Artist Statement:
Artist is half Chinese and half white where his mother is Chinese and father is Caucasian. Back in middle school, he was teased for being Asian because of the stereotype that he was smart, intelligent, nerdy, but mostly introverted. He went to a predominantly White school so most of his classmates were Caucasian. Because he looked Asian and not his White side, one of his classmates used to pressure him to do homework for him. This was until his Caucasian classmate finds out that he is also half White. From there, he becomes more socially accepted into society.
Being someone who is thought of as a minority and majority is difficult especially as a child who is still learning their identity. He wonders why he cannot be accepted as both Chinese and White, and that if he should identify himself as White because that race is more socially accepted into society.
I think it is very unique for the artist to integrate a part of their experience as a mix race person into the music video. The lyrics themselves cover a lot of the topics that we went over in class like the love child and war baby. The artist statement gives a good background to the artist motivation to create the music video as well. I think a way to improve the overall art is to talk more about what the music video means to you as the artists.
ReplyDeleteI really love this project! It reflects the theme and teachings of this week in a really funny way utilizing the stereotype of Asians being smart and the specific experience of a hapa. The artist statement gives a more serious look into the experience of being a half asian individual and it definitely reflects the video and intent of the creators. Good job, I love the use of hotline bling!
ReplyDeleteThis art project does reflect the theme of the past week, specifically touching on the one drop rule and its disproportionate importance when drawing racial lines. Although the artists’ statement does not connect the significance of the song to this concept, it does imply it. Moreover, the artists’ statement supports the art project, but it focuses on people’s perception of him. I would like to read about how he identifies, how it feels to gain social acceptance by promoting his Caucasian side, his experience with the Chinese community, etc. All of this would contribute and tie in to the complexity of racial issues.
ReplyDeleteIt was really cool that you did a remix for the song, Hot Line Bling! Your song does reflect a few themes that were touched upon in class, like stereotyping and racial identity. Your artist statement didn't explicitly connect the concepts we learned in class to your art project, but I could see that you were hinting towards them. One thing that would suggest would to focus more on the meaning behind your music video and connecting your ideas to the concepts we learned in class because it would make your statement stronger.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the whole video. The song does reflect on what we talked about in class about mixed race problems. The project does match the artist statement about the race and culture conflicts of being a mixed race. It also presents the typical stereotypes found in Asians. I don't think there are any improvements to be made.
ReplyDeleteWell written lyrics, and a good choice of song. Your artist statement is well written and summarizes the concepts presented in your song as they reflect what we talked about in the first week. However, in your next statement please include how you came to write about a Chinese-American boy being used in the beginning, and later accepted because those around him found out he was half white. Also, please include what it means for you group to be an artist and what your philosophies are in creating art, as these were included in the instructions in the syllabus. Nevertheless, a job well done, very good beat!
ReplyDeleteI liked that you touched upon a specific experience in the song, it made it personal. The song directly talks about the weeks readings and discussion about being mixed race and some of the struggles those that are mixed race have to deal with. The artist statement completely explains the song, but I think you could have gone more in depth about the inspiration for the song in your artist statement.
ReplyDeleteThis is great! I feel like lyrics in the video wouldve been a small improvement because I can't understand a few of the verses-- but otherwise I love it! I like that you two used Hotling Bling. The song itself is a very interesting piece. I enjoy that it touches upon being the "other" in a predominantly single race school. It's an experience I'm no stranger too. The artist statement is well done and so is the song. Love it!
ReplyDeleteYes, you definitely touched on this weeks themes! I liked your hook as it related to the story behind the song of this individual and their struggle to find themselves regardless of the labels that are placed upon him in regards to race. Great interpretation of a popular song!
ReplyDeleteYes, you definitely touched on this weeks themes! I liked your hook as it related to the story behind the song of this individual and their struggle to find themselves regardless of the labels that are placed upon him in regards to race. Great interpretation of a popular song!
