Cultural Connections: Dia De Los Muertos
Amelia Earhart Ofrenda Artist Statement
Amelia Earhart is a powerful woman figure in American society. Amelia Earhart was born on July 24, 1897 and died in 1935, so they assume. There are many theories, but the most common theory is that she died in a plane crash while flying over atlantic waters. On my ofrenda I honor her through different symbols that represent her life's journey. For example, the bold letters and numbers, NR-7952, is the name of Amelia Earhart's plane. Also the entire ofrenda is red with gold streaks to model the exterior of her plane. On the top of the ofrenda is an Amelia Earhart quote, “A single act of kindness throws roots in all directions and the roots spring up and make new trees.” I chose to include this quote because I feel it represent Amelia Earhart's personality. Moving on into the inside of the ofrenda, the background of the ofrenda is a rustic map to bring the feeling of travels to all aspects of the ofrenda. In the bottom left corner there are old fashioned suitcases that represent Amelia’s love to travel and adventure. In the bottom right corner there is a compass that represents the four directions of the earth and all the opportunities that Amelia made for herself. The center of the ofrenda has an ocean with a plane flying over it in front of three pictures of Amelia Earhart. This represents how Amelia was the first woman to fly solo across Atlantic ocean. Hanging above is flowers, a sun, snowflake, and a leaf that represent the four seasons and how even through easy and rough weather Amelia always had courage and fought for her dreams. To the right of the seasons is a red plane to resemble her plane and her flight to take her place in the clouds. Finally the top level has both sides of the earth to represent all the new places she would discover through flight. Amelia broke all stereotypes that held her prisoner and achieved her dreams in a “man’s world.” Amelia Earhart is a women figure who will be remembered now and in the time to come.
Reflection
How challenging was this project for you? Be specific.
The Cultural Connections: Dia De Los Muertos project was challenging. I think the most challenging part of the project was figuring out who I wanted to represent through my shoe box ofrenda. I settled this problem by looking at people I look up to. At first I was going to do a group/type of people, powerful women in history. Later on I decided to be a lot more specific, so I choose Amelia Earhart. It was difficult to come to this consensus, but after some time had passed I decided I would represent Amelia Earhart through the shoe box ofrenda I was creating. Another challenge I faced was what exactly to put inside the box. At this point of the project I had already designed the outside of the box. Amelia literally lived in the clouds, had courage beyond belief, and was not going to let a “man’s world” get in her way of achieving her dreams. How was I going to represent her traits? Eventually, I decided to make objects that visually represent her passion, but also has a deeper meaning that represented her personality.
What did you enjoy most about this Cultural Connections project?
I really enjoyed the entire Cultural Connections project, but I liked learning about a different culture the most. I have always found interest in culture. So when our teacher first launched this project I was excited to learn about a specific part of Latin American culture I had not known about before. This allowed me to make a new insights and perspectives. While learning about Di De Los Muertos I wondered about how other cultures celebrate or remember the dead. This project made me want to learn more which was my favorite part of the project.
Did you receive critique and feedback from anyone? If so, who? Was the feedback helpful?
I received feedback from my classmates and my mother. To be more specific I asked my classmates Sophia Morrison, Angeline Santa Romana, and Madison Perales for critique. All the feedback given was super helpful and helped me to capture Amelia Earhart’s spirit within my ofrenda. I asked my mother for feedback because I wanted and a new perspective, someone from the outside looking in. This allowed me to make my messages clear and get new ideas to include within my ofrenda. Overall all the feedback given was helpful and allowed me to make my ofenda the best it could be.
What grade do you think you deserve? Why?
I feel I deserve an A+ for the Cultural Connections project. I believe I deserve this grade because I put a lot my effort into this project. For example, I always stayed on task during class periods and even took my ofrenda home every day to add more finishing touches. I also tried to connect to the content we were learning so that I could get a better and deeper understanding. One of the ways I accomplished this way by taking on the challenge option by incorporating Aztec culture into my ofrenda. Overall I feel I deserve an A+ because I put a lot of effort into this project and feel I have grown and developed more connections to surrounding cultures.
If you could change something about this project, what would it be?
If I could change something in this project I would most likely change the incorporation of the four season and four directions of the earth. I would not make major changes, but if I had the chance I would definitely improve my ofrenda by making simple changes to these areas. I would change the incorporation of the four seasons by adding in flying cloths for each season instead of major symbols for each season (snowflake, leaf, flower, sun). To modify the incorporation of the four directions of the earth I would change the paper/cardboard compass into a real working compass. These are just simple and small changes, but I feel that these changes would improve my ofrenda. I am still very proud of the product accomplished.
The Cultural Connections: Dia De Los Muertos project was challenging. I think the most challenging part of the project was figuring out who I wanted to represent through my shoe box ofrenda. I settled this problem by looking at people I look up to. At first I was going to do a group/type of people, powerful women in history. Later on I decided to be a lot more specific, so I choose Amelia Earhart. It was difficult to come to this consensus, but after some time had passed I decided I would represent Amelia Earhart through the shoe box ofrenda I was creating. Another challenge I faced was what exactly to put inside the box. At this point of the project I had already designed the outside of the box. Amelia literally lived in the clouds, had courage beyond belief, and was not going to let a “man’s world” get in her way of achieving her dreams. How was I going to represent her traits? Eventually, I decided to make objects that visually represent her passion, but also has a deeper meaning that represented her personality.
What did you enjoy most about this Cultural Connections project?
I really enjoyed the entire Cultural Connections project, but I liked learning about a different culture the most. I have always found interest in culture. So when our teacher first launched this project I was excited to learn about a specific part of Latin American culture I had not known about before. This allowed me to make a new insights and perspectives. While learning about Di De Los Muertos I wondered about how other cultures celebrate or remember the dead. This project made me want to learn more which was my favorite part of the project.
Did you receive critique and feedback from anyone? If so, who? Was the feedback helpful?
I received feedback from my classmates and my mother. To be more specific I asked my classmates Sophia Morrison, Angeline Santa Romana, and Madison Perales for critique. All the feedback given was super helpful and helped me to capture Amelia Earhart’s spirit within my ofrenda. I asked my mother for feedback because I wanted and a new perspective, someone from the outside looking in. This allowed me to make my messages clear and get new ideas to include within my ofrenda. Overall all the feedback given was helpful and allowed me to make my ofenda the best it could be.
What grade do you think you deserve? Why?
I feel I deserve an A+ for the Cultural Connections project. I believe I deserve this grade because I put a lot my effort into this project. For example, I always stayed on task during class periods and even took my ofrenda home every day to add more finishing touches. I also tried to connect to the content we were learning so that I could get a better and deeper understanding. One of the ways I accomplished this way by taking on the challenge option by incorporating Aztec culture into my ofrenda. Overall I feel I deserve an A+ because I put a lot of effort into this project and feel I have grown and developed more connections to surrounding cultures.
If you could change something about this project, what would it be?
If I could change something in this project I would most likely change the incorporation of the four season and four directions of the earth. I would not make major changes, but if I had the chance I would definitely improve my ofrenda by making simple changes to these areas. I would change the incorporation of the four seasons by adding in flying cloths for each season instead of major symbols for each season (snowflake, leaf, flower, sun). To modify the incorporation of the four directions of the earth I would change the paper/cardboard compass into a real working compass. These are just simple and small changes, but I feel that these changes would improve my ofrenda. I am still very proud of the product accomplished.