Sorry for my lack of commitment to being on top of these blogs! Everything has just been culminating at the same time and I've been neglecting one thing or the other. But no excuses!
Workshop @ LKC:
I think it's been said that you can never stop learning something new about a familiar subject, no matter how many times you encounter it. I can surely say that about the workshop at LKC. I'm quite familiar with LKC because of tutoring for LFS and because of PYC and every time I leave that place, I always get something new out of that. Sure, I've learned about what went down in the 1960's, but there's always another side that isn't told. I think some things that were very new to me, even though they were taught to me during my high school duration, were Watergate and the Red Scare, I believe. I wasn't every fond about history at the time, so any dates or any historical information that was probably given to me didn't register too well when I first heard it, so in a way, I (re)learned something new.
Arts&Activism:
I think I get the point about art being political. Looking back on it now, I used to write for myself, to get my emotions out there, and now looking at recent poetry I've written, I realize some of it was political in some way. One piece I wrote was called "Prop H8" in regards to the passing of Prop 8. The message was very clear in my poem that I thought it was clearly illogical for people to pose that and use campaigns to influence the people into thinking that same sex marriage was actually going to do some harm to everyone. Bullshit. I really believe that people took too much into context and never stopped to look at the present. For example, one thing that I thought was very stupid, and I mean very stupid, was the reasoning that schools would have to teach about same sex marriage once Prop 8 fails. For one thing, the California Education Code already states that they have to teach it already. I can talk more about this later, but I have to continue with talking about the workshop before I stray away. Art is a form of expression, but also a tool for us to relay a message to everyone without the use of straightforward words. People draw, people paint, they sing, they dance, they photograph, etc. Everything counts as an art, and I think that people can use it to their advantage to get a message across.
Imperialism&Globalization:
I didn't get to mention this previously during the workshop, but I remember clearly we started talking about how the these past issues continue to haunt us in the present time. When I passed on my turn to go, I was actually thinking about my parents in Las Vegas. Times have gotten rough and my parents are without a job. My sister informed me a couple weeks back, maybe even a month ago, that my dad was really up to his head in stress and even mentioned to my sister that he's thinking about killing himself. This really hurts me, and in all honesty, I really don't know what to do. Heart and mind conflict so much with each other that I can't/don't want to think about them right now because I'm trying to do what they wanted me to do, but at the same time I need to be there for my family and be their support as much as they are mine, or more. It's just too difficult to process so many things in what's going on that if I lose focus on what I was set out to do, I won't be able to get back on that track. Imperialism & Globalization has gotten the best of everyone and I'm honestly doing my best to balance things out so that no one loses sanity because of it.
I love putting videos of choirs because I want people to appreciate a different side of music that you can't emulate with beats and a voice. I'm giving you three videos (three to make up for the fact that I have to make up three blogs) that I thought were very amazing to listen to.
I personally love this last piece because it's a very hopeful song. It's really beautiful and if you listen to the lyrics, it's really deep.
There Will Be Rest
There will be rest and sure stars shining,
Over the rooftops, crowned with snow.
A reign of rest, serene, forgetting.
The music of stillness, holy and low.
I will make this world of my devising on top of dreams,
In my lonely mind, I shall find the crystal of peace.
Stars.. Stars I shall find..
With that, I hope you all have a great week,
--Kace Face.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
POST UP!
Whats good guys,
Tonight, I lost another intramural basketball game which makes the team I'm part of 1-5 (1 win, 5 loses), which sucks, but there's always the next semester. I'm sorry for venting the loss on an educational blog, but DAMN we suck. With all that aside here goes my entry.
Last weeks ED got me thinking about my family and why they came to the states. Besides having more oppurtunity, I wondered why the Phils was struggling when my family was there. Theres plenty of resources and the Phils has the highest import need for rice!? I also thought about the corrupt government, poverty, the economy, man just thinking about the Philippines gets me more excited for the next meeting, but in a good way. I have not been to the PI yet and I can't wait to go there and visit my fathers side. I haven't met any relatives from his side and I'm looking foward to that day. I've always adimired my parents for working hard and barely taking any vacations since I've been alive. I always wondered why we barely went on vacations and now I know why.
