Labeled Hispanic but Feel...
Exhibition text
Labeled Hispanic but Feel...
Size 23inx36in
Medium Digital Manipulation
November,2018
My digital collage is titled “Labeled Hispanic but feel..” which is based of my feelings of being a Hispanic American and feeling the differences and learning to love the inequalities between both. I took inspiration from the photography movement with artists such Jacob Riis and Eugéne Atget. The medium used to create this piece was Adobe Photoshop CS6. I wanted to invoke the feelings or realizations and appreciations for the differences in lifestyle and culture. All photographs and aspects are mine other then the photos taken by relatives in Mexico.
Size 23inx36in
Medium Digital Manipulation
November,2018
My digital collage is titled “Labeled Hispanic but feel..” which is based of my feelings of being a Hispanic American and feeling the differences and learning to love the inequalities between both. I took inspiration from the photography movement with artists such Jacob Riis and Eugéne Atget. The medium used to create this piece was Adobe Photoshop CS6. I wanted to invoke the feelings or realizations and appreciations for the differences in lifestyle and culture. All photographs and aspects are mine other then the photos taken by relatives in Mexico.
Inspiration
Jacob Riis and Eugéne AtgetDocumentary Photography was my main inspiration towards my Digital collage. I took inspiration from artists/photographers like Jacob Riss and Eugene Atget.
When looking at Atget's work I really wanted to capture the essence of the architecture in the homes as he did in his work. Like in the piece called Glycine (wisteria) Châtillon. Riis used his photography to show the world the way things were. He taught himself that way he could shed light on the slums of NYC. In doing so it made others aware, I feel that that is what I intended my piece to do. The piece is titled Street Arabs in the area of Mulberry street The basis outline of my piece was to extenuate that everyone no matter where they live or what their house looks like is the fact that what makes it beautiful is that they appreciate what they have. I feel that My home in mexico is way different and to some it looks poor and it very well may be but like Riis I want people to see that small house in comparison to my home here in the U.S. Yet keep both clear and beautiful so that they may see them as I do like Atget and his work. Atget, Eugène. Glycine (Wisteria), Châtillon. 1857.
Glycine(Wisteria)Châtillon by Eugéne AtgetSketch 2
This next sketch was more in depth of what I wanted to specifically add like the streets of both sides. My hands or my parents hands. They would be holding food and or currency of both places. I really wanted to symbolize the differences between both sides of myself. It is fortunately very easy to do so. Process,Ideas,Intentions In order to create the perfect collage I wanted to take as many photos as possible. However it was difficult to get the photos of my home in Mexico. The ones I've taken in the past were not the best quality. Resulting in contact my Aunt to assist me. They are always willing to help me and in doing so we spoke over the phone to get the best possible shots despite being in two different places. The main point I wanted was to make people see the differences right off the bat and appreciate the beauty in both as I do.
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Riis , Jacob. Street Arabs in the Area of Mulberry Street . New York , 1890.
Street Arabs in the area of Mulberry Street
Planning/SketchesFirst sketch
This was when the idea first popped into my head. I basically placed out everything that I wanted to incorporate I knew that I wanted to definitely wanted to show case main focal points to draw the attention in. For example the houses food money and possibly people. Sketch 3
I tried to play with variations of the main symbol and focal point the houses. I felt that if I made them in the distance they would lose their purpose. So I made sure to sketch both and ultimately pick the houses in the fore ground as you can see in my collage above. |
Brainstorming Images (click for full image)
I took several shots of the houses in different times because the time difference is two hours. I wanted to make sure it was about the same cast on the houses. I took several shots as well attempting my best to capture a beautiful shot as would Atget but on my I phone.One thing I would have done different is really search for vendors here in Milwaukee. I want to have currency in the background but not overcrowd at the same time.
Process
To create my piece I utilized Adobe Photoshop CS6. To do so I needed to open up and create a blank canvas with the dimensions of 24inx36in with the resolution of !70. Then I mainly used the lasso tool and the quick selection tools to cut and paste my images to the blank canvas further refine the edges and re positioning as I went along.
