Saturday, December 6, 2008

Day of the Dead exhibit at Oakland Museum Sunday 11/16/2008


My first impression of the Oakland Museum was bad. This was probably because of the current renovations and the uninviting entry, but after the warm welcome and fantastic exhibits my first impression was forgotten and I did not remember it till now.
There are many museums that offer free entry on certain days of the month and unfortunately I did not coordinate the day correctly and paid the student fee plus the fee of my family. If I would have gone on the second Sunday of the month the admission would have been free.
Upon entry to the Dia De Los Muertos exhibit I felt I had already been there before. I have seen papel picado many times but had never seen the tools used to create it. I was impressed with the look and feel of the exhibit’s entry. The item that really made me feel that I had already been there before was the pictures of a place I have visited before. On many trips to Mexico my parents took me to a small island in Michoacan called Patzcuaro.
I never knew that Patzcuaro had one of largest events to celebrate the Dia De Los Muertos till now. I plan on returning to this small island one day to witness this event. I could tell you all about my experience when I did go but there a few things you should know if you go; take comfortable shoes, you might fall off the boat when getting there, you should like sea food, bring money for souvenirs, and be careful with the native speaking children, they tell you a poem in their language and if you don’t give them some money they become rude.

The exhibit was compiled of many styles and examples of alters and expressions of what day of the dead means to the artist(s). The main area was one of my favorite part of the show. The graphics were modern and yet felt traditional. The images were common items but had a ragged edge that sculpted the forms to resemble a Mexican rustic feel. There were many small alters on each wall and one of them that stood out the most to me was the flying skeleton puppet.
It was very simple and felt very balanced. The light was contained inside a box and helped the small figure standout. The piece my family liked the most was an image of a pregnant women and the floating fetus. It depicted a scene of loss. The lady is pregnant and sad and the fetus is in harmony and maybe in heaven. When we studied the piece we held each other and thanked God for blessing us with a wonderful baby girl.
The mural that really hit home was the scene of a man walking with the dead. On the special day of the dead many faithful individuals probably feel that they are walking with their deceased loved ones again. The pain, misery, and sleepless nights make morning people believe that there lost ones are still there with them at sometimes it helps their healing.
We left the exhibit feeling that we missed something and agreed that we would go again next year. Next time we will go on a free day and have enough money to buy something from the gift store.
I really appreciated the time and effort everyone put into making this exhibit come to life.
=js

Sunday, November 23, 2008

History of the dead

I have learned a lot about how Mesoamerican cultures honor, grieved, acknowledge, and care for the dead. Sometimes a major architectural structure within the city is built especially for their passing and magnificent sculptures, murals, and days are created to honor them (just like today). The Maya did not want their people to die. They cherished the living and also cared for the dead. I grew up in a family that always grieved deeply and we constantly remember our dead. I visit my friends, my family, and remember the pets I loved and will never be forgotten. There will be a time when I/we will be considered ancestors and my question to "you" is; will the civilizations of the future continue this long tradition of acknowledging the dead? Will one day everyone not care for the dead? We find out a lot about a culture by the way they treat their dead. We will be ancestors one day and students will study our rituals and beliefs. Will their way of disposing of the dead be more efficient, affordable, and the current way? With today's technologies will everyone begin to create "now that I am gone" movies?

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Undirect Blog


I am not a big hair person. I don't spend more than 5mins in front of a mirror styling my hair. I am losing some of my hair and tiny pieces are going grey. What I am trying to say is that I am noticing that many mesoamerican images have exquisite hair ornaments and that their hair or area above their eyes was a pallet to help recognize and distinguish a persons identity or social status.

Each headdress looked one of a kind, and their incredible height, weight, and maintenance must have been very important to them.

I have seen folkloric dansantes recreate head dresses with green feathers but they don't really represent the images I am finding in the text book.

One movie that stands out to me as being a good representation is Apocalypto by Mel Gibson. There are many costumes that are more believable.


Mesoamericans didn't have all the luxuries we have today to express our individual style so I can see how they would spend so much time in their hair as being one of there more important personal identifications.





Tuesday, November 4, 2008

My baby was born 11/01/2008

Her name is Kalyse Marley Silva and she is my first.
I am really happy and really overwhelmed. Below are some pictures for your perusal.

I have been staying at the hospital and have not had access to the web till this morning. I have a lot to say about my experience and will post it soon.
take care, Jose Silva







Monday, October 27, 2008

Learning how to use this blog

Hey everyone I have set up my blog's settings to send me an emails when someone posts a comment. Whoohooo!
If you need help or just need to ask a question please feel free to post a comment on the Student Lounge.
take care.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

BLOG#5 - UNDIRECT - "Teotihuacan"

Wow! I knew this class was going to fasinate me and have my mind explore and admire my/our ancestors more and more.
Teotihuacan - "The place of those who have the road to the gods"
This city is very powerful. It planned by someone or a group of individuals who wanted to do it right the first time around.
Each road was a direct path to the four points of life. The book describes that miles away the structures still abide by the paths of these roads. The four directs of the world were known and worshiped.
"...as if humans sought to place their works in perfect harmony with the landscape." (Awesome)
Teotihuacanos created pyramids that were considered the 'tallest and largest structures in N. America until the twentieth century'. This statement really makes me wonder why my history teachers never taught me/us about this amazing civilization.