The activity was fun, we had to artistically represent our fight as the belly of the beast. One group drew a picture, another recited some poetry and the group I was part of "moved" our representation of our fight. I loved everyones presentation, from the beautifully drawn manbearpig, to the five man Chocolate Rain Ensemble and of course the "belly of the beast" movement technique. Each holds a special place in the brain of mine.
One of my inspirations,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzgZPrudKKg
The new guy,
Ruben
Tonight, I lost another intramural basketball game which makes the team I'm part of 1-5 (1 win, 5 loses), which sucks, but there's always the next semester. I'm sorry for venting the loss on an educational blog, but DAMN we suck. With all that aside here goes my entry.
Last weeks ED got me thinking about my family and why they came to the states. Besides having more oppurtunity, I wondered why the Phils was struggling when my family was there. Theres plenty of resources and the Phils has the highest import need for rice!? I also thought about the corrupt government, poverty, the economy, man just thinking about the Philippines gets me more excited for the next meeting, but in a good way. I have not been to the PI yet and I can't wait to go there and visit my fathers side. I haven't met any relatives from his side and I'm looking foward to that day. I've always adimired my parents for working hard and barely taking any vacations since I've been alive. I always wondered why we barely went on vacations and now I know why.
The activity was fun, we had to artistically represent our fight as the belly of the beast. One group drew a picture, another recited some poetry and the group I was part of "moved" our representation of our fight. I loved everyones presentation, from the beautifully drawn manbearpig, to the five man Chocolate Rain Ensemble and of course the "belly of the beast" movement technique. Each holds a special place in the brain of mine.
One of my inspirations,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzgZPrudKKg
The new guy,
Ruben
Saturday, April 11, 2009
"Bag Lady"
Throughout this entire ED my family was constantly on my mind. Imperialism+Globalization does equal bad. It breaks my hurt to think of how my loved ones are struggling in the Philippines. My own blood must question if their going to make it through a single day, week, and month. My dad's side lives in the Bicol and right now things in this area are not good, especially with the issue of the VFA. I fear for their well being everyday. I pray to God that they are able to eat, stay safe, and have the strength to keep fighting. I really enjoyed the part on how the women in the Philippines are being effected by Imperialism and Globalization. One of my cousin's is a prostitute. This is not something she wants to do, but was forced to do. In order for her family to survive she feels she needs to sell her body for money. She is a beautiful, intelligent, and kind spirited person. But her spirit is slowly dying every time she walks out the door and goes to work. So many people are suffering and these people are my family. I wish I could do more to help them because this issue hits close to home. Education is a very important part to this aspect because I believe this is the first step towards change.
I really liked the game we played in the beginning of the ED. It was fun and a really good energizer. I also enjoyed the last activity we did in groups. It was cool to see all the different forms of awareness we used to discuss the topic. I love how we have so many talented Jufranians. Each person's talent was used to relay an important message.
The effects of Imperialism and Globalization on women → Prostitution
~Dedicated to Ate Grace~
“Bag Lady”
She's like a bag lady carrying so much baggage, but Eryka Badu would say “the day has come when all them bags has gotten in her way”
She carries the struggle of her family and people on her shoulders. She keeps on going but the fire in her heart is slowly getting colder.
Walking out of her two bedroom shack that holds 12 people she puts on a smile...she tells her younger siblings she'll only be gone for a little while
She fixes her hair, puts on makeup and holds back her tears knowing the ugliness she is going to face. She's tired of living this life at a slow and painful pace.
Don't cry, don't weep and don't be afraid...make him feel like he's the king of the world...”Hello sir, would u like a good time today?”
Every kiss and every touch is worth a price...don't cry bag lady, remind yourself u need to make it through the night
This is for the family and the food we need to eat, this is for my adings so they have a place to sleep.
