Art for cultural integration through a mural
Pre-Columbian art, Mayans, Incas, Aztecs and Cherokee art
We began by working on the similarities of these cultures. Although they are geographically far from each other, the students were surprised by their many similarities, pertaining to food, religion, and life styles. I thought for a long time on how to work with youth who are moving toward adulthood. I wished for this work to leave a message for them, beyond the artistic achievements, I wanted something more.
It seemed appropriate to work with two Cherokee stories because one is about the passage from childhood to maturity (which we call adolescence) and the other one is about being an adult and taking responsibility for our actions. This story says that we have two wolves internally and we are responsible, as adults, for which one we choose to feed. The story goes that if we wish to be good people, we will feed the wolf of joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility and kindness.
Moving into adulthood these young become responsible for their actions. These stories will help them to think and understand this transitional period in their lives. The focus of this preliminary mural project is the integration of these concepts of childhood, adulthood, rites, dances, customs, good, bad, etc.
For projects of this nature, I initially allow each student to work individually on their own art piece. Later, the mural is created by combining the individual works of each student.
It was not easy task to mix two cultures, but they learned that nothing is impossible. Now they are working on the finishing touches on their personal work, so everything is ready for the exhibition. One can observe in each work differences in taste, criteria and age, but they all reflect the wealth of imagination of all the students.
A short film about this project was created by Joshua Hamilton, who is a senior majoring in film and video at Pellissippi State Community College. This would not have been possible, if not for the free collaboration of the Pellissippi State Community College and its student. I deeply appreciate the possibility to have this first experience of integration through the arts in Knoxville documented, hoping to serve as inspiration for projects to come.
Thus, through this project we are able to think differently and grow through these differences, breaking with stereotypes that cause so much harm to communities and the world. Many thanks to Tennessee Art Commission and Hola Hora Latina for giving me the opportunity to demonstrate once more, this time in Knoxville, that cultural integration through the arts is possible.
Dina R. Ruta,
Project Director
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Students
Stephanie
I am Stephanie Steren-Ruta a student at West High School. I am sixteen years old and since I was little I have been doing art projects. This project was very appealing considering I am always interested to learn about other cultures all over the world. My painting is based on the dances that both the Cherokee people and pre-Columbian culture does. I decided that I wanted to have something that assimilated both cultures and found that the dances were one of them. On one side I have a Mayan with indigenous patterns of the civilization and the same with the Cherokee man. Through the rays of sun illuminating both of the men I wanted to show that even though they are different and come from different places we are all under the same sun and there is always something that is similar.
This relates not only to those cultures but in general to today’s population we are all similar in one way and have similar interests. Discrimination is based on being scared of something different and trying to be above other people but everyone has their strengths and weaknesses therefore we need each other to survive. Why are we scared of something different if they might be your best friend in the end not only are we scared of people but of something different in life. Changes can be good once in a while they make you cherish things that you didn’t before it make you live day to day instead of always living for the future. Not only does this picture bring the two cultures together but bring in beliefs of life. One questions why so many wars why so much hatred but there is no answer you just have to set an example for others and hope they follow your lead. This art project is meant to make you a leader for other people and express yourself through art therefore making the painting as personal as writing a letter to your best friend.
Natalia
My name is Natalia Velasquez and I am a student at Knoxville Catholic High School. I’m fifteen and have lived in Tennessee for ten years. I am originally from Mollendo, a small port in Peru, South America. When I learned about the theme for this project I immediately thought back to the Andes Mountains and parts of the Amazonian jungle in Peru. The strong Cherokee encounters in Tennessee’s history also influenced me. I chose to include Incan figures such as the llama and small eagle like birds. I chose to use the birds knowing that the eagle was used in both cultures in pairs as recurring symbols. The use of corn was also incorporated due to the strong value and dependency both cultures showed. Many other figures such as the small frog and some of the vegetation were taken from similar Argentinean art. The similarities within each culture still amaze me, how some civilizations millions of miles or more apart have so many similarities. This fits into the mission of “Jovenes Sin Nombres” perfectly. Thought they are completely different in certain aspects, the basic ideas are shared throughout all cultures.
Bogachan
My name is Bogachan Akyildiz, I am from Turkey, and I am 17 years old. I go to West High School. The reason that I was painting wolves that symbol for Turkey is grey wolves and at the same time Cherokees symbol is grey wolves too. The Cherokee story of the wolves talks about the good wolves and the bad wolves inside us. When we grow older we decide which one to follow. In the middle the Aztec pyramid symbolizes not only unity of Cherokee and Aztecs culture but it also integrates my culture as well. This project helped me learn about different cultures and see the similarities between the cultures.