ReplyDeleteThe artists' examination of defining one's ethnic identity as a mixed race person 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 as a mixed race person 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.
ReplyDeleteIn the past week, we have discussed about the multiracial identity, its history and struggles. This particular song is able to grapple on the theme and readings of the week. The song matches with the artists' statement very well by introducing a back story to the lyrics. However, I wish the artist statement would included why multiracial identity is not always malleable and the struggles that come with it on a broader level rather than solely focusing on one particular issue in the song.
ReplyDeleteI like your project a lot! - especially how you corporate Hotline Bling into your music because not only did you managed to highlight aspects we discussed in lecture but also made it easy on the ears. Besides adding in what it means to be artist, there is nothing else to be improved upon! Good job!
ReplyDeleteThe song definitely discusses ideas of multiracial identity and what it feels like to be seen as one side or another and how that can affect social status and acceptance for a multiracial person. The artist statement does a good job of describing the backstory for the song. Overall I enjoyed the song, but it would be more understandable if the artist's inspirations for writing about this mixed race individual were known.
ReplyDeleteI like the approach to this particular project as it basically told the story of a mixed race person and the stereotypes they faced. The project reflects the struggles pointed out in the artist statement where the mixed race person is generally only seen as one or the other, I believe the statement can be improved if they delve a bit into what they believe being an artist means.
ReplyDeleteThe project reflects the discussion about what it means to be mixed race and how the artist's personal experience ties into it. The art project match with the artists statement, and I like how the song is very catchy with interesting story. Overall it is a great project, and I enjoyed a lot.
ReplyDeleteThe project does reflect the themes and reading of the week regarding the discussion of how society treats mixed race people. The lyrics do relate to the statement but the statement itself feels underdone and should perhaps expand on how the piece was created and what creating art means to the artists.
ReplyDeleteI love this art project. It is original, unique, and creative. It reflects the theme of week 1 about mixed race/hapa by drawing upon the stereotype of Asians as smart and a hard worker and the stereotype of Asian’s experience of being treated differently by peers when they discover that you are a mix of White and Asian. The art project reflects the artists’ statement in a unique way. I think the artist statement can be improved by talking about how this piece was created and what does it mean for you to be an artist.
ReplyDelete"2 Worlds" takes a mixed race person's high school experience dealing with ideas of racial stereotypes, shame of one's mixed race background, and desperate need to blend in. This is not quite relayed in the statement and the statement lacks deep analysis and theme of "race traitor" and "identity". Song does not have to pound the themes and analysis but the statement should have had it.
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ReplyDeleteI have multiple impressions of your work. First of all, I am very entertained in that your choice to use a mainstream song appeal to me that it is "fun", although you may not intend it to be so. Second, I appreciate you for telling us your personal experiences. Pairing your personal experiences with the mainstream song, to me, almost make light of the situation, again may not be intended, because I am constantly reminded of the memes and revision videos of Drake's music video. Regardless, your song aligns with the week's objective of not fitting in and ambiguity.
ReplyDeleteI have multiple impressions of your work. First of all, I am very entertained in that your choice to use a mainstream song appeal to me that it is "fun", although you may not intend it to be so. Second, I appreciate you for telling us your personal experiences. Pairing your personal experiences with the mainstream song, to me, almost make light of the situation, again may not be intended, because I am constantly reminded of the memes and revision videos of Drake's music video. Regardless, your song aligns with the week's objective of not fitting in and ambiguity.
ReplyDeleteThis piece addresses the idea of being less ethnic by being mixed. An individual is less than full Chinese, and less than full white. Interestingly, typical stereotypes of ethnicity were challenged and perpetuated--such is experience of an individual.
ReplyDeleteThe lyrics is interesting as it presents some of the mixed race population's struggle. When composed of two different races, most often do people associate them to the 'lower' race. In Nakashima's article, he coined this concept as hypodescent. The artist chose an interesting Drake music background. This project could be improved by adding lyrics on screen for viewers to read.
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