To my kuya and ate for you to get the education you deserve, to my nanay and tatay please forgive for the things you have heard.
She's a lady of the night and yes, she knows how to treat a man right. Her make up is smudged and hair messed up...she's so much better than this because she's a diamond in the rough.
She wishes she could lie as if she was happy but she can't hide this hurt inside.
She wants to go home and be far away from this torture...she closes her eyes and says, “Would you like to know what I'm like in bed?”
She's screaming on the inside and calling for help, this is her life, this is how the card's were dealt.
She's the bag lady with all the baggage that's hurting her back, whatever she does she feels there is no way for her life to be on track
No one ever told her the one thing you must hold onto is yourself, but sadly she let that go a long time ago.
She wants things to get better and break free from her burden. She has so much potential, she needs to be in school learnin'
There's nothing she can do, there's nothing she can say. She's the bag lady just trying to make her way.
The One and Only,
Kristina Nagales
I really liked the game we played in the beginning of the ED. It was fun and a really good energizer. I also enjoyed the last activity we did in groups. It was cool to see all the different forms of awareness we used to discuss the topic. I love how we have so many talented Jufranians. Each person's talent was used to relay an important message.
The effects of Imperialism and Globalization on women → Prostitution
~Dedicated to Ate Grace~
“Bag Lady”
She's like a bag lady carrying so much baggage, but Eryka Badu would say “the day has come when all them bags has gotten in her way”
She carries the struggle of her family and people on her shoulders. She keeps on going but the fire in her heart is slowly getting colder.
Walking out of her two bedroom shack that holds 12 people she puts on a smile...she tells her younger siblings she'll only be gone for a little while
She fixes her hair, puts on makeup and holds back her tears knowing the ugliness she is going to face. She's tired of living this life at a slow and painful pace.
Don't cry, don't weep and don't be afraid...make him feel like he's the king of the world...”Hello sir, would u like a good time today?”
Every kiss and every touch is worth a price...don't cry bag lady, remind yourself u need to make it through the night
This is for the family and the food we need to eat, this is for my adings so they have a place to sleep.
To my kuya and ate for you to get the education you deserve, to my nanay and tatay please forgive for the things you have heard.
She's a lady of the night and yes, she knows how to treat a man right. Her make up is smudged and hair messed up...she's so much better than this because she's a diamond in the rough.
She wishes she could lie as if she was happy but she can't hide this hurt inside.
She wants to go home and be far away from this torture...she closes her eyes and says, “Would you like to know what I'm like in bed?”
She's screaming on the inside and calling for help, this is her life, this is how the card's were dealt.
She's the bag lady with all the baggage that's hurting her back, whatever she does she feels there is no way for her life to be on track
No one ever told her the one thing you must hold onto is yourself, but sadly she let that go a long time ago.
She wants things to get better and break free from her burden. She has so much potential, she needs to be in school learnin'
There's nothing she can do, there's nothing she can say. She's the bag lady just trying to make her way.
The One and Only,
Kristina Nagales
The Message within the Brush Strokes
When I think of art a lot of images come to mind. I think of music, painting, sculpting, dancing, poetry, writing, etc. Art is a very broad topic for me. I have had a strong passion for art ever since I was little. I consider myself to be well rounded in art. My passion for singing began at family parties when I was first introduced to the magic mic. My love for dancing all began when I would dance in front of the mirror in my room when I was in middle school. Writing came to me when I found my self to be sad or upset and I let the pen and paper do all the talking. I did all these things because it was what I wanted to do. Although it may have seemed silly, it was who I was as a person. I found this as a form of self expression of who I am. However; as I got older and entered college, art was being used to express more than who the artist was, but the message behind their work. When I first came to San Francisco State I never thought much of the murals on the outside of the Cesar Chavez student center. But after taking Asian American and Ethnic Studies classes I found out their true meaning, the underlying message. The ED on Art as Activism opened my eyes to things I never payed much attention to. I learned a lot of things when we walked around campus looking at the murals. I saw the detail within the murals, why there were certain images on the murals, and the overall struggle to have these murals put up. I know now when I walk by these works of art to no longer ignore them, but acknowledge the strength within the brush strokes.
