How challenging was this project for you? Be specific. Overall, this project wasn't too challenging because everything came along very easily and the building process of the ofrenda worked out perfectly. It took me a while to decide who I wanted to honor my ofrenda to, but after I figured that out, the process of building the ofrenda worked to my liking. I got many personal possessions and other required materials fairly easily which made the process very enjoyable.
What did you enjoy most about this Cultural Connections project?
I enjoyed the fact that we were exposed to a new tradition that has been celebrated for years. I myself, don't celebrate the day of the dead, nor have I ever thought about ever taking part in it. This project has helped me experience something new, which to me, was really amazing.
Did you receive critique and feedback from anyone (teacher, parent, classmate, etc)? If so, who? Was the feedback helpful? (This could be for any part of the project, illustrated journal, ofrenda, exhibition) I received critique on my ofrenda from multiple people. I was told to make my ofrenda look less like a "box," because it was a shoe box. Then I added tissue paper to the parts which were exposed, and made the box look more colorful and less like a drab shoe box.
What grade do you think you deserve? Why? I think I deserve an A+ because I worked pretty hard throughout the whole project. I did everything on time, gave critique, and helped tear down at the exhibition. I also thought my ofrenda was pretty good overall as I felt I put a lot of effort into it.
If you could change something about this project, what would it be? I really wouldn't change much because overall, this project was really amazing all around and gave me an experience that I myself would have never tried. The process to was also very enjoyable for me.
Artist Statement
Ofrenda Artist Statement By: Matthew Evans
My ofrenda honors my great-grandmother, her heritage, and her legacy throughout my family. She was born in Colombia and basically lived her entire life in Colombia. She visited the US a few times, to visit her daughter (my grandma) and her family. She was very influential to my family and this is through the different traditions she practiced which still apply to my family today. We still make hot chocolate the same way, sweets are still very important in our lives, and we are absolutely obsessed with almost everything Colombian. In fact, she passed away in her sleep after drinking a cup of hot chocolate. She was very important to my whole family and will never be forgotten. Most of the items in my ofrenda are personal items that were either owned by my great-grandmother or things that represent my grandmother and her traditions. For example, a few of the items that represented her were the wooden mixer, the little hat, the coffee packet, the little candy, and the Colombian flag. Most of the colors in the ofrenda are yellow, blue, and red which are the colors of the Colombian flag. My great-grandmother loved showing off the Colombian spirit through clothing and other accessories. Everything I have used honors her in a way that shows what it is like to appreciate, family, culture, and your heritage.