Assignment 5C

MoLAA stands for Museum of Latin American Art. The goal of the museum is not just to display art, but rather to educate the viewer about the history of the Latin culture and experience. The curriculum we studied this semester will ensure that when I make my annual summer trip to Southern California to visit my in laws and stop by MoLAA I will understand the rich tradition and history of Latin American arts.
This curriculum has helped me realize that the Latin American culture has contributed to our modern society in every facet of life including art.

Fernando de Szyszlo is an 83 year old Peruvian artist who has spent the better part of his life trailblazing as a one of Latin Americans most influential abstract artist.
Among his work is one piece I thought was especially appropriate given the lessons of this class:

Cajamarca 1959 is one of a series of paintings composed by Szyszlo. It is based on the Battle of (or Massacre at) Cajamarca when a surprise attack was brought upon the Incan Royal Entourage by Conquistador Francisco Pizzaro in 1532.

http://www.museum.oas.org/permanent/images/new%20images/szyszlolarge.jpg

Assignment 5B

Viva La Republica - Una Pagina de Gloria

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/Miguel_Hidalgo_y_Costilla.jpg

I came across this piece while researching Miguel Hidalgo. It connects to our studies as it is how Hidalgo rallied his constituents to revolt against the Spaniards.
The first that sticks out to me in this piece are the bold words or proclamation of independence. Even more impressive is the fact that this piece of literature includes Hidalgo’s own face. I find that interesting because I would expect someone who had such revolutionary and potentially (and actually) deadly ideas to want some form of anonymity. But that wasn’t the case with Hidalgo. He had a set of beliefs and did not hide from them – again for better or for worse.

Assignment 5A

The Independence Period refers to an era in the early 19th century when much of Latin America – still dominated by European entities revolted in the name of independence and subsequently became a fractured group of nations throughout Latin America.

The reason I decided to research Miguel Hidalgo is because like most topics I’ve researched in this class – I’m familiar with the term or the name but not familiar with what that name represents. It was because of this that I looked forward to reading about this man.

First thing I thought was interesting about Hidalgo was the fact that he was a party loving priest. Aside from being a fornicator with multiple children, he was a guy who liked to have a good time and enjoyed playing practical jokes. Yes this was hypocritical behavior but some would argue that it is also consistent with church – both then and now.

The second item I found interesting is also hypocritical in that he found no shame in mixing church and state. He used his position within the church to rally his parishioners into revolting against the Spanish establishment. For better or for worse.


The final item worth noting is that Hidalgo was a great academic. Perhaps this enlightened state was what made him feel it was okay to behave outside of what was traditionally accepted behavior of a priest. At the same time it also could have contributed to his ability to ascertain the unjust going on in his community and subsequently rally his parishioners to revolt.

http://www.answers.com/topic/miguel-hidalgo

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miguel_Hidalgo#Uprising

Assignment 4C

Research the word "culture" on the Internet

Culture is the socialization or imparting of values from a particular group into an individual. It defines who someone is based upon the cumulative values and behaviors of the group (which can be a family, religious group or political/racial group). I believe culture to have many layers but it is usually generalized (for better or worse) into simple groups.

http://www.carla.umn.edu/culture/definitions.html

For assignment 4A – I read Katherine Durate’s contribution. I am embarrassed because of two things. I did my research on Junipero Serra and evidently overlooked a couple items because she highlighted some new information for me. The second reason I was embarrassed is because as recently as September I was in Carmel and completely neglected to visit the mission established by Junipero Serra.
What I found interesting is that although he did well to establish nine missions during his life, the effect of his teachings propelled the establishment of an additional twelve missions AFTER his death. That was an amazing testament in my mind.

For assignment 3A – I read Nicole Godinez. She researched the Mayans. I knew that although the Mayans where an ancient culture, they were highly sophisticated – creating what we now know to be the 365 day calendar. But what I didn’t know prior to reading her contribution was about the class society that existed even back then. Kings, Priest – a middle class and a poor or slave class. Many of the stereotypes so prominent today where consistent back then as well. It’s amazing how we grow so much as a society and yet remain stuck in mud on some of the most fundamental issues. No wonder the same issues continue to plague us.