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Critique
Overall I'm content with the final result of my Collage.There are definitely some aspects that I could change or improve upon. However I feel that I did what I intended to do which was to invoke feelings upon observing the piece as did Jacob Riss with his work. Also in capturing the beauty of the homes as did Eugéne Atget in his photos.
Experimentation
While experimenting I mainly focused on my main focal points the houses and the streets.
The first mock piece included the opposite backgrounds with houses so the american street behind the Mexican house vice versa. The second I tried and had the idea to have the houses further back in the background in the background however it made the house to appear to be floating. I ultimately decided putting the in the foreground with the American street behind the american house vice versa |
Reflections
To be completely honest I dislike Photoshop. My brain just docent grip how to use the tools so I had a lot of trial and error in the process. However I can say that I'm happy with my final outcome it contains all the components from the sketches that I originally intended for. I can say now that I have used Photoshop and I hope that in the future I can become better at manipulating the tools and can learn many more techniques. As far as the piece goes I would like to change the Food portion maybe presenting it on a plate with more variety. I would have liked to add dollar bills and Pesos into the piece however I was not allowed to edit American currency for copy right reasons resulting in the coins only.
Meaning
Labeled Hispanic but feel …
My name is Ana Giselle Melgoza and I am Puerto Rican- Mexican American, I was born here in the United states. My father is from Sonora Mexico and my mother is born and raised in Milwaukee. Growing up Milwaukee is all I’ve ever known, I am labeled Hispanic American. To some people they only see Hispanic and not American. As a Hispanic American, I feel that I experience misconception. To some I am expected to know Spanish but to others I’m not Mexican enough. I don’t personally feel I am able to connect with my nationality I am accustomed to the American lifestyle. So when the time came to visit my Grandpa and family in Mexico I experienced the biggest culture shock.
We arrived in Sonora, Mexico at night tired and exhausted I didn't really have time to take in my surroundings. However the next morning was totally different instead of the traditional American breakfast there was no breakfast. My Grandpa’s fridge only contained an old fish a few eggs and some beans. My family is super nice and really considerate and they did everything they could to make us comfortable. Speaking was sparse for me my Spanish is okay when I’m in the states but in Mexico everyone spoke so fast and it was difficult for both sides to communicate. I don’t think I’ve ever been so quiet in my entire 16 years of living. However being there was a major eye opener I felt that here I take things for granted. In Sonora kids have no mall no movie theater no bowling alley there is literally nothing but stray dogs and dirt roads. Even if they did have those common luxury's not everyone has money for those things, the majority can’t even feed their children. People make do with what they have, you can’t miss something you’ve never had. However for that whole week I saw kids selling candies on the street just trying to make whatever they could, men who walk far distances selling popsicles or snacks whatever they can. Here in the United States we have people who sit and ask for money not even trying .
I feel that here we take things for granted from the food we eat to the homes we live in. The house I live in here, I have no idea who built it or when it was made. However in Mexico my grandfather has built not only his house but all the houses that belong to all four of his children including my father. They aren’t luxury houses just what is necessary of course they aren’t huts they have plumbing and furniture however it’s so far from what houses are like here from what my house is like. As for food here we eat not just when were hungry but whenever we want because we can. In mexico they only eat maybe one to two meals a day only when hungry and it’s definitely not pizza or burgers.
So in this piece I wanted to simulate the two different parts of me. Where I come from. I want people to look at the piece and appreciate what they have here even if they already do. Don’t take things for granted and be proud of where you come from. I am proud of both countries. Even if it’s hard to connect with them sometimes.
My name is Ana Giselle Melgoza and I am Puerto Rican- Mexican American, I was born here in the United states. My father is from Sonora Mexico and my mother is born and raised in Milwaukee. Growing up Milwaukee is all I’ve ever known, I am labeled Hispanic American. To some people they only see Hispanic and not American. As a Hispanic American, I feel that I experience misconception. To some I am expected to know Spanish but to others I’m not Mexican enough. I don’t personally feel I am able to connect with my nationality I am accustomed to the American lifestyle. So when the time came to visit my Grandpa and family in Mexico I experienced the biggest culture shock.
