinner Party" to Leonardo da Vinci's "Last Supper".

Dinner Party and the Last supper are in a way similar, not only the point of a supper table and having people sit together. I believe the most important similarity between the two works is having communication of who is there and why. Having everyone all in one place there is a reason for that, the last super had Christ and his 12 disciples the most important people in his circle and in The Dinner Party, important women were to be seated at the lengthy table.

5. Describe how  Rirkrit Tiravanija's, Theaster Gates', or Michael Rackowitz's projects take advantage of the social aspect of meal-sharing to generate ideas and discussions. 

The importance of meal sharing really is shown in Rikrit, Theaster's and Michael's work being that they all have the same task and goal at mind. The goal they are trying to persuade and get to the viewers is that they all in the end of all the confrontation, and problems they all have something in common and thats food. The value of eating together, getting the food together it plays a role. For examplem the way Michael takes advantage of the social aspect of meal sharing to generate ideas and discussioins is by forming this business while the US went to war with Iraq. During this time is was great to get people together to make them know that they too are people. They too are fighting to get by in this life. 

Class #5 FollowUp/ HW

     13 categories of content for this art object "Map of The World" Alighiero Boetti

1. This Art is representational in the form of showing the world atlas as their own individual flags from each country. Something that people do not really know or sometimes not even think about. 
2. the title "Map of the World" lets the public know that this is not just going to focus on one place is going to be multiple places. Multiple flags, the world to be exact. 
3. genre will be the differences in flags. 
4. Using Fabric, I thought really brought even more of a uniqueness to the art work, at first your eyes deceive you thinking is work on canvas, but it really is colored fabric all over the peice.
5. Its a very big piece of art on purpose, so it can all be seen. All the flags and all the locations. 
6. I am not really sure on the temporal duration of the artwork. 
7. context of the work is the letters around the frame of the artwork. 
8. Art history, this artwork will have to be a very cultural time. 
10. Not really sure on the iconographic tradition of this artwork 
11. the formal properties of the work will be the frame of it. 
12. there is no attitudinal gestures to this artwork. 
13. the physiological response is a very positive one, your impressed that someone did the world atlas, not only of the world but of each individual flag into the country. Really a positive response, mind blowing in a way. 



Janine Antoni Video 
a. Describe the process of Antoni's rope-making piece, Moor (2001), that is discussed at length in the video. What is this piece about?
The rope making piece is describing the things in her life that is connected all in one. Each color and piece of work means something in the rope. Some of her friends put their own kind of rope in each. The pieces of rope have different sections as well, for example she has a section of "grandmothers."

b. The process of rope-tying that she learned is very different from the process of action painting.How is this method particularly appropriate to the meaning that she wants to get across?
The meaning she wants to get across is the method of how the object actually got there, how sometimes we forget how the objects feel or comes about. So she wanted to break apart the rope and slowly bring it all back together. 

c. Do you think a person completely ignorant of Antoni's work, someone with no verbal information to assist them, would understand the meaning of Moor ? What would they get? What would they miss?
Someone with no verbal information on Antoni's "Moor" art piece would no get this work. To anyone it is just rope, and color. But it is deeper than that, I think someone would miss the actual rope being different colors in different places, how thick or thin it is as well. I think one thing they would get is that each color represents something different in the art work, the person would not necessarily know the exact meaning but will be able to depict there is a difference.   


Think about skills that you know, that are important to your family, your traditions, or that you pride yourself in knowing. Describe in a paragraph-long blog post how you would adapt one of those skills to make an artwork that communicates something important about you, your family, your culture, or some important knowledge about yourself.
Something that is really important in my family is music. Music brings us all together, one of the many things we can always talk about or tune into when we're doing something as a family. Family reunions is something big for us to play music. I myself played the cornet/ Trumpet for 3 years, music is a part of my life. If i were to make a piece of Art work, I believe I would make a sculpture of different pieces of instruments, in an upside down pyramid. The reason why I would choose for it to me that way is to represent life, my life in a way. You don't always start off with everything at hand, things slowly come to you as you get older. I would use trumpets, saxophone, microphones, drums, flutes, drumsticks, triangle, violin, keyboard, piano keys etc.

Class #4- Hw

Lynda Benglis

1. Describe the artist's process.
Lynda's process, in my opinion is very unique and abstract. Whatever comes to her she does, whether is a spilling or still pieces, drawings, she is not afraid to reveal what people may seem as absurd. Lynda's process is things of now, and of movement. Movement of what you see for example of water, body. Lynda believes there is no such thing as containment, that everything is out in the open. That is how her beautiful pieces are created.

2. What information is the artist trying to translate through this process.
Lynda is trying to translate that in art, there is always going to be continually asking questions. Questions as to why it's in movement like this, why the color, why the size, texture, shape, form, movement. There is no such thing as containment, as stated before, there should always be room for questions. The process that she takes making her art always had a reason and question.

 3. What other information is (intentionally or unintentionally) captured in the finished visual/audio work.
Intentionally in the audio work, the information that is captured is the way she describes that her work wasn't really an expression, it was more so the way she used the materials and how it can work for her. Lynda believe she is still a painter, but she's painting with liquids.

 4. Is the final outcome of the process interesting to you? Why?
 Lynda's contraband piece or different colors and her final outcome of the process is something that was very interesting to me. I enjoyed seeing the different mixes that blended together. When Lynda compared the colors and mixes to cooking, I thought she was the most creative artist I've seen.

Hw/Class #3

Part A
1. How do Mutu's Human/insect/machine-like distortions of the body relate to conventional notions of female beauty?
Mutu's way of Art is very unique in the sense that her work is very hard to depict and describe at first. You need to really dig deep in trying to define what she is portraying in her work. Most of her work describes the female body and different features to it all at once. Mutu's distortions of the body relate to conventional notions of female beauty by having different segments of beauty. It can be the face, or it can be the legs or the hands, you may not actually know from one look. It has different notions, different ways of portraying the pieces.

 2. Describe how one of her works functions formally. How is the work beautiful and how is it ugly?
This piece in particular I like myself. It's a woman and she is posing sort of as an animal like form, the beauty of it you see she wears different colors and her surroundings you cant really tell where she is. How can it be ugly, well some people may not like the fact that the women is bald, or her big lips that is shown. Another way that it is beautiful is you can not tell what her ethnicity is, she has small eyes, big lips, but is like skin... can she be African American, Hispanic, white, or Asian? That is the beauty of it.


Part B
a.Find an image of yourself several years ago, or,even better, a drawing or painting or artwork that you made a few years ago and are embarrassed by:
b. Post it on your blog. 1. Write a paragraph detailing everything that embarrasses you about the image, about the out-of-step fashion, haircut, attitude, drawing style, everything that your eye goes to and makes you want to cringe. Give yourself some time to think about it and write at least a few sentences.

Looking at this picture, it embarrasses me. I am really into fitness and living a healthy life style for 2 years straight now, this picture was taken about 3 and half years ago. I can't believe i let myself look like this, not saying that I am so obese and fat or I look so horrible, it's just that i see the difference in then and now and I just say WOW. My cheeks are fuller, my hair is not set right at all, it's just so different. Now I look slimmer and I focus on how i do my hair. Of course it may not always be done because I am always in the gym, but most time i Make sure it's done neat. You just see such a different in a 4 year span. Makes you not want to go back and just improve yourself more and more.