During the course of this project I must say I did not find it challenging only because of my previous exposure to Dia De Los Muertos.If there was any aspect that was a little challenging it would probably be the spanish that was worked on in Julio's class. I do believe that it was a fun project to do and to learn more about the history the holiday that I was not aware of. I enjoyed that there was a lot of thought put into the creating of our altars.
I did recieve critque from peers on my altar, and calavera poem. This took place during our critque sessions where we go around and leave helpful, kind, and specific feedback on our products. I did receieve some very helpful advice on how to further improve my altar. For the Calavera Poem I just asked my classmates if there was anything I could do to further improve it.
I believe that I deserve an A on this project because I put in a lot of thought into everything that I could possibly do. I believe that I worked very hard to create a beautiful praise worthy product and succeeded in doing so. I also tried to help out as much as I could during the exhibition with face painting and helping others with little bits of advice on how to make their product even more spectacular.
If I could change one thing about this project it would be some of the methods of how we learned about Dia De Los Muertos. I remember in the beginnings of this project we watched the Book of Life and I think that was really not the right approach to educating the class about the project. I suggest documentaries or doing interviews on what the holiday means to someone who activily celebrates it.
I did recieve critque from peers on my altar, and calavera poem. This took place during our critque sessions where we go around and leave helpful, kind, and specific feedback on our products. I did receieve some very helpful advice on how to further improve my altar. For the Calavera Poem I just asked my classmates if there was anything I could do to further improve it.
I believe that I deserve an A on this project because I put in a lot of thought into everything that I could possibly do. I believe that I worked very hard to create a beautiful praise worthy product and succeeded in doing so. I also tried to help out as much as I could during the exhibition with face painting and helping others with little bits of advice on how to make their product even more spectacular.
If I could change one thing about this project it would be some of the methods of how we learned about Dia De Los Muertos. I remember in the beginnings of this project we watched the Book of Life and I think that was really not the right approach to educating the class about the project. I suggest documentaries or doing interviews on what the holiday means to someone who activily celebrates it.
Nadine Fletcher
Humanities, Howard
10/26/17
Artist Statement
My ofrenda was made for my great grandmother who, I didn’t know very well at all but got to see in her final week of life. If I am being honest I barely knew anything about her, where she lived and her life accomplishments. To me she was the hostess of the christmas eve parties where I would get to see all my cousins, stuff my face with beans and receive pretty nightgowns from my grandfather, one of her many sons. To me she was the owner of all the pretty dolls and the designer of the pretty living room I wandered around during Christmas.
I chose to do honor her this Dia De Los Muertos because she died this past year. I remember maybe a week before she died visiting her in the house I used to think was magic. The last time I was there, I could find no more magic. I can remember her looking at me with confusion until someone would tell her in spanish that I was her great granddaughter here to visit, then she tried to smile and embrace me. Oddly enough I wasn’t sad though, even when she had to be carried out her bed and onto a wheelchair to go outside, I was happy for her to move on. I still am. To me that is what Dia De Los Muertos represents, the joy of our loved ones moving on to be in a better place and to live even in death, so that when they return on this day the living can celebrate them, their life and what they mean to us.
On my ofrenda the main offerings I have chosen for her are tamales, the virgin Mary, and the card I received when at her funeral. I did not know much about her but I did know that she was very religious, her house had more than a few items that displayed her faith. I also included little tamale candies because I have vivid memories of eating many times while celebrating Christmas there.
Humanities, Howard
10/26/17
Artist Statement
My ofrenda was made for my great grandmother who, I didn’t know very well at all but got to see in her final week of life. If I am being honest I barely knew anything about her, where she lived and her life accomplishments. To me she was the hostess of the christmas eve parties where I would get to see all my cousins, stuff my face with beans and receive pretty nightgowns from my grandfather, one of her many sons. To me she was the owner of all the pretty dolls and the designer of the pretty living room I wandered around during Christmas.
I chose to do honor her this Dia De Los Muertos because she died this past year. I remember maybe a week before she died visiting her in the house I used to think was magic. The last time I was there, I could find no more magic. I can remember her looking at me with confusion until someone would tell her in spanish that I was her great granddaughter here to visit, then she tried to smile and embrace me. Oddly enough I wasn’t sad though, even when she had to be carried out her bed and onto a wheelchair to go outside, I was happy for her to move on. I still am. To me that is what Dia De Los Muertos represents, the joy of our loved ones moving on to be in a better place and to live even in death, so that when they return on this day the living can celebrate them, their life and what they mean to us.
On my ofrenda the main offerings I have chosen for her are tamales, the virgin Mary, and the card I received when at her funeral. I did not know much about her but I did know that she was very religious, her house had more than a few items that displayed her faith. I also included little tamale candies because I have vivid memories of eating many times while celebrating Christmas there.