Week 5

1. What does MoLAA stand for?

MOLAA stands for Museum Of Latin American Art

2. Explain what you see on the video clips (be specific)?

MOLAA Clip - Was a video taking you on a virtual tour of the Long Beach California based Latino Art Museum. As I viewed the video, I saw an amazing collection of different types of art ranging from traditional folk art to modern contemporary art produced using various art forms such as sculptures, multi media designs, watercolors, oils, fabrics, woods and metal materials.

You Tube Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z70-UeXdpXs

In Cuba today it is profitable to be an artist. This Frontline broadcast video discussed and depicted the revolution in Cuban art. It said that Cuban Art was used by the Castro regime as a political tool to spread socialism. When Russia cut off funding, local art turned into a an enterprising for profit adventure.

The video showed some really great art and portrayed the everyday lives of some artists. As I viewed the video. The stories of the artists who struggled from poverty turned out to be a interesting and very surprising capitalist story that seemed more like an American story than a Cuban story.



3. What did you learn from the video clips ?

1. First thing I learned was that there is a museum in Los Angeles entirely dedicated to Latin art. MOLAA is the only museum in the United States dedicated to modern and contemporary Latin American art.

2. From the Frontline video I learned a bit of the history an progress of Cuban art and also how popular around the world it is today. The insight into the artists lives and issues with the government was interesting and informative.


3. From the MOLAA website one of the more interesting things I learned was that between 1913 and 1918 the site that the museum now occupies was the home of Balboa Amusement Producing Company, then the world’s most productive and innovative silent film studio. Before Hollywood, Balboa was the leader of the silver screen, producing as thousands of feet of negative film per week.


4. What is one specific work in this location that attracted you?

The art of Carlos Luna on exhibit at MOLAA.

Give us the name, and related background info which you must do more research on google.com.

Carlos Luna was born in Pinar del Rio, Cuba in 1969 and lived in Mexico from 1991 to 2002 and now resides in the US. What is interesting about his art is the materials he uses.



In addition to using oils on canvas, he works with a material called Gouache. Gouache is a type of water based paint consisting of pigment suspended in water. Gouache it is different than watercolor in that the particles are larger, the ratio of pigment to water is much higher, and an additional, inert, white pigment like chalk is also present. Gum Arabic is used as a binding agent (like a starch is used). This makes gouache heavier and more opaque, with greater reflective qualities. This gives his work a unique look. Especially when it is used on handmade paper with the addition of charcoal. So a gauache and charcoal work of art on handmade paper combined with his talent make a very extraordinary piece of art. If you look around at the museum his has other works on display of different types. To me, his art seems very vibrant and alive, very much like lots of latino music.













Comments on last weeks students work...

1. Susan noted that Freire believed that poor people of the world are dominated and victims of those who have political power. I would also add that many middle income people are being added to that list.

2. Kim thought that Freire was extremely spiritual and never needed to fight with himself to comprehend faith.

3. Michelle this interesting quote on wisdomquotes.com; "Education either functions as an instrument which is used to facilitate integration of the younger generation into the logic of the present system and bring about conformity or it becomes the practice of freedom, the means by which men and women deal critically and creatively with reality and discover how to participate in the transformation of their world."

4. Robert wrote about Conscientization - The concept that has to do with a process in which the student (eventually advances towards critical consciousness through both reflection and action.

5. Nancy said that Freire also felt that schools should be an agent of change instead of producers of the problems. (I think we have some catching up to do here in the US on that thought)

6. Stacy said that Being a thinker who also challenges the norm, Friere was met with great criticism and acclaimed support. (This is true in many areas of life I think)

7. Brandon wrote the Freire believed that literacy was a very important step towards freedom.

8. Sara wrote the Freire thought that If people were educating themselves, they were exercising their rights as people.

9. Logan wrote that Freire will always be remembered in his legacy of commitment to education, knowledge, love and hope for the oppressed.

10. Kathy said that Paulo Freire's most fundamental belief was that all humans were initially created equal with the opportunity to have the world at their feet without owning it.


11.Theresa understands how important it is to learn about a child’s culture, background, socio-economic status, family structure and any other information that might provide clues to how a child interprets and understands the world around him/her. With this information, a teacher can develop a means to allow a child the opportunity to explore, manipulate, communicate and question new concepts and ideas.