This flag was created to represent the union of a Mexican
and American identity and culture. Instead of using the vertical tri-colors of
the Mexican flag, I decided to use the sarape as an inspiration and create a
flag that is composed of a variety of bright, beautiful colors. In the Mexican
culture, the sarape is a shawl or a blanket that is worm as a cloth used by
workers, horsemen and town folks. The more refined, beautiful and expensive
sarapes were worn by hacienda owners and gentlemen. Now, sarapes are seen as a
symbol of Mexican culture and pride.
This flag also incorporates the idea of the U.S.A flag
showing the blue rectangle that unified the 50 stars. In the center of that
rectangle there is an eagle biting a snake. This mixture of the 50 stars and
the eagle and the snake represents the unity that Mexican immigrants and
Americans create in our nation by immigrating and creating a new life all
across the 50 states.
The idea of a unity flag that represents both cultures was inspired
by some of Dr. Wei Ming Dariotis words. Often times, being mixed raced causes
one to feel lost and unidentified because there is not just one category that
can represent who you are. This flag, is a symbol that serves to represent a
person who identifies as being both Mexican and American without having to
decide one identity over the other.
As an artist, I wanted to create a flag that represented the
unity of both cultures and served as an identity symbol.
The materials that were used to create this unity flag were
colorful felt fabric squares that were cut into strips to create the different
colored stripes. The blue rectangle is a cut out of a U.S.A. flag. The eagle is
also made out of felt fabric and the snake is a paper cut out.
Really beautiful flag with excellent choices in colors and motifs. The concept is well reflected in the art. Please write like you're presenting your work in a show. As such, you should not directly discuss what's said in the class assuming your audience is also a student from the course. Overall, well done!
ReplyDeleteI really like your incorporation of the sarape into the flag. Initially, I thought that the eagle was the U.S. bald eagle, but then I remembered that the Mexican flag has an eagle too. So, I thought your representation of the eagle in a solid red color was clever but you never explained why it was red. I interpreted the ambiguous eagle as another portrayal of Mexican Americans belonging to both Mexico and the U.S. and how heartbroken they feel about choosing a side.
ReplyDeleteThe incorporation of American and Mexican values and symbols into one flag is very nice. It states harmony especially with the current state of affairs we are going through now. With mixed race children, I think that's what they are also looking for too, harmonious, peaceful coexistence. I think it would be nice to state how this flag relates to people who are does not identify as Mexicans and are mixed race?
ReplyDeleteI would like to first say that you guys did a marvelous job with making the flag. The artist statement says that the flag is a unity of the United States flag to the Mexican flag. I however, saw it as the unity of all race and all flags. Going back to the theme of the flag, I would like to know whether this "self identified" idea is exclusively for mix race individual, or does it also contain individuals who isn't white but self identify as being American?
ReplyDeleteI really like the thought that went into making this flag! Very aesthetically pleasing and holds very important values. I like how you used the sarape to show that being Mexican is something to be proud of - as you said it meant culture and pride. The statement was well written and very detailed, no need for improvement!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy this. It's a really well crafted flag, and making a Mexican-American flag that includes elements from both countries is very relevant to what we discussed in class last week. The sarape is really lovely! I like how it brings a traditional element of Mexican culture and replaces it with the horizontal stripes of the American flag. How the elements were combined is really well thought out and makes for a beautiful flag.
ReplyDeleteA refreshing take on the United States and Mexican nation, culture, dynamic. By focusing on the sarape, you are able to bring up the essence of the Mexican culture and its people. Incorporating the 50 stars and keeping the stripes as representative of the stripes on the Americna flag and the design on a sarape, you merge the two nations. The most interesting was placing the eagle eating a snake on top of the 50 states. Well done connecting your U.S.-Mexican identity to Dr. Dariotis' lecture about being forced to choose one ethnicity over another. Your statement introduces your flag very well, good job.
ReplyDeleteI liked how your flag wasn't merely a combination of the two flags, but you changed the whole background of it to match that of a sarape, which you said represents Mexican culture and pride. I think it was a basic idea for everyone to think they should just merge two flags, but you took the time to find another aspect that made it that much greater. I also enjoy the positive vibes behind your flag which was meant to give mixed race people, or Mexican-Americans, to have something that they can use to represent themselves.
ReplyDeleteThe flag looks amazing. From how aesthetically appealing it looks to the concept behind it is great. I learned something new as in the sarape and how it is the symbol of pride in the Mexican culture. Mixing the two flags shows self identified and it's awesome to see in a piece of art work. Overall great job. No need for improvements.
ReplyDeleteThe flag is very aesthetically pleasing and reflects this week's theme well. I really like how the artists combine two important elements of the U.S. and Mexican flags to show the unity of the two cultures. The art piece and the artist statement match well with each other.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed how you picked the elements from both countries to create the unity with in dichotomy. Choosing multiple colors and symbols to put into the flag gave it a deeper meaning. I wish there are more details explaining why you choose the snake eating instead of other animals. The artist statement well polished the flag and getting into further detail upon the meaning of the flag. I liked how you combined Wei Ming's idea into a general public and made such an authentic piece. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your artist statement and looking at your flag! Your statement incorporated this week's themes on the concept of dual identity and the struggles that come with being mixed race and touched upon every aspect of the flag. While your flag does represent two cultures - that of the Mexican and that of the American, it would have been cool if you talked broadly about other cultures as well. In doing so, your artwork would be more relatable to more individuals.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful flag and I really appreciate the cultural insight and awareness by alluding to sarape textiles. Not only is it very pleasing to the eye with the great uses of color, but it skillfully combines Mexican and American symbolism. It raises questions to the relationship between Mexico and America and as I see that eagle attack the snake, I think of the discourse and xenophobia many Anglo Americans have. Most importantly, it shows unity, which is what the concept of war babies/love children. The statement explains the piece well and I appreciate your efforts in illustrating much-need unity among two nations
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flag. I can see this flag representing people who do not identify with either the American or Mexican culture also. Your inspiration as to why you created your flag is interesting. One question I do have is how do you connect your flag to the love baby/war baby theme that we have discussed in class. Other than that great representation of two cultures coming as one.
ReplyDeleteThe flag is absolutely beautiful. I think their is a lot of symbolism in the flag, and combines two countries with a history with one another. The artist statement does a good job explaining your intent with the flag and why you choose certain symbols in your flag. Overall a great job, and I wouldn't add a thing.
ReplyDeleteThe flag combines the Mexican identity and American identity seamlessly and beautifully. The artist statement elaborates on the topic clearly. I have one question though; how would a Mexican American individual be perceived as a race traitor by Americans or/and Mexicans if they decided to publicly display the unity flag with pride?
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate how you actually created your flag out of fabrics! By looking at this I kind of understood that it was about the unification between U.S. and Mexican culture but was not as sure how this relates to mixed-race until I read the artist statement. Overall, great job!
ReplyDeleteI initially thought that the image on top of the 50 stars is a rose-vine monster where there was a demonic mouth about to chew on something. But the artist statement have cleared this first impression and it definitely works out to provide a distinct connection of the US citizens and Mexican immigrants.I love how your project is very simple yet well thought out. Your project is aesthetically pleasing to eyes! good job :)
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