Project 2- Perspective
"A particular perspective is a particular way of thinking about something, especially one that is influenced by your beliefs or experiences."
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/perspective
I have always been interested in street culture. Growing up in the suburbs Chicago, we would drive by and see these beautiful graffiti murals on the walls, and it really showed me how street culture really brings out the beauty in the inner city. Also, the fashion, and music of street culture is so influential, it made me curious to learn more about street culture.
English and Social Studies
For my Social Studies and English project I decided to combine these two projects together. Instead of doing two different paintings, I combined my ideas into one painting that shows the two different perspectives when viewing street culture. On the left side I have the perspective that I have learned from studying English. I've learned just how influential, and important street culture is. On the right side I painted the perspective that many people like assume what street culture is. In my artist statement I go into further details about my artwork, and really explain my ideas.
" Artwork: Street Culture in Perspective
Artist: Renee Ellis
I created this artwork to show two polarizing perspectives on street culture. To one group of people, street culture is one of the most destructive cultures in America. Many people see street culture as a breeding ground for criminals and gang members. To the higher classes of America, the people that are involved in street culture, or live in areas where street culture is prevalent, are only seen as gangbangers, drug dealers, and people who are violent. However, they seem to forget that the same gangbangers, and drug dealers are the ones helping them make money. From shoes, fashion, food, slang, to music, and celebrities, street culture is the backbone of American culture. A lot of people in the higher classes in America and the groups majorities in America like to criticize street culture and the people who truly create street culture until they can claim it as their own and make money off of it. Then it’s okay. On the other hand, people who are really into street culture are really just showing their creativity and pushing the boundaries. For example graffiti was started in the 60s and 70s in Brooklyn when Brooklyn’s economy was failing greatly so young kids took their artwork to the streets. There are negative things like gang and gun violence, but a lot of that is started by people of the institutions placed in America to keep minorities under. So, I really wanted to take these elements and show them into a piece of artwork that really shows both sides. On the right side of the painting, I wanted to show how graffiti is just seen as symbols defacing property, and how rap music is just angry people talking to a beat. I also wanted to add gang symbols to show how gang activity is often the front face of street culture. On the left side I wanted to show more of the art of street culture, and I even wanted to add certain messages into the painting to really show the mentality of a lot of youth involved in street culture. I also add important celebrities that have contributed to street culture and that have made their way into the iconic status of artists in America. All the things that I have learned and all the perspectives that I have learned from have helped me to understand street culture and people that are involved. It also showed me just how influential street culture is to America. Even though there are bad things that are involved in street culture, there are very positive things that continue to shape America and influence the newer generations."
" Artwork: Street Culture in Perspective
Artist: Renee Ellis
I created this artwork to show two polarizing perspectives on street culture. To one group of people, street culture is one of the most destructive cultures in America. Many people see street culture as a breeding ground for criminals and gang members. To the higher classes of America, the people that are involved in street culture, or live in areas where street culture is prevalent, are only seen as gangbangers, drug dealers, and people who are violent. However, they seem to forget that the same gangbangers, and drug dealers are the ones helping them make money. From shoes, fashion, food, slang, to music, and celebrities, street culture is the backbone of American culture. A lot of people in the higher classes in America and the groups majorities in America like to criticize street culture and the people who truly create street culture until they can claim it as their own and make money off of it. Then it’s okay. On the other hand, people who are really into street culture are really just showing their creativity and pushing the boundaries. For example graffiti was started in the 60s and 70s in Brooklyn when Brooklyn’s economy was failing greatly so young kids took their artwork to the streets. There are negative things like gang and gun violence, but a lot of that is started by people of the institutions placed in America to keep minorities under. So, I really wanted to take these elements and show them into a piece of artwork that really shows both sides. On the right side of the painting, I wanted to show how graffiti is just seen as symbols defacing property, and how rap music is just angry people talking to a beat. I also wanted to add gang symbols to show how gang activity is often the front face of street culture. On the left side I wanted to show more of the art of street culture, and I even wanted to add certain messages into the painting to really show the mentality of a lot of youth involved in street culture. I also add important celebrities that have contributed to street culture and that have made their way into the iconic status of artists in America. All the things that I have learned and all the perspectives that I have learned from have helped me to understand street culture and people that are involved. It also showed me just how influential street culture is to America. Even though there are bad things that are involved in street culture, there are very positive things that continue to shape America and influence the newer generations."
Art
For my art project I wanted to show the perspective of street artists. I created a graffiti sculpture but out of styrofoam and plexiglass pieces. I wanted to show how graffiti is often see as a way of rebellion but in actuality, graffiti art is a form of expression. A lot of young kids who do graffiti don't have art schools, or canvases to paint on so they use the streets to showcase their art. Also, a lot of young kids use graffiti to raise awareness and to show that they have a voice. The graffiti movement started when New York was in one of its worst moments. Graffiti started when New York was in debt and not enough money was being put into the schools and a lot of young kids were suffering during this time. I wanted my sculpture to show that graffiti can be a positive movement instead of just vandalism.