In
hopes to empower the increasing numbers of the mixed race population, this
image was collaborated and organized by Alexis, Alaina, and Ia to represent
today’s racial caste system. Society has conformed to conceptualized boundaries
and continue to neglect marginalization, and fail to recognize the existence of
the marginalized population.
The artists were inspired by Rachel Dolezal’s case of owning her culture and ethnicity as how she personally recognizes herself in. She stepped out of the norm’s preconceived ideas of race and ethnicity as she held herself accountable to any changes to even her physicalities. The artists hope to reveal the prominent issues of the black and white binary complex. In society, people of color, including the mixed race population, are always situated upon the outcasted ground. This is represented by subjects (Alexis and Ia as the marginalized mixed race people) being in the middle of the sun and shadow (white and black binary complex), but only their silhouettes are shown due to society’s, if not disregard, often stereotypical extremes. But in both situations, the mixed race population is considered a ‘perpetual other,’ not showing their true selves: ambiguous, blurred, and neglected (thus only silhouettes are shown). The shadows, or the true unknown identification of the marginalized mixed race, are pushing forward towards the audience of this photo in an attempt to get others to see them as how they perceive themselves or want to be seen as, as opposed to being stereotyped from the color of their skin or race.
Rachel Dolezal’s situation proved to us that society still pursues to dictate boundaries of race, silencing any attempt of self-identification. As artists, we believe that self-identification goes beyond color and race, but attend to one’s character, personality, hobbies, likes, dislikes, etc. As this photo has presented, there are many issues that still force silhouettes upon people’s true characters, and one is the white/black complex.
At first I didn't understand the image and how difficult to see the subjects but after reading the statement I can recognize this as very powerful and interesting imagery regarding identity and race. I appreciate the topical mentions on Rachel Dolezal and the discussion of marginalization and mixed race issues. No need for improvement found.
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ReplyDeleteA very interesting piece on mixed race individuals self-identifying with one or more cultures and ethnicities, but perpetually cast in society's shadow as others. You've captured a very complex issue in a single, simple photo. Amazing. The artist statement clearly highlights and elaborates on the symbolism in the photo. No need for improvement.
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ReplyDeleteYou guys have outdone yourself with this photo and the statement that went with it. Choosing to have a picture to represent the shadow of the mixed race was a wonderful idea and perfectly displays that struggle of the white and black binary and also how there is so much more to a person besides physical features that others do not see. There is no need for improvement!
ReplyDeleteThe artist statement did a good job in explaining the picture, which helps with my confusion as well. The ideology pf the photo would be for society to move pass race a color. I think it's an interesting picture thinking outside of the box. We all have our shadow in life after all.
ReplyDeleteSimilar to the comment above, I didn't really understand your picture initially. However, after reading the artist statement, I was able to understand it very well. I really liked how your picture is simple at first glance, but is very dense and powerful with the artist statement. Your artwork and statement had a great balance of creativity and critical analysis. In my opinion, no change is needed. Loved it!
ReplyDeleteRachel Doleza's case is a particularly controversial one. Your group does have a point that a large part of the reason why Dolezal became under-fire was due to the way society is built. The visual, as explained through your artist statement, does a nice job in bringing in the idea of the black-white binary in relation to Dolezal and other mixed-race groups. I loved the connection you made with the silhouette, the way society sees the marginalized group. No need to improve.
ReplyDeleteI really love this. I was with a few others in that the image confused me at first, but the statement did an excellent job in clearing that up. Nice touch on the Dolezal case, I really enjoy this piece.
ReplyDeleteThe artist statement matches well with the photo and further explains the concept behind this piece. It also relates back to this week's theme and readings which cover the issues of colorism. I enjoy the photography, however I wish there was a little retouch done to this photo to make it even more powerful.
ReplyDeleteGreat picture! the artist statement does explain the meaning behind the portrait. A picture does have a thousand words and it does portray it and goes well with the themes.
ReplyDeleteI love the concept of this piece, I was confused at first but the artist statement did a good job of explaining the meaning behind the piece. I think this is a great piece and no need for any improvements.
ReplyDeleteAt first, I was very confused as to what this picture tried to represent. I think the artist statement was effective and clear and brought important information to make note of in order to understand the message this picture tried to come across. the idea behind it is very creative and the over all concepts really target topics discussed in class.
ReplyDeleteI need to read the statement in order to gain more insight on the reasoning behind it. Great message through the use of imagery. Even the text itself is in the black and white binary. The last sentence in your statement is very powerful. Great connection to our class discussions and no need for improvement.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting take on the Rachel Dolezal case! Like others, I didn’t understand what your project was about initially but after reading the artist statement, this is a very powerful photograph! Good job!
ReplyDeleteI agree how this photo may take a little more insight with the artist's statement in order to fully understand the message. However, the artist's statement really adds how symbolic and thought out this image is. I really enjoyed the take on the Rachel Dolezal case and the racial binary. Overall, this is very well done and you all did a great job!
ReplyDeleteThe artwork and artist statement makes the central idea of the marginalization of mixed race people clear; however, the artists could also go deeper into the historical reasons why MR people's status as race traitors leads to their marginalization.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed how you utilized the sun and the shadow to represent the idea of marginalization and how society looks different of how they truly represent. The artist statement is a little hard to read but overall very well explaining the piece and giving it more details. I enjoyed how you incorporate the idea from Rachel Dolezal and how she relates to the experience of the mixed race people. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea behind the creation of the photo. I also like the thoughts behind the artist statement. However, I don't think the photograph or statement goes far enough in pushing certain boundaries and ideas. I think the photo could have looked more uniformed or stylized in order not to appear like two random people taking a picture at dusk. Same with the statement there it didn't appear critical enough of the issues it attempted to bring up. Kudos on effort and trying to push artistic boundaries, though.
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