Weekly Selfie #8

 

DNA MAP

For this selfie assignment I was inspired by both Wendy Red Star and Jaune Quick-To-See-Smith. Using a Linguistic map of my home country Guatemala. When the genocide and colonization of Guatemala occurred we saw how the indigenous people were killed. Slowly the spanish language came into effect, which is why many speak broken spanish or not "proper" spanish. These were once homes to indigenous people and the Mayans. I highlighted my mayan features. My aquiline nose, dark black hair, Jawline, hooded eyes and Lips. As well as including mayan hieroglyphs and highlighting my black obsidian necklace (which was not intentional). The mayans considered it their "gold" because to them it was worth more than gold and using it as protection against bad negativity.

Mirzoeff, How to See the World, Chapter 5


Quote 1: “Seeing in the global city requires active self-censorship from its residents as part of a highly controlled environment, encapsulated by the now-notorious slogan of the New York Police Department: (If you see something, say something)."
short response: We are constantly observed, controlled and at the same time we are taught to observe others. Reading about how we are separated by class and constantly surveilled in the lower class “side”. Over Policing gives the power to brutalize and target minorities.

Quote 2: “Google Earth does not look like Earth but resembles other digital materials. Because we spend so much of our lives looking at these materials, it becomes real”.
short response: We see what we see in our everyday lives, it is rare for people to really see the reality of things. Some may never because they are trapped in this bubble and conform with the illusion. When we look at google maps we do not see the past, it becomes erased and we are only shown the good parts.



John Berger, Ch 7


Quote 1: “You are observed with interest but you do not observe with interest, if you do.. You will become less enviable. In this respect the envied are like bureaucrats; the more impersonal they are, the greater the illusion (for themselves and for others) of their powers”.
short response: This quote made me think of social media and how many people try to give off a “aloof mysterious” persona. Many do so to not be seen as interested, making them hard to read or know who they are. Given this illusion they can take control and present themselves in whichever manner they decide to. Taking into consideration how celebrities will never post personal images/statements. They only want to show the best and how they are living their best life. This of course makes many people want to know more about them and it latches on to them because we see so many people become invested in their lives. Of course this is unhealthy to do because the people “looking up” to these celebrities/influencers look up to them for a reason. Perhaps to be more like them or envy them because it seems like they are living perfect lives. When someone shares everything about themselves it is not the same.


Quote 2: "The publicity image steals her love of herself as she is, and offers it back to her for the price of the product."
short response: This quote reminded me of my own performance video from last week’s assignment. We are “empowered” by products they sell us to become this “perfect, beautiful version of ourselves” and it makes us believe that we will become this person who others will envy. In reality we are putting ourselves down because we shouldn’t be relying on products to make us feel beautiful or perfect. We need to love ourselves for who we are and not think about who we can become with these products.