Arts and Activism Dec 12th, 1017
Final Reflections
Sabina Arias
Firstly I would like to say that I really enjoyed this class. It was a real treat to get to know people from other departments that also have an interest in putting our skills to work around social issues. The main point for me was being able to learn from many great examples of how artists can use their power to create little pockets of justice or embody egalitarian principles and expose them in their practice.
A lot of the times I feel really alienated being in this country. I start to feel like Im loosing my sense of identity and of the things that really mattered to me before I got here. Activism has always been a central part of what I want to devote my life to but its difficult to find ways to incorporate it into one's practice, especially if one's art form is mostly based on technical skills, like jazz studies. But even so, I feel like this class has opened my eyes to the vast possibilities of incorporating social awareness or an activist attitude into my projects and life style.
In learning about the issues pertaining to Cuba-US, I was often times challenged in conversations and just listening to what other people had to say. For me it was especially difficult to talk about these issues because there has been so much polarity surrounding this topic in my own household, and I lived there. My perspective on the matter definitely changed when I heard American's view on it but ultimately what I have come to understand is that the issue is not black and white. Its not about who is right or wrong, its very complex and there is reason and fault on both sides. The point for me is to be able to embrace a multiplicity of perspectives and to be able to live with seemingly contradictory logics.
I also really enjoyed our trip to Tijuana. It was very brave of Evelyn to decide to take all the students there and Im so glad we pulled through with it. When I was sitting at a table with my classmates I had a beautiful moment where I was glad that they got to see a little bit of the other side. And for me too, it was great to learn about Tijuana artists on this trip. Tijuana doesn't have the best reputation and it always seemed like a desolate, far off place. But now I know there are also young artists there interested in creating a culturally rich environment who are taking things into their own hands, and thats a very courageous thing to do.
Over all, this class has enriched my imaginary of the possibilities that await for my own artistic life to have a positive impact. It was very inspiring to constantly be learning about the creative ways that artists from various backgrounds have utilized to create positive alternatives to systematic oppression. I hope that I can keep learning more in the Spring and keep building my network of artist friends to support each other and collaborate, and grow together.
Final Reflections
Sabina Arias
Firstly I would like to say that I really enjoyed this class. It was a real treat to get to know people from other departments that also have an interest in putting our skills to work around social issues. The main point for me was being able to learn from many great examples of how artists can use their power to create little pockets of justice or embody egalitarian principles and expose them in their practice.
A lot of the times I feel really alienated being in this country. I start to feel like Im loosing my sense of identity and of the things that really mattered to me before I got here. Activism has always been a central part of what I want to devote my life to but its difficult to find ways to incorporate it into one's practice, especially if one's art form is mostly based on technical skills, like jazz studies. But even so, I feel like this class has opened my eyes to the vast possibilities of incorporating social awareness or an activist attitude into my projects and life style.
In learning about the issues pertaining to Cuba-US, I was often times challenged in conversations and just listening to what other people had to say. For me it was especially difficult to talk about these issues because there has been so much polarity surrounding this topic in my own household, and I lived there. My perspective on the matter definitely changed when I heard American's view on it but ultimately what I have come to understand is that the issue is not black and white. Its not about who is right or wrong, its very complex and there is reason and fault on both sides. The point for me is to be able to embrace a multiplicity of perspectives and to be able to live with seemingly contradictory logics.
I also really enjoyed our trip to Tijuana. It was very brave of Evelyn to decide to take all the students there and Im so glad we pulled through with it. When I was sitting at a table with my classmates I had a beautiful moment where I was glad that they got to see a little bit of the other side. And for me too, it was great to learn about Tijuana artists on this trip. Tijuana doesn't have the best reputation and it always seemed like a desolate, far off place. But now I know there are also young artists there interested in creating a culturally rich environment who are taking things into their own hands, and thats a very courageous thing to do.
Over all, this class has enriched my imaginary of the possibilities that await for my own artistic life to have a positive impact. It was very inspiring to constantly be learning about the creative ways that artists from various backgrounds have utilized to create positive alternatives to systematic oppression. I hope that I can keep learning more in the Spring and keep building my network of artist friends to support each other and collaborate, and grow together.
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