Artists: Samantha Soleta, Thuy Trinh Nguyen, & Kou Xiong
Artists Statement:
We created this music video to express the struggles that mix race people face. Thao and his song “I’m Happy” inspired us to create this music video. Our music video was created easily with the knowledge we’ve gathered throughout this past week in the course. The video is meant to reflect not only the struggles we’ve seen faced by those we’ve learned of but as well as our own personal stories and experiences with race.
This song expresses our feelings of being misidentified and misunderstood. It is meant to express our certainty and pride of the culture and heritage we originate from. To show that we are not defined by the color of our skin and the place we came from but the person we choose to be. Our pictures depicts the many faces of people like us. We believe that we are not black or white but simply human beings. We must acknowledge the differences in all people, races, and cultures but also respect everyone equally for we all deserve the same kind of treatment and equality. We created this music video to show that even though society dictates our race, society does not dictates who we are.
I really liked how the music was in sync with the lyrics and pictures in your art project! I think you all did a wonderful job in covering a the issues that mixed race individuals face, which we definitely covered in class. Moreover, your artist statement was well written in that it touched upon the concepts and ideas behind the artwork. One thing that could be added would be what being an artist means to all of you.
ReplyDeleteThis art project reflects the question of what is race and struggles mixed race individuals face as discussed in class. Moreover, the artists’ statement matches and elaborates on the feelings of the artists’ who created this art project. I’m not sure how the statement can be improved.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the whole song video. The song does reflect on what we talked about in class about mixed race. The project does match the artist statement about the race and culture conflicts of being a mixed race. I don't think there are any improvements to be made.
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ReplyDeleteOf course the theme of the week was about mixed race, and your group has written song for just exactly that. From your artist statement it seemed like this project and course was close your group members because you mentioned you created the lyrics through personal experiences. I liked the fact that you opened the song with the various names for what society may call certain mixed race people. The lyrics are well written, well done. Next time, in you artist statement please state what it means to be an artist, and what is means to create art as this was one of the questions asked in the syllabus.
ReplyDeleteThe song directly talked about last weeks concepts of being mixed race, and even used some term which was cool. The artist statement does a good job about explaining the song and describing how your group feels on the topic. The only thing your artist statement needs is what it means to be a artist, other than that great song and artist statement.
ReplyDeleteThe video is really well done. I love the song choice and the images match well. The artist statement addresses why the song was made, though I would like to know a bit more about the technical process (what was done, how did you all brainstorm, etc). That aside, really well done! Good job.
ReplyDeleteThe song definitely reflects the themes of isolation and struggles that mixed race people face that were discussed in the last week. It also matches the artist statement perfectly as the song focuses heavily on ideas of being misidentified. I really enjoyed the opening sequence with the addition of hands around the world. Overall really great, the only thing I would improve is mentioning your thoughts as artists.
ReplyDeleteYour introductory lyrics were good! The terms used, are used often yet we don't educate people enough on the feelings and meaning behind those terms. The message you conveyed was good, I enjoyed it! For the artist statement, just make sure to let your audience know what your purpose is (:
ReplyDeleteThe artists' examination of defining one's ethnic identity (despite being misperceived as other races by other people) is reflected in their work. The song matches the artists' statement well, because the statement elaborates on the racial contexts and the question of defining one's own idea of their ethnic identity and authenticity of their identity though the power of art production. However, the song still needs to connect to the theme of the week, because it does not discuss about the idea or history of mixed race people as race traitors explicitly and beyond the surface level analysis of race and identity politics. The song lacks the theoretical framework of Dr. Valverde's theory of race traitors (which comes with a very specific definition and criteria) and analytical, more complex, and more through synthesis of week one's readings.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if one does not examine and observe how the historical forces of race (as a power mechanism) in institutions socially control and serve as professional obstacles in people of color's life by stating that we are all equal human beings, how can POC protect themselves from the reality of race-based workplace violence in institutions such as academia?
This art project reflects on individuals who feel misunderstood/misidentified by others because of their mixed race identity. The art project matches with the artists’ statement and the feelings of the artists’ who created this art piece were visible. The music, lyric, and picture synchronize perfectly. I think the artist statement can be improved upon if you state what it means to be artists, but overall, good work!
ReplyDeleteI like how you incorporated some terms that was mentioned in last week’s lectures. The video, itself, was well created. However, I think it would’ve been better if you mentioned what it means to be an artist and why you created this video. Other than that, good job!
ReplyDeleteThe art project delves into the feelings of multiracial people being misunderstood and misidentified in society, which was a common theme discussed in class; just because you look like one race doesn't mean that's all there is to you. I believe the artists' feelings were well expressed in their song. One line said that they are they mystery, which I feel reflects what mixed people often feels as we also question who we actually are. To improve the artist statement, I think it'd be good if they touched upon what being an artist to them means.
ReplyDeleteThe project reflects the discussion we had in class, specifically mentioning the terms. The art project match with the artists statement, addressing about the issue of being misunderstood. The artist statement went through in detail about the issue about mixed race, but it can go over more about the meaning of creating art work. Overall it is a great project.
ReplyDeleteThe lyrics incorporate terms and concepts learned in class and readings very well. The statement lack a personal touch, maybe explicitly include personal anecdotes or what other readings or lecture topics inspired you also. As a whole the project successfully reflects the themes of problems with mix race identity. The statement does support the song and makes strong statements but maybe also expand on them or explain the importance of identifying as just "human beings".
ReplyDeleteThis song takes on an air of celebrating mixed race identity. Writers kept the lyrics simple to reflect this simple concept, but could have tackled a more analytical and critical stance in the artist statement. The song marginally fits into the exhibit's theme if you wish to expand it to everything mixed race. Images chosen had too many watermark signatures which distracted from the over look of and feel of the video. Images were not especially interesting either.
ReplyDeleteThis song was very powerful in being proud of being mixed raced. It focused on this week's reading about being mixed race about how someone being mixed race can be seen only as one race to others, and how it puzzles both parties. I think the project was really detailed and the statement was well written but could include what it means to be an artist!
ReplyDeleteChloe
I love the beat of the song! The artists have included the concepts of mixed race, race traitor and struggle to identity. The lyrics delineates the experiences of a mixed race child/ person. They show the importance of other culture and ethnicities, which is almost always excluded from the black/white binary. I like how they included their native language in the song, empowering the concept of mixed race as well. I love this project! :D
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the photos that compliments the song melody and lyrics. Your group definitely incorporated many terms and concepts presented in class, looking at yourself not just a mystery of race, but individually as the framework of a love child.
ReplyDeleteThis addresses categories and boxes in which people of mixed race are place. The artists work to complicate ideas of mixed race and convey the message that an individual decides with which boxes they fit--if any.
ReplyDeleteYour video talks about the struggles and experiences people of mix race experience because they are not able to identify with only one race. This is also a topic that was discussed in class, which I think your group did a great job in. The only thing I would say that could be improved is the color of the font of the text on the video. In some images it is hard to read.
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