The notorious drug war and wanton violence is taking over Mexico. The government and police seem to have no control over the situation as the drug cartels have the most power out of anyone in the country. However, there are a few who attempt to denounce the violence of the drug cartels that spreads across the country like a bloody wildfire through poetry, music, and painting. Javier Sicilia, a poet, denounces the drug violence that killed his son through his last poem and Marcos Castro painted a picture of the destruction of the Mexican culture and people, influenced by the lyrics from singer Lila Downs, who sang about death because of the drug trade in Mexico. Marcos Castro’s “La Reyna del Inframundo”, taken directly from Lila Downs’s lyrics, illustrates the control of violence over Mexico and its culture through the contrast between light and dark, referencing the battle between destruction and hope, shape, the spiral in the middle of the painting suggests a tornado of extermination, and scale and position of objects, namely the gun which exemplifies the emphasis on violence and death.…
Rivera’s painting are often controversial and spark debate in all kinds of circles, whether it be for his political affiliations or the subject matter of the paintings themselves. In a way, Pan American Unity avoids some of this controversy with his themes of unification and harmony. One might think that the North and South, in this case the United States and Mexico, stand diametrically opposed to one another, but Rivera sought to unite them in common themes. He showed how the labors of the Mexican farmers and ingenious people were not that dis-similar from the backbreaking work of the Detroit autoworkers. Most, if not all, scenes depicted show Mexicans and Americans side…
Throughout life we identify ourselves with fundamental traditions that correlate with us from the early years of our lives. A practice we learned from our ancestors and remains in our families for decades, symbolizing our great legacy and pride. In a distinctive poem “Green Chile” (1989) by Jimmy Santiago Baca, he exhibits a solid connection between his grandmother and chiles. A unique relationship that goes beyond pride and respect for a man who shows appreciation for his native country, despite of who he is today. Baca’s (1989) poem “Green Chile” is an example of how a simple dish has an immense value, expressing appreciation and love for the land where he grew up. In this unique poem, culture and sacrifice are two important messages the writer emphasizes.…
Mirkin’s article, “Aurora Reyes: ataque a la maestra rural,” was about one of the most iconic women in Mexican history. She was a very inspiring woman, she still found time to create her murals and fight for what she believed in all while being a single mother of two and having a job. Reyes was someone who fought for things that were dear to her such as education, children, and equality for women. I found it interesting but not surprising that her murals reflected her beliefs and illustrated the essence of their importance. Unlike the other artists who depicted the revolution, Reyes’ murals showed the unfortunate but somewhat inevitable side of the revolution.…
Diego Rivera artwork depicts the struggle of Mexican , indigenous Mexicans life , and mixed-race people. Both made a great impact during the Mexican revolution movement. Both Rivera and Orozco mural painting motif was to show human suffering within their art. Nowadays artist have been very inspire to be involve in politics; they are supporting humanities within their roles . The protest sign are combine with image and slogan.…
Alma Lopez is a visual and public Chicana artist who was born in Mexico and raised in Los Angeles, California. Lopez received her Bachelors degree in fine arts from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1988 and her Master’s of Fine Arts (MFA) from the University of California, Irvine in 1996. Her work is based on a mixture of paintings, murals, prints, digital, installations and graphic prints. Alma Lopez incorporates the historical and cultural Mexican figures, such as the Virgin of Guadalupe, that is meant to empower women and native Mexicans by reclaiming the important roles and hardships Mexican women played throughout history. Alma Lopez art pieces are showcased in museums, galleries, universities and community centers. Furthermore,…
Frida Kahlo De Rivera (1907- 1954), was a Mexican artist whose works “were strongly linked with her own life experiences, whilst also relating to world events, politics and the wider art world.” Kahlo is best known for her self-portraits, they demonstrate her need for self-expression and her exploration of identity. Although her physical features and eccentric costumes are striking and eye-catching, it is her internal life that explodes beyond the canvas. Kahlo’s unique portrait style jumps straight to the art of profoundly felt passions and sorrows. “Juxtaposing the familiar with the strange, marrying naturalistic depiction with bizarre symbolism, Kahlo is able to convince us…
The piece by Castillo is a personal reflection that offers a peculiar and particular point of view from one person, and that represents how people permeates their surrounding reality, in this case the Mexican Revolution. These kinds of sources are extremely valuable in order to listen to the average voices. Especially in the case of underprivileged groups, such as indigenous populations and women, sometimes this is the only opportunity to grasp intimate daily moments, practices, and customs.…
Rodolfo Corky Gonzales was the extraordinary author that wrote the famous poem of “I am Joaquin/ Yo Soy Joaquin”. He was a professional boxer, poet, activist and was the founder of the Crusade for Justice which was an important movement for justice and equality in the Mexican American Community in the 1960’s. For years Rodolfo fought and led protest for chicano unity and was an advocate for racism in the states and also police brutality. However, the thing that impacted the Mexican American community the most is his “I am Joaquin” poem because it brought light into a community that till this point wasn’t recognized for being chicano. Several poems revolving around the hardships of Mexican Americans in the United States had been made prior…
