Student Art and More ...
AAAU — 5.1.25
Hey Everyone,
I was away on vacation for several days, so I don’t have time this week to include as much as I usually do. But there are many, many upcoming happenings in my last edition and the edition before that. Today, I’ll add a few events at the end. But I’ll start with the very engaging, thoughtful American Remix art study by 7th- and 8th-grade students at Bronx Community Charter School (BxC) in Norwood.
Their art students’ teacher (and BxC co-founder) Kendra Sibley, said:
“We spent a bunch of time looking at the artwork of artists who transform American symbols and iconography to say something about American culture and their relationship to America. Each student chose a symbol or icon to transform, in some way, to say something about how they feel about being in America (as an American or not).”
Here’s the work of five of the students in the class, including parts of their thoughtful explanations.
“I used the image of an American Bald Eagle and combined it with a Peruvian llama. As a symbol, the American Bald Eagle represents the dominance and power that America tries to assert. The llama symbolizes Peru as well as our heritage, pride, and the connection between our people and nature. In my artwork, the llama looks a lot more welcoming and accepting and kinder than the eagle who has a very serious and strict expression. I chose to remix this specific image, because there is a fine thin line between the sides, so I’m able to switch between these identities pretty easily which is why the line is thin.” —Carrie
“I chose the flag because it’s the most obvious representation of the U.S. and I decided to remix it with some pieces of my culture. I am Mexican but I’m growing up in the U.S., which makes me Mexican-American, and I decided to visually represent that with the American flag. I used images of traditional Mexican fabric and embroidery from traditional dresses in place of the red stripes. I used a bunch of different fabrics that had red as an essential part of their design. Instead of the blue background with stars, I chose to draw a blue papel picado image of a skull surrounded by marigolds which are typically used during Dia de los Muertos. I thought it was a great representation of being Mexican-American because it has qualities from both sides.” —Dana
I remixed the Statue of Liberty by placing it in Oaxaca, Mexico where my family is from. The Statue of Liberty represents liberty, freedom and the rights of Americans. I added a Mexican sash and marigolds in the crown to represent the way we celebrate holidays. I placed her in Oaxaca with colorful buildings and papel picado. The imagery is mostly Mexican, because that is how I feel. America is not my home. I feel like I have a stronger connection with Mexico. I want the viewer to know that even though I was born in the U.S. I still feel a strong connection with Mexico and being more Mexican than American. —Jennyfer
The American Icon I chose to remix is the Statue of Liberty because I like that the Statue of Liberty means freedom and hope. It is also a sign of welcome for immigrants. I’m a girl with immigrant parents, so I showed the center of the Ecuadorian Flag and added the Statue of Liberty. The focus of my artwork is the Ecuador flag because that's what I feel more. I'm American because I live here but, in blood, not really. —Evelyn
“I chose to remix the American flag. I chose this for my mom and dad because once they saw the flag they knew that this was the right place for me and my siblings. My flag shows that even though I am American, I will always represent my West African identity. I don’t always feel proud to be an American but because I was born here, I will always be an American. Nothing can change that. I think this showcases my feelings about being American by showing that even if I am American, my West African identity will always be a more important part of who I am. I want the viewer to think that I am an African who was just born in America and will always value my West African identity more.” —Mariama
A Couple of New Events …
I wish I had time for listing much more that’s happening, but here are a few things coming up (and you can check out the two most recent AAAU editions with more listings listings here and here):
On Friday, May 2, from 6 to 8 PM, the Bronx Museum hosts First Friday, a FREE beautiful bash featuring art, music, poetry and dancing. This happens the first Friday of every month, and it’s for all ages! How cool is that? All the info, and RSVP, here.
Pinkster Festival is on Sat., May 3, from 12 to 4 PM on the lawn of the Van Cortlandt House Museum. It’s FREE! It includes all kinds of fun stuff, including live music with Chief Baba Neil Clarke, a master percussionist, an art workshop, and an Afro-Dutch Cooking Demonstration with Cheyney McKnight. More happenings that day and all info listed here.
At the Derfner Judaica Museum in Riverdale, the exhibit “Nature’s Persistence: Recent Work by Shelley Haven,” is running through June 29. There will be a reception and artist’s talk on Sun., May 4 at 1:30 PM. All the info and photos here.
If you want to contact me directly, you can email me, Jordan Moss, at AAAUBRONX@GMAIL.COM.
Much of my art and photography is on IG @jordanmossbx.
Enjoy the weekend and beyond, everyone.
Peace, Salaam, Shalom, Paz, etc.,
Jordan