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?

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.

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

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.

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

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.