Performance

 Socio-Political Performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLyqBSRiosE

Click the Link to Open a Separate Window Performance

My Socio-Political performance is about the drug epidemic. At first, I wasn’t sure what kind of socio-political topic I should cover. Since all issues are important. Rather than focus on a variety of issues. I am not sure how people may perceive my work. I wanted to bring awareness. As well as show that getting help is not a negative stigma. It should be talked about more often.

I do know what message I want to convey through my performance. Learning about the obstacles and challenges these artists from different generations faced. It motivated me to create and not be afraid of perception. In this day and age their artistic style still sway many people. As I learn to build confidence through these artists. Understanding their differences and learning about the art they have created, It has provided a valuable lesson for me.

From the creator of “How to See the World.” Author Nicholas Mirzoeff, states, “Sure enough people worldwide are actively trying to change the systems that represent us in all senses from artistic to visual and political. This book seeks to understand the changing world to help them and all those trying to make sense of what they see.”

The first artist who had an influence on my creation is, Yoko Ono. She is described by Bob Lansroth, in Widewalls as, “She was frequently criticized, ostracized by press and the public. Fighting her way through each hardship using her creativity and challenging artwork.”

Another artist unaware of her impact in art has inspired me to not think of what others will say is, Carrie May Weems. In the article, Revisiting Carrie Mae Weems’s Landmark “Kitchen Table Series” By Jacqui Palumbo the writer quotes Weems.
“I knew that I was making images unlike anything I had seen before, but I didn’t know what that would mean,” she told W. “I knew what it meant for me, but I didn’t know what it would mean historically.”
Many of these artists faced challenges and had learned to become resilient. They did not wait for appropriation or acceptance of their art. These artists continued their self expression.

Lastly, Shaun Leonardo was an example of not letting fear of the unknown create our future. He had no doubts, nor did he question whether or not if his Art would be excepted. With strong confidence, and “lack of fear of the unknown” as well as no blockage. Shaun Leonardo could see himself mastering his own form of art.
In the interview with Shaun Leonardo
from Hispanic Executive | Interview with Shaun Leonardo  Performance, Pedagogy, and Philosophy.

“I found myself seeing these, great art works! and believing I could achieve that.”
“I don’t understand how I never felt that the historical art canon could not be achieved simply because of my ethnicity or color. That was never a blockage for me, psychologically.”