Yesenia Gonzalez
Initially I had thought of creating a photo backdrop like the ones we find in the old school photo-huts. After brainstorming further, I decided to a little mock gallery installation in my living room. I wanted to make it seem almost as if it was on a wall in a museum the way traditional museums hang framed artwork. It was still my intention to use the concept of the old school photo-hut pictures but this time I would take old pictures of people who had taken these wallet size pictures and place them inside the clear pocket of a binder (this is the style many, including myself, would do it in high school). But then I would place the binder on a frame to honor it well. I would also add traditional articles from the country where my family originated from in order to have a deeper connection to me. Lastly, I wanted to take part in the installation so I would take a picture in front of the work on the wall wearing articles that are personal to me.
The reason I want to make this work is because it is personal for me. Ever since I was a child my mother would take these types of pictures of me at the photo-huts in Los Angeles and as I grew older I realized it was something very special for everyone in the community to do, especially the brown folks. The outfit and accessories I chose to wear were chosen for this project because they are a mix of who I am now with a little of what I would dress like before.
This work is important to me because I would like for others to understand that many of the things we do, from the way we dress to the pictures we take and the poses we use are more meaningful than they think. I have recently seen white people taking these type of photo-hut airbrushed background pictures and sometimes the things they wear for these pictures almost seem like they are simply photo props to them and nothing more. This is personal and people need to understand that this is actually part of our culture.
The materials I used include pictures, three ring binders, poster boards, picture frames, hand-crafted masks from Guatemala, Mayan fabric patterns, and jewelry.
Most of the help I will require involve the hanging and positioning of the frames.
This work will more than likely stay up permanently in my home since it is in my living room. However, I also plan to share it on social media and will be there permanently.
I chose to wear the Berkeley sweater because when I go to school I am not really interested in standing out yet and wearing that sweater makes me feel like I belong. Yet, I there is more to me and my real identity is the brown girl with the gold necklace and a name plate in Old English letters and the big hoop earrings. I am proud of who I am and I want it to be known that I am a proud Latina from Los Angeles at the UC Berkeley.
I think if this project could bring a sense of representation for other students like myself. It could also make others feel more visible on campus. When I see art online by other Latinas or involving Latinas I feel seen and represented.
The reason I want to make this work is because it is personal for me. Ever since I was a child my mother would take these types of pictures of me at the photo-huts in Los Angeles and as I grew older I realized it was something very special for everyone in the community to do, especially the brown folks. The outfit and accessories I chose to wear were chosen for this project because they are a mix of who I am now with a little of what I would dress like before.
This work is important to me because I would like for others to understand that many of the things we do, from the way we dress to the pictures we take and the poses we use are more meaningful than they think. I have recently seen white people taking these type of photo-hut airbrushed background pictures and sometimes the things they wear for these pictures almost seem like they are simply photo props to them and nothing more. This is personal and people need to understand that this is actually part of our culture.
The materials I used include pictures, three ring binders, poster boards, picture frames, hand-crafted masks from Guatemala, Mayan fabric patterns, and jewelry.
Most of the help I will require involve the hanging and positioning of the frames.
This work will more than likely stay up permanently in my home since it is in my living room. However, I also plan to share it on social media and will be there permanently.
I chose to wear the Berkeley sweater because when I go to school I am not really interested in standing out yet and wearing that sweater makes me feel like I belong. Yet, I there is more to me and my real identity is the brown girl with the gold necklace and a name plate in Old English letters and the big hoop earrings. I am proud of who I am and I want it to be known that I am a proud Latina from Los Angeles at the UC Berkeley.
I think if this project could bring a sense of representation for other students like myself. It could also make others feel more visible on campus. When I see art online by other Latinas or involving Latinas I feel seen and represented.
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