I really liked the topics this week because art is something that can make difficult subjects relatable, and the murals that we looked at this week did a really good job with that. I also think art that is something that is a really effective educational tool because its something that everyone can understand for the most part, as often visual tools can make comprehending certain subjects easier. I am actually excited for the midterm assignment as I think one can’t really get the whole effect of the murals unless you can see them in person. Visual analysis is also something that I have always been interested, and it will be especially interesting for murals as they are guaranteed to have a lot of background and meaning behind them. The mural my group chose for our presentation was especially interesting to me as I drive through Germantown to get to work, and although I don’t drive by the mural itself I do pass a lot of Haitian churches and other aspects to show the presence of the Haitian community in that area. I think that the way that survivors of the earthquake in Haiti were able to relocate and start over their lives the way that they did, and how they were able to build such a strong community in the process. This mural is meant to represent the resilience of the Haitian community and I think that it definitely accomplishes its purpose.
Civic Media Blog 