Although the ED was very informative, there was a lot of information for me to take in. At some points I was a little confused with the vocabulary and found myself lost. I think a delta for this ED would be to thoroughly go into the definitions making it more tangible for others to understand. However; with the amount of information that was taught to us I was able to learn something new. I never knew the deeper context in how art was used. I honestly wish I was talented enough to paint a picture, but for now I use my voice, dancing skills, and writing to create my image for change.
The one and only,
Kristina Nagales
Although the ED was very informative, there was a lot of information for me to take in. At some points I was a little confused with the vocabulary and found myself lost. I think a delta for this ED would be to thoroughly go into the definitions making it more tangible for others to understand. However; with the amount of information that was taught to us I was able to learn something new. I never knew the deeper context in how art was used. I honestly wish I was talented enough to paint a picture, but for now I use my voice, dancing skills, and writing to create my image for change.
The one and only,
Kristina Nagales
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Art is Education
Art is Education
It is the only thing that can be understood throughout a variety of cultures and ethnicities. It spans languages and countries. Art is the essence of creativity and expression of body, mind, and soul. I whole heartedly believe that this workshop was very effective in showing us that art is a huge part of society. Sure, i say i do a lot of art and a lot of creative things, but i have never stepped back and noticed how important it really is. It can be used as a tool to broaden peoples horizons, to educate people, to have society think critically, or even to hinder one's ability into thinking for themselves. Art can be used as good or evil, right or wrong. That is why it is political. It holds power, not just in the physical sense (such as buying a camera) but in a theoretical and deeper sense. It mind fucks you, for a lack of a better term. It can make you do things to better society or to destroy society. It is THAT POWERFUL!
Taking that mural walk was a nice thing to see. Not often do i get to see visual art portrayed in that way. Usually i see art that does not hold any significance toward me, such as the paintings of kings and queens or splattered paint on a white canvas that sold for millions of dollars. But these murals were different. They exuded pride, and thrust change and revolution under the limelight of this campus. it highlights struggle and it highlights heroism. Ofcourse it is wrong for anyone to judge what is "bad" art, but art in the mainstream doesn't necessarily use these techniques. Art in the mainstream doesn't educate like our campus murals do. Art needs to educate in order for change. And in all respect, i believe that this is what art needs nowadays. Even in music, being that that is an art form as well, needs to educate more, rather than stupid shit about goin hyphy on the radio. Truly, if art was more like this, society would have a more open mind.
What i am hopeful for is the spreading of this kind of art. i have taken it upon myself to continue the art i do by portraying it in my music. I want to educate. So quite fittingly, i posted my new track on my website myspace.com/bayarea916. i hope you guys enjoy this track, its been a long time coming. The track is entitled P.R.O.P.A.G.A.N.D.A. and it really challenges you into hinking more critically about what you see and perceive in society and in art as well.
- Ben Paz "The prophet with the knowledge rhymes a lecture with a logic" hahaha i think that's what i said in the 1st cipher. =)
Of Pea-sized Bladders and "Artivistas"
Kapatids,
May I just say that I'm really upset right now, because this is my third attempt to post this entry, and it keeps on malfunctioning! None of it is saved either, so I'd have to start from scratch all over again. UGH technology! I miss it when we all used to turn in notes. Tangible notes.
I apologize for the lateness of this blog. I try to be up to date as much as possible, but it's been really difficult. ESPECIALLY, when your computer keeps failing on you.
Bitter feelings aside, I'll be including 1.) LKC workshop reflection, and 2.) Art in Activism workshop reflection , in this one long and chunky blog.
________________________
LKC in DC.
