Visual Studies 280 / Fall 2017 / Student Blog

The word for this week, "HOLD" was a rather challenging one for me. For some odd reason, I did not have a clear image of what "HOLD" could be visually. I stared at the swan for a while and did not arrive at much. My image for the week is an exploration of what one can do when they have no idea where to start.

The word "Reach" immediately reminded me of the LA cityscape. The complete overlay of the grid stretching from the hills to the ocean is often times broken up by the skyward seeking spotlights of Hollywood. These two trademarks of L.A. may sometimes seem at odds but in other ways complement each other really well.

In thinking about this week's word, " Long ," I am reminded of an excerpt from Maya Angelou's " Caged Bird " that I would like to share. The caged bird sings    with a fearful trill    of things unknown    but longed for still    and his tune is heard    on the distant hill    for the caged bird    sings of freedom. 

I come from privilege An understanding that I have always been allowed to dream and empowered to follow those dreams An immigrant story that has created opportunities I never imagined And which continues to produce new ways for me to improve Where having the right to free speech means little if you don’t exercise that right But also having an understanding that what you say means something and your words have influence. I come from a culture of resilience Just a part of where I have been and how I have come to be.