Artists Chau Huynh, Kieu Linh Valverde, and Onjena Yo each took two culturally and politically distinct countries together to form a unity flag, wherein it can act not only as a bold statement to the global world, but also allow for many interpretations using the abstract property of art as their foundation. As artists, we were inspired from their work and the open discussion of stolen economic and cultural production by Dr. Wei Minh Dariotis as we create this project “Made by Asians, For Asians Unity Flag”.
As the project title suggests, “Made by Asians, For Asians Unity Flag,” we hope to inspire Hapa artists and all others alike to promote their cultural products and handicrafts to everyone but most especially to themselves to further enrich the art of mixing. Economically, the flag unites All Asians to buy their own culturally made products. Working together, all Asians can help protect each of ther native design from being mass produced by a non-native. Furthermore, self promoting products of All Asian artists (Hapas and others of mixed race) will not only showcase their identity and talent, but also will inspire the intertwining and braided discourse of their cultures. Overall, the “Made by Asians, For Asians Unity Flag’s” goal is to increase respect and quality of production by All Asian artists (mixed or full) in any form of art such as films, paintings, handicrafts, literature, and many more.
The flag is composed of a variety of Asian flags that are pieced together using familiar Asian accessories. Like any other art, it is open for interpretation. In the upper left corner, the five flowers represents China as it imitates the stars in the Chinese flag. The star in the middle represents all various cultures of Vietnam, Philippines, Pakistan, Turkey and Hong Kong whose flags all consist of the same symbol in theirs. Similarly, the circle of rolled garment in the middle represent the countries of Japan, India, Laos, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, etc. whose flags contain the same symbol as well. Also, the green layer of bamboo represent countries of Jordan, India, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and other. Hmong is represented by the addition of their embroidery at the top and right side of the flag. 
Really well conceptualized project that is ambitious in its incorporation of many different country flags and countries' arts and crafts. However, sometimes by attempting to incorporate so many different cultural symbols, the art gets lots. In this case, the art piece itself, though serves as a valiant attempt, loses sound aesthetics.
ReplyDeleteYour flag is very radical and thought-provoking. It is radical because I interpreted your flag as more of a East vs. West thing. Elaborating on what familiar Asian accessories you physically used on your flag would be helpful since not everyone, including myself, cannot recognize them. Very intriguing piece overall.
ReplyDeleteThis goes back to what we talked about with professor Valverde and our guest speaker Wei Ming. I like how the art is a representation of the artist in that it shows who the artist is and not an idea of the artist. In addition, it also deliver the idea to promote self expression and identification. It looks like your flag is very authentic being hand craft.
ReplyDeleteI really like the thought process that went into making this flag. To me, it is like bringing together a community where everyone works together for the same goal. This allows us to become stronger even when there are those outside who want to tear us down. The statement was very thorough and explained all the specific details about the flag and how it was influenced. No need for improvement!
ReplyDeleteI like it! I think the idea of finding symbols to represent Asian solidarity is very neat. Though, I imagine it's hard to try and represent so many different nations in one flag -- especially when it brings up the question if any nations are being "cast aside" in favor of other nations have more apparent/stronger symbols. For example, I could easily figure out the flowers represented China and the red dot represented Japan, but the star representing other nations such as Turkey and Vietnam was a little lost on me. Otherwise, though, very well done!
ReplyDeleteA new take on mixed race and the art involved in this particular group of people. Your group thought beyond the negative experiences of these Hapa, and other mixed race groups and focused on the positive and the future. I particularly enjoyed the call to action directed towards mixed raced individuals asking them to have courage in being confident in their identity and culture. In addition, your statement was a clear reflection of what your group was able to create in your flag. Your flag is a new generation visual for how nations should see each other, having similar roots. Overall, an amazing job.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the unity flag concept. Bringing the whole community together and bringing awareness of identity even if one may be mixed race. However, I have to agree with the professor that the flag has too much when you try mixing so many different flags together. The help of the artist statement helped me realized what was what on the flag. Therefore, the only thing I would change is the project itself and try to make it easier for people to understand.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your concept behind this piece, basically how you want to inspire mixed race people, or specifically hapas, to embrace their culture and that there's no wrong in doing so. I liked the products used itself, such as the flowers and leaves, as it gives the whole piece a different texture as opposed to drawing things. But it does seem a bit cluttered and overwhelming when you first look at it. Otherwise, lovely piece!
ReplyDeleteThe flag is simple yet very impactful. It offers a different outlook on Hapa's negative experiences, focuses on positivities, and embraces different cultures and identities. The artists' statement matches the flag well and it further explains the thought process going behind this piece. It could be aesthetically improved.
ReplyDeleteI see your idea behind creating a flag that represents all the Asian community. In fact, I think it's a great idea! The idea really touches upon the discussion we had in class about people who identify as Hapa and the positive and negative experiences. The only thing is that trying to incorporate so many different countries in one flag leads to confusion.
ReplyDeleteI really like how your art project was very symbolic and was pieced together using a variety of Asian flags. I also thought that your artist statement helped to explain your artwork well; I was able to understand your overall message clearly regarding using a mixed flag to encourage the mixing of culture and people. One thing that I was curious about was why did you choose to talk about the countries that you included in your artwork. Additionally, your artwork could be enhanced a bit more to better match your complex statement.
ReplyDeleteI like the ideas that are incorporated in the piece. I think to me it looks more like a social criticism in a form of art. I wish the color of the flag is less bright so that it does not give the image of aggressiveness. The artist statement supplements the ideas to the flag and i like how mixing different cultural symbols can be unification. I wish the mixing of the symbols can be less obvious so that it looks merging rather than each one of them talking by itself. Overall awesome ideas!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your artist statement, I enjoyed that you took a approach of unity among different Asian countries, as well as through their economy by only buying self made material. I thought the artist statement was well written, and helped me understand your piece. The only thing I would suggest is making your art piece demonstrate your purpose more, I really didn't know what you were trying to do until I read your artist statement. Other than that, great piece.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting to see such a vivid combination of multiple asian flags. As a whole, this piece is very creative and driven by the candor of the many inspirational figures we've learned and heard from in this class. I feel a little unsure at what I am viewing in certain areas of the flag like along the sides but your statement acts a a good aid and insightful exploration in the history and value of war babies during the vietnam war.
ReplyDeleteYour project and artist statement is very refreshing to me, because I've never seen a flag that unifies Asian nation-states and cultures together. The artist statement explains the flag's meanings and symbolism well, but the flag design by itself does not represent the ideas of neo-pan-Asian unification clearly and immediately. Also, although your provide a very humanitarian and heartfelt approach of preventing cultural appropriation against Asian culture through your flag, Asian designers and artists can still culturally appropriate and take Asian cultural products out of context and out of their historical significance -- thus demoting the designs to lines and shapes without their meanings. Additionally, this flag could be controversial because there's a history of political tensions between different Asian ethnic groups. How can this flag transcend these political tensions and histories of inter-ethnic conflicts in the US and abroad?
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate how you took the time and used mixed-media in this project, rather than creating it on the computer. Although, if I didn’t read the artist statement, I wouldn’t have understood what the symbols meant. So perhaps, if you are to revise this, maybe try to find ways to combine all of them together? Or eliminate which one you think is more important and just use that one? Overall, good job!
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