Artist Statement:
The song was inspired by our own personal positions. One is mixed race and one has a strong ethnic identity. The structure of the song was created so taht both of us are able to have a conversation inquiring about each other and challenging the system and society how it recognizes mixed race people. The song's lyrics are inspired both by this idea of 'boxes' discussed in the class as well as our own individual experiences with race and racial identity formation. Also discussed in the song are several common phrases spoken towards mixed race people such as "What are you?" and how being questioned like this affects personal racial identity. Primarily, the song's purpose is to bring to light individual specific struggles that mixed race people encounter from our own experiences and to critique society for seeing people for their race regardless of personal ethnic identity.
We believe that art not only expresses the message of the artist, but validates the experience of the artist and the reality that the song presents. Expression through art delivers strong reactions. We believe that art not only provides knowledge of a reality, but moves, challenges, encourages change.
The art project does reflect the theme of the past week’s readings and discussions. The creation of a musical dialogue between the two singers, who have different life experiences and viewpoints, was a very interesting way to discuss how race can be defined. Additionally, the artists’ statement matches the art project, but it is can be made stronger elaborating and writing down their “own personal positions.” Also, I really like the line “perception changes depending on the situation.”
ReplyDeleteI like how the music video points out that mix race individuals experience racism in both inside and outside their race. Although there was some typos, I think the artist statement did a thorough job in explaining the content of the music video and what it means to the artists. I think adding the lyrics to the video will improve the music video a lot.
ReplyDeleteBy providing two different perspectives of race from a mixed and non mixed individual, I think they video is a very strong representation of everything we've learned this week. The artist statement does a good job explaining the process of creating the video as well as why the creators chose what they did. I think the statement does a very great job explaining these aspects and has little to improve on!
ReplyDeleteI really liked how your group made the song building off of your own personal positions. Your song definitely reflected upon the concept of race and identity, which we discussed about in class last week. Your art project did match your artist statement, but one thing that you could have included were personal motivations as well. Overall, great job!
ReplyDeleteThe song does reflect on what we were talking about in class for the week. The project does match with the artist statement which talks about race identity and its struggles. It was a great project and I don't think it needs to make any improvements.
ReplyDeleteI love the concept of having a back and forth as partners who have different experiences. I think the song with its style of a conversation does a excellent job of talking about last weeks concept of figuring out someones identity. The song matches with artist statement and gave a great summary of what to expect. The artist statement was fine, the only thing that I would add is lyrics in the video.
ReplyDeleteInteresting how you started the song with people laughing and conversing over an individual, at least that is what I imagined. Your lyrics are well written, what struck me most was the comment about "eating dog." Additionally, points for pointing out the way society sees mixed race in comparison to how mixed race individuals see themselves. Your statement is clear and describes your song. Seems like your group composed your own track, in addition to writing original lyrics, so props to that. Good job!
ReplyDeleteThis project is particularly well done! I can't see anything that needs immediate improvement. I enjoy the back and forth between the two performers. Good job!
ReplyDeleteInstantly, the first image of your video is a young girl getting mocked caught my attention. Your lyrics were talking about your personal experiences, yet I was able to connect to them. Yes, your piece definitely related to the theme of the week and I feel that it also matched your statement.-->Estefanie Herrera
ReplyDeleteThe artists' passion about defining their ethnic identity is reflect in their work. The song matches the artists' statement very well, because the statement elaborates on the racial contexts and the questions of defining one's own idea of their ethnic 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 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 through synthesis of week one's readings.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this project; from the lyrics to the music and the music video. I think the artist statement does a good job at explaining aspects we talked about in class. Overall, well done!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the part of the song where one of the artists said that they're also searching for the answer as to what they are; I believe that this reflects their artist statement as to how people feel when they are constantly being questioned "what are you?" The group brings in the class discussion over whether we identify ourselves with our race or our ethnicity and goes over a bit of the struggles that go along with that. I believed the artist statement was clear and concise.
ReplyDeleteThe project reflects the discussion about we still cannot answer how we define mixed race, and because of that how the experience is different. The art project was talking more about personal experience while artists statement was more about the material we talked about in class. The artist statement can talk more about how the personal experience link to the discussion of the week. Overall it is a great project.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the personal touch of this projects. It's very moving to hear group members' strife with race, identity, and how they are mistreated/misunderstood by others. It reflects week 1's focus on mixed race misconceptions and the "boxes" people are put in. The piece is accompanied with a well written statement, no need for improvement found.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of having a dialogue with two people who have different experiences. I think this style does well of talking about what we learned last week about mixed racial identity and idea of boxes. The project reflects the group statement overall. There is no need for any improvement. It was good, great job!
ReplyDelete"What are You?" is a passionate song about feeling marginalized as a mixed person, put in positions of having to explain one's identity to others. The song was written in a form of a poem, performed, and and placed to music video with well curated images. Overall great job of looking at mixed race identity but did not get into deeper the reason for discrimination. Also, the song did not address more explicitly the issue of "race traitor" which is the theme of the exhibit. Lastly, creators could have written out the lyrics somewhere in their post for the audience to review more carefully.
ReplyDeleteThis song showed how other potray mixed raced people and how they judge the book by its cover. It really reflects this week's focus on how others perceive a mixed race person just by looking at them, just like how Obama's races can't be seen just by his face. The statement was very thorough and does not need any improvement!
ReplyDeleteChloe
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ReplyDeleteThis song delineates their personal experience of race and racism. The chorus is very true for most mixed race population, wanting to know who they are. The author also shows how very difficult to have a bicultural background, being in conflict with their homeland and their native land. Overall, the chorus was true to real life experience for most of us. One thing that may need improvement is lyrics of video could have been included. Good job guys! :D
ReplyDeleteThis addresses the question of what are you? and it addresses the individual and societal components. When asking questions such as, "Who is ______", the artists take both an individual and societal view. Furthermore, they complicate race by phenotype and culture.
ReplyDeletei think that this video is great! The message it gives is spot on! I think it was a great idea how you all incorporated the ideas from the "box" topics discussed in class. I think what would help improve the video and quality of work would be to add lyrics to the screen so the audience can follow along because there are certain parts throughout the sound when the vocals fade away and make it difficult to hear.
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