I'm sorry I was late, and had to hold up the workshop because I had to pee. My bladder was exploding. I really think it would've been cool if we were early...as a matter of fact, we could've done the entire iternship workshop at LKC. That way, we'll save travel time.
So, 1968 is one crazy year. I've had lectures about it from my Ethnic Studies classes, but we didn't go over it in such great detail. For one thing, I didn't know that there were white progressive folks (whose name escapes me right now) who organized with other organizations of color. That, I thought was amazing, and it makes me wonder why there isn't much of that going on today.
I also loved the images from Sergio's powerpoint. They told stories that no words can ever tell. I needed those photographs to inspire me, and remind me why I'm in photojournalism in the first place.
The workshop was such a refresher, and it made me hella want to live in 1968!
I just remember thinking: Man, why aren't we as fired up as they were back then? We have the same issues today with all the budget cats, taxes going to military arms instead of education, the World Bank's greedy ass making poor people even hungrier... Why isn't everyone else as agitated and angry WITH us?
I feel like everyone was more sensitive back in the days. We've all gotten so jaded now because we're at a time when we can enjoy the luxury of having more choices--choices that folks from 1968 helped us claim. Had it not been for them, we wouldn't have such comfort in the first place. I understand that their work doesn't end there either. We owe it to them and our kids to continue the legacy--to develop OUR own legacy today.
Anyway, here's my kultural piece, in dedication to our PRESENT:
Truth by ~FayeYAHEY on deviantART
Because I am NOT about to pay thousands of dollars for MY RIGHT to higher education--and I ain't about to have my kid go through the same agony.
________________________
Artivista is not just Mike Luat's other name...
I believe he shares it with other "artivistas" who use art as their form of activism. Artist + Aktivista = Artivista. Get it? Yes, Mike Luat is the one who rose to fame with that name, but I think it can be shared to many kasamas who do kultural work.
I liked the workshop, but I did feel like it was lacking of visuals. I mean, for an art presentation, it sure didn't have that many images. (I'm an honest kid; just gotta say what I have to say. Hope y'all don't mind.)
I appreciate the thoroughness of the powerpoint, but I wish we'd have actual examples of the art that we went over. Honestly, I still don't know what scientific art is, and I wish we had various examples to help us understand it better.
I also wish that we had kultural artists to come and speak as well. Like Artivista (Mike) for example. Maybe even Jessicka Antonio.
It's really cool to see art as something that's produced by kasamas--folks like us--and not by people who have the money to go to an art class, studying Monet, and sucha sucha.
Art is so much more than validating your work through how much money it makes. It's more than just selling it to bourgeois art connoisseurs who have hella moolah. They'll probably use it for brags in their next house party, too. That takes away from the essence of why you made your art in the first place. If you make art for the money--then what is it REALLY for? Do you still do it to express yourself if you paint for someone by request? Hm.
To me, art can turn a blank canvas into stories of love, pain and struggle. It's a piece of poetry that can amplify even the smallest voice; an ode to those who can't hear; a picture portrait of those who are invisible. You do it because it's your outlet of frustration (or something), not because it's your job.
I still hope we get to do something artsy next workshop! Art really does help us become more vulnerable, and I feel like that's something that can help us get to know each other a little bit better. Maybe it'll help us bond even more.
Anyway, this is my art piece. I couldn't find anything else that was fitting for this entry, so I just chose this:
Antique Belief by ~FayeYAHEY on deviantART
FYI, I'm a self-proclaimed Agnostic, who used to be a devoted Catholic. Well, I was only "devoted" because I was made to feel that I have to. It's like that in the Philippines. I wish I was kidding. =(
Ingat!
Faye from the Bay
May I just say that I'm really upset right now, because this is my third attempt to post this entry, and it keeps on malfunctioning! None of it is saved either, so I'd have to start from scratch all over again. UGH technology! I miss it when we all used to turn in notes. Tangible notes.