My name is Harley Diamond. I am fourteen and I go to Karns Middle School.
Harley
My painting started out as a bunch of squiggles on a page and I was told to try to find forms and incorporate the Latin American natives, the Cherokee, and modern Tennessee symbols. The three main things in my painting because of that is the dinosaurs filled with reoccurring patterns from the native Latin American art, the dogwoods, and the beautiful Tennessee landscape. The landscape includes the Smoky Mountains, the Tennessee River, and the marvelous sunset that I’ve grown up seeing. There are some reoccurring things that these cultures have in common that I didn’t know of until I started working on this. This has taught me a lot about the art and other aspects of cultures of the Latin American and the Cherokee. And it has been great to have people to help and support me.
Christina
My name is Christina Cox and I participated in this mural. In school was in art classes that are required, but this is the first class I have chosen to take part in. I have drawn on my own without direction for a few years, although, I have not attempted to paint a planned picture before this Cherokee Indian. That is why I am thankful for the help and opportunity to ask questions and work with other teenagers from other countries. Through this project I have met people from Peru, Argentina, Mexico, and Turkey. I, myself, have always lived in the United States, which makes it interesting to talk with teens from South America. By taking part in this mural I have expanded my reach of using new materials and advice from a talented and accomplished artist. I have enjoyed working towards the mural and learning tips for my drawing technique along the way.
My name is Carlos Alonso Bermudez Gianella and I am a current student at Pellissippi Community College in Knoxville Tennessee.
Carlos
I’m twenty years old and I have lived in Knoxville for 3 years. I am originally from Lima, Peru. When I heard about this project I got really excited about it because I knew that I could put the history and culture of my country on paint and expressed to the world. Also the Cherokee culture influence a lot during my current period here in Knoxville. However in my paint I decide to include the “Incas” (old natives from Peru). Some of those figures were some of the famous Lines of Nazca that are found at the North of Arequipa, one of the states of my native country Peru. Therefore, this incorporation of Peruvian Culture and Cherokee is what will show how an intercultural relation grows fast and as a flower on the spring time. I chose to use some of my imagination and reality of what Cherokee and Incas culture have to show to the world. The lines of Nazca know as big stars that felt into the ground and stayed there for the past long years of the world.
Michal
U
U
U
MICHAL FRIEDMAN
CO-FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR, “Jovenes sin Nombres”
U
U
Integration through Art in Knoxville Tennessee, April 2011:
1 What impacted one the most about the process of integration through the arts in Knoxville?
More than anything, I was moved and impressed by the ability of the visiting youths from “Jovenes sin Nombres” to transmit their knowledge and learning experiences to the youths in Knoxville. I was equally impressed by the response of the local youths to learning from the visiting youth leaders and to the exchange of ideas that ensued. I was also quite impressed by the enthusiastic response the group received from the public who attended the opening exhibition.
2 Do you believe that it is possible to work with other emerging groups within the U.S?
2. I think it is not only possible to work with other emergent communities in the United States, but it is also important to do so. All emergent and especially emergent immigrant communities face common challenges, as well as aspirations. Finding innovative ways to address these issues, as “jovenes sin nombres” has done so, through the arts, allows for what are often unanticipated and incredibly fruitful results, as well as an overwhelming response from a wider public. Exchanging such knowledge and experience with each other is therefore essential for such groups to grow, help nurture each other and educate others about the experiences of immigrants in this country.
3. What did you like and what would you change?
3. The entire weekend workshop was fantastic and was planned very well. The only thing would I suggest is building in some more time for integrative social activities which would allow for a somewhat deeper exchange between the groups. There are many creative ice breakers that can be used for this purpose. Perhaps telling both groups in advance to plan something would be helpful and set both groups on equal footing and thus allow for an even greater exchange.
4. Did you like how everything was prepared in the exhibition?
4. The exhibit was truly fantastic. It was organized very well in every way possible, and allowed the visiting young artists to speak about their artwork to a wide audience, and for residents of Knoxville to learn about the group’s work and mission in what was a public yet also intimate setting,.
5. Did you feel that the goal of the trip for which you traveled so many hours was achieved?
5. I certainly felt the objectives of the trip for which we traveled a long way, were fulfilled. In fact, they were fulfilled beyond my expectations. It was a truly exhilarating experience for me, as the director of the group, as well as for the youth leaders.
6. Would you like for something like this again to happen again with other projects?
6. I would love for “Jóvenes sin Nombres” to continue working with the group in Knoxville and other similar groups. I think it would be wonderful for us to be able to participate in a similar exchange in the future with other projects.