Assignment 4B

“Monument of Junípero Serra (with Juaneño Indian boy) on plaza”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Mission_San_Juan_Capistrano_4-5-05_100_6535.JPG#filelinks

I came across this monument or sculpture of Junipero Serra while researching his life and travels throughout Mexico and California. It connects to our study of humanities by illustrating exactly what Junipero Serra represented in molding Latin America into what we know it to be today. He was a Father, a guide, a beacon of what was trying to be impressed upon the natives as “right and righteous” – for better or for worse.

In this monument/sculpture I see the figure of a trusted man, embracing a young man with his hand outreached to the heavens in what I think is the receiving and transmitting of some sort of blessing. In my research I found out that Junipero Serra used drama and sensationalization to drive home his point. Perhaps that was what was being used here.
What I find interesting about this piece of art is the amazing attention to detail, including the rosary beads, the creases in his robe and his hair. Excellent work by the sculptor.

What I’d like to know about this composition is exactly what was Junipero Serra was doing and how often did he perform this act? As I mentioned, he was known for his powerful speaking and dramatic demonstrations. Was this one of them caught in time?

Assignment 4A

The Colonial Period, from 1492 to 1810 is representative of the era that molded Latin America into what we know it to be today – and that does not necessarily mean that is a good thing.
Oppression, disease and exploitation were the primary methods of European invaders, especially the Spanish that were used to reduce the culture and history of the indigenous people next to extinction.

The topic I chose to explore was Junipero Serra of Mallorca. The reason I chose this topic was because I have often heard of Junipero Serra or Junipero Serra of Mallorca but never understood who or what this phrase was in reference too. So that made this choice easy.
Here are three facts I found interesting about this topic:

The Father Junipero Serra – a Spanish Franciscan Priest was the man who founded and established the first of what would become nine missions in California. During his travel along the west coast of America he became recognized as a prolific speaker and an effective teacher in teaching the catechism to the indigenous people.

While Father Junipero Serra is held in high esteem in many circles, there is a side to his history that could be considered shameful. As one of the first Spanish settlers on the West Coast, he and his comrades played a role in the above mentioned oppression of Native Americans – colonial zing them and suppressing their culture in the interest of inculcating the European religious ideologies.

The last item I think is worth mentioning and I find admirable is that regardless of whether or not you agree with the teachings of some individuals, I think it is worthy to note the sacrifice and obstacles endured to deliver what they thought to be worth sharing. As I mentioned he traveled throughout California and Mexico – often by mule or walking. He feel off a mule shortly after arriving in America and the subsequent injury was one that would follow him for years to come. Unfortunately, he died at the age of 71 by the bite of a serpent of all things.
Ironic.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXdGy1WtQ_4

http://www.iknow-majorca.co.uk/tourist_information/mallorca_holidays/inca_mallorca/biography_junipero_serra.htm

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Serra-Ju.html

Assignment 3C

Matthew MacDonald:
Although Paulo Freire’s teaching remain excluded by mainstream teaching models, some of the fundamentals of his ambitions remain a very strong component of what is a free society. For example, Paulo implemented his theories by teaching 300 sugarcane workers to read and write. The impact of this is that these workers who previously could not vote where thereby allowed to vote and impact society by electing officials that had their better interest at heart.

Paul Hopkins:
Paulo Freire` was an educated and influential theorist of the 20th century. Instead of pursuing riches, he instead sought to educate the oppressed and put them in a position of empowerment by means of knowledge. One of his most famous quotes (and my favorite) was: “I never accepted that educational practice should be limited just to the reading of text, the reading of words, but that it should include the reading of context, the reading of the world.” This quote is of interest to me because in this modern world, so much is put into what someone says, and very little is put into the context of those words. What they mean in the intended context is of more significance that what the definition is.

Class Relevance:
I believe that Paulo Friere’s theories and teachings have a substantial relevance to our class. In addition to being a prominent member of Latin American culture/history, his theories remains a cornerstone of what I believe is a truly free society. Knowledge, even in its most basic form such as reading and writing is truly power. The more we know, the more we learn, the less room we have for ignorant differences such as racism and the less inclined we should be to want to hurt one another.