By Andrea, Nicholas, and Llesenia
We drew our inspiration for this art piece from Dr. Valverde and the perception of being Amerasian even though she’s Eurasian. We wanted to further exemplify the choice between following your heart and proudly identifying as one race or going with what other people tell you that you are. More importantly, we wanted to address the question of whether or not mixed race people have authority to speak on matters of they strongly identify with. We decided to use the sisters after a dialogue our group had about one of our members experience being mixed race. We settled on the sisters because we thought it was an experience not discussed enough. Are the two sisters on the card fakes for omitting one identity, for trying to pass as one race? We also chose to use the two sisters experience to further exemplify the complexity of being mixed race. Despite both these sisters growing up in the same area, with the same parents, and close in age, they have such different experiences from one another. As artists we want to highlight the question of how authentic are mixed race people. By choosing one race, is one’s identity diminished? Are you a traitor to one race by only acknowledging one race to yourself or others? The card is a Joker with a literal fork in the middle of the road; it is symbolic of how silly it is to choose to be half of a person, but it is something imposed on them.
I think this art piece did a great job in going back to the theme of Race Traitors. It touches upon a lot of the topics pertaining to our readings, Passing and The Sympathizer. It's a struggle between what your own principle and what you identify as versus how you see things and how other people sees you. A fork on the road where you are force to choose one or you can't move on.
ReplyDeleteI think this art piece did a great job in going back to the theme of Race Traitors. It touches upon a lot of the topics pertaining to our readings, Passing and The Sympathizer. It's a struggle between what your own principle and what you identify as versus how you see things and how other people sees you. A fork on the road where you are force to choose one or you can't move on.
ReplyDeleteOur class has had a long discussion of what it means to be mixed race. "Passing" does discuss how a mixed race individual tries to pass as one, and your group has incorporated that into your discussion in the artists statement, and further elaborated the two sisters's story on the description on the card. I did enjoy your group's take on choosing one ethnic group over the other and using that even sisters of the same family may identify differently. Nevertheless, I would have loved it more if your group took it a step further because the discussion of choosing one ethnicity over the other has been discussed already. Instead of looking at it from this basic point of view, maybe look more closely at the outside pressures why mixed race people are forced to choose. Is it human nature? Is is from past influences? I liked the idea, I just felt a bit short on the discussion.
ReplyDeleteThe concept of two sisters gives a potentially refreshing angle of mixed race issues on favoring one racial identity over the other; however, the idea needs to evolve theoretically and conceptually. For instance, the group could introduce and elaborate on the reasons behind the sisters' decision to be race traitors (the framework of ASA 115) and favor one of their racial identities over the other as an act of betrayal and treason to their Mexican American community. What do the sisters gain by passing as pure Chinese and "playing" their Chinese identity card as an advantage? What are the socio-economic, political, and personal reasons for the sisters to become partners in betraying their Mexican American community -- especially if the two communities have socio-political tensions between them? Perhaps a more developed background story and more context would bring new angles to basic information and make the group's idea more interesting and theoretically rigorous and complex. For example, to transcend binary thinking and engage in sophisticated thought, the group could conceptualize the specific contexts that sisters use their Chinese identity cards AND their Mexican American identity card to their advantage, diplomatically negotiate interracial tensions between their communities, or to mitigate their disadvantages.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the symbolism within this art piece and how literally these two sisters had to choose between one part of their whole identity and go that route. I do wish I had more information about the repercussions either of the sisters had to deal with in regards to choosing one racial identity over another.
ReplyDeleteI think it's great you guys were so inspired by Professor Valverde and the subject matter and symbolism reflects what we learned during the week as well. With the artist statement I can clearly understand the struggles that you were trying to portray in your art as well as every artistic choice. Perhaps the artist statement could even touch base on gender roles, womanhood, or feminism and race seeing as the subject is two sisters. But overall, nice job!
ReplyDeleteThe artist statement leaves a little bit out -- as stated by others -- on what it means to be 'mixed-race sisters'. There's a lot more that could be added, but I still think this piece is done well and the statement explains the piece clearly.
ReplyDeleteI thought that your artist statement was very concise and straightforward, but went well with your artwork. I was able to understand theme centered around the idea of authenticity. Maybe one thing that your group can elaborate on is defining authenticity to make your argument stronger.
ReplyDeleteI think it is interesting how the back of the card is telling a story rather than a non-fictional fact. The artist statement is a little confusing to understand the concept of why using a fork on the middle of the street. The analysis of being a mixed race and choosing the identity between two is great, but still needs more depth on social influence upon the people rather than just a story. Overall great job!
ReplyDeleteI like the concept behind the image especially having read the artist statement. The card does relate to the theme, but maybe explain a bit more about it in the artist statement
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the narrated story that went with the card. It was very informative and touches on our ongoing conversations in class and in readings about multiracial identities. Great work and no need for improvement!
ReplyDeleteAlso the statement was very thorough and directly relates to the art piece.
DeleteI thought this was a very interesting and unique piece. I did not quite understand the image of a fork being stuck in between two lanes until i read your artist statement. Your artist statement was very straightforward and went along with your artwork very well. I don't think improvements are needed! Good job!
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