During my visit to Plaza Olvera, I discovered much information that before, I never really bothered to pay attention to. La Placita Olvera a colorful Mexican marketplace who attracts millions of visitors. Besides its restaurants and crafts shops, Plaza Olvera also is famous for hosting traditional events like the blessing of the Animals, Cinco de Mayo, Fiestas Patrias, Dia de Los Muertos, and Las Posadas. On my visit to the Placita Olvera I also discovered Avila Adobe, this house was built in 1818 by Francisco Jose Avila. Francisco Avila was a Californio and wealthy cattle rancher. The Avila Adobe interior depicts the California lifestyle of the 1840s. Dark wood tables, four-poster beds, candelabras and elaborate carpets. Moving forward to…
The Miracle In The Andes is a novel by Nando Parrado, and it is a real story happened in the 13th of the October in 1972. The novel talking about the Fairchild, an Uruguayan plane crashed in the Andes. The passengers on the plane were 45, and many of them were from the Old Christian rugby team include some of their family members. In the crash 40 members had survived from 45, and by the time they spend it on the Andes the number had reduced to 16. The novel also talking about the horrors they faced on the mountain like the cold, the lack of food and water, nevertheless; they experienced the death of their friends and family members. They learned many treks to keep them alive on the Andes, they learned how to stay warm, they melted the snow to drink and they ate the dead bodies flesh to survive from starvation. They tried desperately to climb the mountain, but their attempt failed. Nando Parrado did not want to die on the Andes like one of his friends, so he decided to climb. Even though he was afraid to face the Andes, but he made his destination to the west. Ten days after all the horrors, he and with two of his teammate found their way into the mountains. After they arrived home, Nando back to his normal life again, and he attained the promise that he made to himself that he will meet his father again, and he will enumerate how his Mom and Susy died on the Andes.…
Born in the capital city of Mexico on September 18, 1890 Jose Tomas De Cuellar was one of colonial Latin America's polarizing figures and from one Mexico's wealthy families. He attended college at the military college of Chapultepec. Later he entered the Academy of San Carlos after taking part in the defense of the castle before the United States invasion on September 13, 1847. He went on to become secretary of the Mexican legislation in Washington D.C. and was secretary of foreign affairs. He gained note ability in 1848 for his essay "Duty and Sacrifices" in both Mexico and Madrid. But, he is most notably known for his skills as an observer and being a master illustrator in writing in his genre and because of the telling of humorous stories to make fun of the society he was living in.1 The Magic Lantern is but a small part of his repertoire , but is an excellent glimpse back into a culture that is long gone but still influencing its people today.…
Many people face pain and hardships throughout life and learn to accept reality using courage and strength. In the “Long Way Home” an excerpt from Miracle in the Andes, Nando Parrado faces many hardships. In the beginning of the novel Nando is heartbroken due to the fact that his plane has crashed in the Andes Mountains, and that many people including his best friends, and his mother, and sister have died. His thoughts haunt him, telling him to survive, and not “waste tears”, as they will be needed for his survival. Nando remembers his father and his heart fills with joy; he imagines how is father must be feeling, after hearing the news of the crash. He quietly whispers to his father “I am alive”. Nando describes the mountains being very strong and powerful, and lacking warmth. Nando vows to his father that he will ‘come home”, no matter how long it takes, and how worse the conditions become. Nando faces many difficulties as the story progresses, but his promise to his father gives him courage and strength to keep on going instead of giving up. “We all knew our fight for survival would be uglier and more harrowing than we had imagines, but we had made the declaration to the mountain that we would not surrender. In a small, sad way, I had taken a first step back toward my father.” Throughout the excerpt conditions worsen, many more of Nando’s friends die, and the food becomes scarce. With courage and strength, Nando decides that he must climb the mountain to save himself and reach home to his father. He takes a few friends with him for the journey. Along the way, he faces many hardships, but his determination and courage help him reach his goal. One day, Nando realizes that their pilot was wrong, and gave them incorrect information of “passing Curico”. As soon as he learns that his hopes shatter. In his thoughts he begins to think and realize that death has an opposite, which is love. As soon as he realizes this his fear of death “lifts”. “My fears lifted, and I…
Albert Bierstadt was one of the greatest landscape artists in history (Albert Bierstadt). His naturalistic landscape scenes of the unsettled American West brought about the need to preserve the land; in 1872, the United States Congress passed the Yellowstone Park Bill therefore creating the first national park in the world (Sierra Nevada). One of Albert Bierstadt more iconic paintings is titled Sierra Nevada, it was painted around the year 1872. He uses different lines, shows incredible texture, impeccable depth, stunning colors and design in his painting the Sierra Nevada.…
Wadham, Tim. "A TASTE OF Latino Culture." School Library Journal 3p 58.9 (2012): 55-56. Print.…