Alfonzo
U
Y
Y
ALFONZO BARQUERO
DIRECTOR DE LOS “Jóvenes Sin Nombres” Pittsburgh, PA
T
T
P=Que fue lo que más le impacto de este proceso de integración a través del Arte?
R= Varias cosas. Sobretodo la promoción de los Jóvenes en este tipo de eventos, en donde además de reconocer su trabajo artístico, cultural y social en otras ciudades y regiones del país, se logra que ellos mismos puedan sentir su trabajo y participación valorado y reconocido. Permitiendo así, apreciar y valorar su talento y capacidad en muchas de las áreas que aun se desconocen incluso por ellos mismos.
A nivel de otros grupos del país, en muchas ocasiones, no se permite que la participación de los Latinos y su cultura sea considerada y valorada como podría ser, desacreditando y no permitiendo conocer la capacidad que como Latinos y sobretodo Latinos Jóvenes, éstos pueden ofrecer en muchos niveles y sobretodo el artístico y el cultural.
Como lideres, la participación de Jóvenes Sin Nombres en este tipo de eventos, ayuda a seguir formando y creciendo a nivel comunitario y eso, me gusto mucho de este tipo de proceso de integración.
P=Creen que es posible trabajar con otros grupos emergentes dentro de los USA?
R=Por supuesto. Este tipo de comunidades emergentes y sobretodo Latinas, se esta repitiendo y dando en todas partes del país. El trabajo a través de la promoción e identificación del talento artístico y el trabajo con artistas Latinos contemporáneos, puede contribuir desde mi punto de vista, al desarrollo comunitario y de los grupos Latinos que sienten aun estar aislados del resto de la comunidad y de los cuales no se valora la contribución no solo económica sino cultural y social.
P=Que no les gusto y que cambiarían?
R=Desde mi punto de vista, falto más participación de Lideres Latinos de la Comunidad, de las Iglesias y centros hispanos o de apoyo que pueden conectar con la juventud Latina y los talentos Latinos jóvenes. Desde el inicio, debería tenerse un grupo más fuerte y consolidado de trabajo, al que se le ofrezca mayor consolidación y promoción a través de este tipo de Proyectos Artísticos y Culturales.
Conectar con los Lideres, ahorraría mucho tiempo, pues la “red social’ de la comunidad Latina, se mantiene cerca, y puede promover este tipo de eventos dentro de la misma comunidad, en donde se mantenga al grupo definido y consolidado desde un principio.
Pienso que deberían promoverse también las actividades de cohesión, con el grupo que viene a trabajar y el grupo que estuviera listo para recibir el entrenamiento. Esto promovería también la participación y el entusiasmo a seguir trabajando en el proyecto desde que inicia hasta que termina con el propósito, en este caso, un Mural, o una presentación del trabajo realizado.
P=Les gusto como estuvo preparado todo en la exposición?
R=Si. Fue bien organizado y se cumplieron los objetivos, además de que se logro la participación de muchas personas, entre ellas el Alcalde, que mostró cooperación y entusiasmo en seguir trabajando y apoyando a los Latinos y los proyectos Latinos de la Ciudad de Knoxville.
Pienso que se logro la contribución de las personas asignadas, así como mucho interés en visitar la exposición y saber el motivo de las pinturas. Muchas personas quedaron admiradas con la exposición.
P=Sintieron que los objetivos por los cuales viajaron tantas horas estuvieron cumplidos?
En lo personal, siento que valió mucho la pena el viaje, pues además de participar, apoyar y trabajar como equipo, logramos mucha convivencia y fue divertido incluso viajar juntos y compartir nuestras opiniones y platicas durante el trayecto a Knoxville.
Además consolido muchos esfuerzos de muchos meses y años de trabajo con los jóvenes y la comunidad latina de Pittsburgh.
Pienso también que promovió mucho el liderazgo de quienes participaron y también nos motivo a seguir creciendo como grupo y creer que las cosas pueden resultar a pesar de tanta dificultad a veces política, que como vimos, puede pasar de lado, cuando se trata de valorar a la comunidad y a los jóvenes latinos a través de lo mas valioso. En este caso el Arte.
P=Les gustaría que algo así se vuelva a repetir con otros proyectos?
R=Claro. En todos sentidos, la unidad hace la fuerza, y podemos seguir apoyando en muchos de los cambios que necesitan nuestra comunidad y nuestros Jóvenes Latinos. Al final, llegara la gota que derramara el vaso, y los políticos tendrán que ceder y entender que los Latinos ya formamos parte de esta sociedad y es la manera en que podemos expresarlo. A través del Arte, la organización y sobretodo la unión.
HoLa Beat 