I like it when individuals begin to decipher placements of structures and objects in someone's masterpiece.

Teotihuacan can hold more secrets and knowledge of our univers than we can imagine. The image above is someone's theory but might be possible.


.js

Sunday, October 5, 2008

UNDIRECT BLOG#1






Olmec precious green stone human figure. The detail is perfect and the features on the figure are awesome. There are probably many more like this but might still be under ground or in a private collection somewhere.




This figure is funny and shows movement and a realistic siting position. Eyes are slanted and hands are detailed. Could be an important shaman or chef.

Chrystal skulls were found near Mayan ruins that seem to be from another world. Human hands could not have sculpted this dense material and the tools they used were way to primitive to make such detail. There are many mysteries and artifacts that I would like to study more about.




Frida is my Hero!




Frida never knew how much of an impact she would be on women/men and how much her paintings will change peoples attitudes on life. She suffered unimaginable pain, heart break, and critisism and lucky for us she chose to express herself by painting her life, her dreams, and her anguish.



Not sure if Frida had a nice house in the States, not sure if she drove a Mercedes Benz, but I do know she had a talent that did not hide anything do to shame or critisism. She perfectly described many things that artists and people could relate to. She described pain, feelings of hopelessness, and depicted the people she loved.


I am not sure how she persisted on painting things that brought her so much pain and sorrow.



Frida was very beautiful. Although she is not considered "pretty" in our society I consider her to be a very beautiful person all around. She was lucky in life to have found and loved one of the worlds best Muralist and in him found a little bit of hope.



Diego and Frida a combination with the likes of Paul McCarny & John Lennon.








Sunday, September 14, 2008

MEXICO


1. My mom
My mom is Mexico. She was born and raised in Chamacuaro Guanajuato, and I feel like I am in Mexico everytime I visit her. Her warm heart, history, house, great food, and wonderful laugh represents Mexico.
2. Recorded History
It took many years to create Mexico and it will take many more to get it back to what it used to be. There are many recorded stories of Mexico's history that I want to know about.
3. SueƱo de una tarde dominical en la alameda - Diego Rivera
Diego Rivera is one of the first artists in America that was able to show everyone the wonderful images of Mexico's past. His murals tell stories of the life of Mexico and have influenced many other artists to do the same. This mural is one of my favorites because it places many of Mexico's founding fathers, workers, people, wealthy, and hints at death and Aztec Gods. Mexico can not be explained in five images but this is one that helps explain it's people.

4. MMMMMMMmmmmmMEXICOooo.......
I love me some mexican food!
5. Chavelas

One thing that I love more than mexican food is mexican beer, and when you combine the two I am a happy camper.

(Mexico can not be represented by images)


5 images that paint a picture of me...

1. "El Ojo De Dios"
The eye that never sleeps. I dont get enough sleep but one day I will. This piece is very powerful and reflects balance and harmony. It would be something that I would allow to be tattooed onto my skin. The aztec accents in the background reminds me that the images of my ancestors easily blend with the geometry of this world. I will incorporate this style into motifs on buildings that I will hopefully sculpt/build


2. "La Mano De Dios"

"The Hand of God" is a piece I created after my good friend and his wife past. The picture was taken after a pause away from drawing it. I got an idea of having a hand slam down from heaven and needed to come up with what a hand looks like and took a photo of my own hand and then printed it and placed on the drawing to have a good idea on what I wanted it to look like. The hand from the sky is not taking from earth but is slamming energy into the sky. It was and assignment for one of my Architecture courses that required a self potrait. (I am the tree)

3. "Dia De Los Muertos"


"La chanclada" I love music and dance. Rythm is one of the many gifts that we have and I like to share my good times with anyone. Outdoor events mixed with music is where I want to be. I also appreciate how music is becoming a larger part of America again. Mp3s, Palladia, Music Festival, and the internet, is allowing music to be born again.


4. The King Of Reggae

"Bob" has influenced my life and my soul. Good messages in music is what I like to hear and he and his producers have ultimately made it sound awesome. There and many other bands that I adore but Bob is a person that everyone can recognize.


4. Better World

"What can I do for my earth" Life would have ment nothing to me if I did not try to improve it somehow. We need to design for the future and learn from our ancestors. The world is evolving and I would like to be part of the group that sees the future and plans for it.

(me)

Wednesday, September 10, 2008