I apologize for the lateness of this blog. I try to be up to date as much as possible, but it's been really difficult. ESPECIALLY, when your computer keeps failing on you.
Bitter feelings aside, I'll be including 1.) LKC workshop reflection, and 2.) Art in Activism workshop reflection , in this one long and chunky blog.
________________________
LKC in DC.
I'm sorry I was late, and had to hold up the workshop because I had to pee. My bladder was exploding. I really think it would've been cool if we were early...as a matter of fact, we could've done the entire iternship workshop at LKC. That way, we'll save travel time.
So, 1968 is one crazy year. I've had lectures about it from my Ethnic Studies classes, but we didn't go over it in such great detail. For one thing, I didn't know that there were white progressive folks (whose name escapes me right now) who organized with other organizations of color. That, I thought was amazing, and it makes me wonder why there isn't much of that going on today.
I also loved the images from Sergio's powerpoint. They told stories that no words can ever tell. I needed those photographs to inspire me, and remind me why I'm in photojournalism in the first place.
The workshop was such a refresher, and it made me hella want to live in 1968!
I just remember thinking: Man, why aren't we as fired up as they were back then? We have the same issues today with all the budget cats, taxes going to military arms instead of education, the World Bank's greedy ass making poor people even hungrier... Why isn't everyone else as agitated and angry WITH us?
I feel like everyone was more sensitive back in the days. We've all gotten so jaded now because we're at a time when we can enjoy the luxury of having more choices--choices that folks from 1968 helped us claim. Had it not been for them, we wouldn't have such comfort in the first place. I understand that their work doesn't end there either. We owe it to them and our kids to continue the legacy--to develop OUR own legacy today.
Anyway, here's my kultural piece, in dedication to our PRESENT:
Truth by ~FayeYAHEY on deviantART
Because I am NOT about to pay thousands of dollars for MY RIGHT to higher education--and I ain't about to have my kid go through the same agony.
________________________
Artivista is not just Mike Luat's other name...
I believe he shares it with other "artivistas" who use art as their form of activism. Artist + Aktivista = Artivista. Get it? Yes, Mike Luat is the one who rose to fame with that name, but I think it can be shared to many kasamas who do kultural work.
I liked the workshop, but I did feel like it was lacking of visuals. I mean, for an art presentation, it sure didn't have that many images. (I'm an honest kid; just gotta say what I have to say. Hope y'all don't mind.)
I appreciate the thoroughness of the powerpoint, but I wish we'd have actual examples of the art that we went over. Honestly, I still don't know what scientific art is, and I wish we had various examples to help us understand it better.
I also wish that we had kultural artists to come and speak as well. Like Artivista (Mike) for example. Maybe even Jessicka Antonio.
It's really cool to see art as something that's produced by kasamas--folks like us--and not by people who have the money to go to an art class, studying Monet, and sucha sucha.
Art is so much more than validating your work through how much money it makes. It's more than just selling it to bourgeois art connoisseurs who have hella moolah. They'll probably use it for brags in their next house party, too. That takes away from the essence of why you made your art in the first place. If you make art for the money--then what is it REALLY for? Do you still do it to express yourself if you paint for someone by request? Hm.
To me, art can turn a blank canvas into stories of love, pain and struggle. It's a piece of poetry that can amplify even the smallest voice; an ode to those who can't hear; a picture portrait of those who are invisible. You do it because it's your outlet of frustration (or something), not because it's your job.
I still hope we get to do something artsy next workshop! Art really does help us become more vulnerable, and I feel like that's something that can help us get to know each other a little bit better. Maybe it'll help us bond even more.
Anyway, this is my art piece. I couldn't find anything else that was fitting for this entry, so I just chose this:
Antique Belief by ~FayeYAHEY on deviantART
FYI, I'm a self-proclaimed Agnostic, who used to be a devoted Catholic. Well, I was only "devoted" because I was made to feel that I have to. It's like that in the Philippines. I wish I was kidding. =(
Ingat!
Faye from the Bay
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