We arrived in Sonora, Mexico at night tired and exhausted I didn't really have time to take in my surroundings. However the next morning was totally different instead of the traditional American breakfast there was no breakfast. My Grandpa’s fridge only contained an old fish a few eggs and some beans. My family is super nice and really considerate and they did everything they could to make us comfortable. Speaking was sparse for me my Spanish is okay when I’m in the states but in Mexico everyone spoke so fast and it was difficult for both sides to communicate. I don’t think I’ve ever been so quiet in my entire 16 years of living. However being there was a major eye opener I felt that here I take things for granted. In Sonora kids have no mall no movie theater no bowling alley there is literally nothing but stray dogs and dirt roads. Even if they did have those common luxury's not everyone has money for those things, the majority can’t even feed their children. People make do with what they have, you can’t miss something you’ve never had. However for that whole week I saw kids selling candies on the street just trying to make whatever they could, men who walk far distances selling popsicles or snacks whatever they can. Here in the United States we have people who sit and ask for money not even trying .
I feel that here we take things for granted from the food we eat to the homes we live in. The house I live in here, I have no idea who built it or when it was made. However in Mexico my grandfather has built not only his house but all the houses that belong to all four of his children including my father. They aren’t luxury houses just what is necessary of course they aren’t huts they have plumbing and furniture however it’s so far from what houses are like here from what my house is like. As for food here we eat not just when were hungry but whenever we want because we can. In mexico they only eat maybe one to two meals a day only when hungry and it’s definitely not pizza or burgers.
So in this piece I wanted to simulate the two different parts of me. Where I come from. I want people to look at the piece and appreciate what they have here even if they already do. Don’t take things for granted and be proud of where you come from. I am proud of both countries. Even if it’s hard to connect with them sometimes.
Connection to Act |
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Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and it's effect upon your artwork?
Both my piece and the work of Jacob Riis were meant to make others aware to invoke feeling. Jacob created the collection How the Other Half Lives for a reason and in that I feel I made this piece with the intention to reach people widely.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The research is from art history sophomore year only went so far into these photographers. So upon further research I was able to learn more about how and why he began to do what he did.The way he did it.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas,culture,etc. While you researched your inspiration?
I have learned that many people especially today take things for granted and sort of sweep the problems we face under the rug. So I feel that instilling realization and awareness is important for artists of any generation.
What is the central idea and theme around your inspirational research?
I researched many photographers and I think that both Eugéne and Jacob really stood out to me as far as what I wanted to accomplish with this piece. I intended to use Hispanic photographers like Enrique Metinides who photographed the real true horrors of crime during his time but I felt that I did not want my piece to come off as dark.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
I inferred that anyone can make a difference through creating something that they feel passionate towards and that with enough will power it can make a difference.
Both my piece and the work of Jacob Riis were meant to make others aware to invoke feeling. Jacob created the collection How the Other Half Lives for a reason and in that I feel I made this piece with the intention to reach people widely.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The research is from art history sophomore year only went so far into these photographers. So upon further research I was able to learn more about how and why he began to do what he did.The way he did it.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas,culture,etc. While you researched your inspiration?
I have learned that many people especially today take things for granted and sort of sweep the problems we face under the rug. So I feel that instilling realization and awareness is important for artists of any generation.
What is the central idea and theme around your inspirational research?
I researched many photographers and I think that both Eugéne and Jacob really stood out to me as far as what I wanted to accomplish with this piece. I intended to use Hispanic photographers like Enrique Metinides who photographed the real true horrors of crime during his time but I felt that I did not want my piece to come off as dark.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
I inferred that anyone can make a difference through creating something that they feel passionate towards and that with enough will power it can make a difference.