Gregors Room

 

Weekday Blues

A visual response to the short story The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

Materials: White copy paper, Ink (no adhesives)

Dimensions in inches: Largest sculpture measures 6 x 6.25 x 7.5

Statement: The sculpture collection reflects my perception of the short story The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka. When I was reading the story, it came across as very dull and gloomy. I saw a lot of blues and greys and a plain, boring bedroom. This is why I chose to have blues and greys in the bed, rug, and Gregor, and then a plain wood for the bed frame and nightstands. 

In-process photos: 

Figurative Bust Sculptures

 

Longing for Home

Materials: Air-dry clay, wood, ink, sharpie, and paint

Dimensions in inches: left sculpture including base: 4.75 x 8.75 x 6 

                                    right sculpture including base: 8.25 x 7 x 2.5

Statement: The sculptures go together and represent injustices occurring in Cuba due to the communist government. Last summer there were many protests in Cuba promoting freedom. The government arrested, tortured, and killed many of the protesters. The chants being shouted and the words on posters were "Patria y Vida" meaning "homeland and life". It means that Cubans want to stay in their homeland, but they also want to live. It also has a deeper meaning because when Fidel Castro took over and the communist regime started, the popular chant was "Patria o Muerte" meaning homeland or death. The sculpture on the left represents a Cuban citizen. They are wearing a Cuban flag on their back and have the words, Patria y Vida, on their chest. The base represents a wooden raft. Many Cubans fled the country on rafts and lifeboats when Castro took over. The mix of the raft base, flag, and words is representing Cubans' love and longing to be able to stay in their homeland, but knowing if they want to survive and have a better life they will have to leave. The sculpture on the right represents the Cuban government and the communist regime. I chose to have the sculpture on top of a beautiful Havana-style building. In the touristy areas of Cuba, buildings are kept to the best of their abilities and the government officials get to live lavishly. The rest of Cuba, where the citizens are, is crumbling and in horrible conditions due to decades of lack of resources. The height difference shows that the government has power over the citizens and the beautifully painted buildings represent the facade that the government shows the world. It also represents that the government keeps most of the money for themselves and tourists, while its own citizens are dying. I selected this topic and this piece is important to me because my grandfather was born in Cuba and had to flee the country when Castro took over. I have also been able to go to Cuba and witness firsthand the injustices that really happen in the country. 

Research: 

This article gives information and history about how Patria y Vida became the chant for Cuban protests. It explains how the group pictured above released a song about Patria y Vida a few months prior to the heat of the protests.  https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/patria-y-vida-cuba-protests-1196712/

This website goes into great depth about the Cubans who fled the country on rafts. http://balseros.miami.edu

This article discusses how the Cuban government fought back against its own people during the protests. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/28/world/americas/cuba-protests-crackdown-arrests.html

In process images: 

Masking Tape Shoes

 

100 Objects

100 feathers installed in a lampshade 

100 feathers frozen with melting ice crystals remaining

100 feathers installed in a mattress pad

Dinner and a Movie

 

The Divide Between Rich and Poor

Various objects and materials

Inspired by the movie The Hunger Games (2012)

This image represents the strong contrast in the divide between the rich and the poor. On the bottom half of the photo, are dirt, torn clothes, a few grains of rice, and a bobby pin. This is to represent the poor. It shows the worn-out, simple, dirty, and "lack of" that the poor experience.  On the top half of the photo, is chocolate, a pearl hairpin, a red silk dress, and a fatty steak. This is to represent the rich. it shows the luxury, delicacy, expensive, and more than enough type of life that the rich experience. The red liquid in the cup is to represent blood. There is a lot of bloodshed in the movie due to the divide between the rich and poor and to keep the rich rich and keep the poor poor. 

A Few of My Favorite Things Assignment

1.) Vera Bradly Weekender: I bought this bag at a giant outlet sale that I went to with some of my best friends when I was in middle school. The bag not only reminds me of my amazing friends and a great day, but also of all the places and seasons it's been with me through. This bag has been dragged too many sleepovers and weekend getaways. I am a terrible over-packer and this bag has always fit everything and the zipper has never broke after everything I’ve put it through. 

2.) Pair of Sweat Pants: I love to get dressed up and have fun, but at the end of the day you can find me cozied up in a pair of sweatpants. 

3.) Spoolie: I don’t wear makeup often but every day I make sure to brush my eyebrows out so hopefully, they don’t look crazy throughout the day. It’s a simple tool that I bring everywhere with me. 

4.) Hoop Earrings: I love finding fun new earrings, however, my go-to is always gold hoops. Not only do I feel like it accentuates the Hispanic side of me, but it also is a timeless look that goes with any of my outfits whether I’m dressed up or lounging around. 

5.) Photos: I am from Michigan so I live very far from my family, friends, and boyfriend. I have these photos on my desk as a daily reminder of them and it always brings a smile to my face. 

Elements and Principles Assignment

   Vertical Line. Artist: Wang Shu

Verticle Line. Personal Photo taken at the Cape Coast Slave Castle