The artist behind Harlem Rose

This is the artist of Harlem Rose. In this video he explains a how he got started working with women shoes. Enjoy :)

Harlem Rose

Harlem Rose is  a sculpture by Wilie Cole created between 2005 and 2006. 

Although this piece of art was created in 2005, it is representative of the Montgomery Boycott in 1955.  The Montgomery Bus Boycott was a public demonstration by the African Americans in Alabama to desegregate the public buses. Prior to this boycott African Americans were forced to sit in the back of buses and give up their seats for white people. Even though these bus riders paid the same fare, they were still reduced to second class treatment. Harlem Rose is a sculpture composed of scuffed, and worn out women shoes formed into the shape of a sunburst. These are some of the shoes of women who participated in the Boycott. These shoes hold the struggles, and memories those women faced taking a stance for something we take for granted. 

As an African American female I feel a special connection to this piece because I know all the abuse, and struggles they faced were to make it a little bit easier for individuals like me to prosper. Without their contributions I would have never been able to attend an institution like Penn State or any of the other opportunities I am afforded. This connects to my values because I believe that things I am doing will help future generations and the progress will never stop. 

Willie Cole is a well known artist from Newark, New Jersey who does a lot of pieces constructed from women shoes. He was born in 1955 so the Boycott was something he knew about. He also works heavily with african art. He has created tribal warriors out of women shoes, so he is very knowledgable on Africa and African American art and culture. 

In my opinion this is a representational piece of art. I think it is trying to honor the hard work of these women and pay homage to the impact they have had on our lives. I think he chose to form these shoes into a sunburst because the sun is a symbol of a brighter day. Without each contribution the sunburst could not be completed. Without each individual contribution we might still be sitting at the back of the bus. 

This was my second trip to the Palmer Art Museum. I previously attended for another class to interpret pieces of art. I have always enjoyed art muesums because their is so much you can learn by just stopping and thinking why the artist made a piece. The art is also very beautiful. Although I enjoyed the art I am not very creative or artistic so I only enjoy going to art museums once in awhile. If I had to go to the museum again I would probably bring some friends along because it's not as fun alone. 

THON 2012

My first THON at PSU was an indescriable feeling. I am one of the proudest Penn State students after this weekend. I am so grateful for the opportunity to participate in an event that created so much unity and that emphasized on selflessness. I am very excited for next year to get even more involved. 

Purple = Shanice [1st Blog Post]

Enter at your own risk is an appropriate title for this blog because I want my readers to know they are welcomed and encouraged to read my blog but I have strong beliefs that they may or may not agree with.

I believe my blog is an honest, and genuine refection of the type of person I am. Besides the cliché' reason that my favorite color is purple, I chose the color purple as my background color because it is a color that reflects me on many different levels. Lavender is representational of my soft, and sweet side. I love little kids and I am very nurturing and patient while they are in my care. Violet tends to have a more bluish tint, which embodies my athletic side. I am very feminine but I love to play sports and I am not afraid to sweat. Dark purple symbolizes royalty and I translate that into my reliability. The Queen or individuals in the royal family are constantly called on for different needs, and problems that their subjects have so they can help or come up with a solution. My friends or anybody in need can call on me and I will come up will try to come up with a solution to help them with their problem.

Eighteen is a very transitional period in a young person's life. We are not little kids anymore but we are not old enough to do everything on our own. I think stripes are the perfect way to portray that message and that is why they are included in my blog. Polka dots are fun, whimsical, and a little juvenile. Stripes are the perfect contrast of fun yet mature but not as mature and old as the floral print in nursing homes. I want my purple stripes to make the statement that I am old enough to make my own decisions but I still need my parent’s advice and money sometimes. I am independent with a little emphasis on dependent.

I kept my about me page very simple. I started my introduction with one of my favorite quotes so that my readers could get a better understanding of who I am and what kinds of things attract my attention. I didn’t want to say too much obvious information about myself because I believe I can make a bigger impact by showing what I believe versus just saying it. I included a picture of THON because it was an experience that really impacted my life recently.

Making this blog took a little longer than I expected because I have never blogged before and I didn’t know their would be so many choices or thought that would have to go into this process. I think blogging in this class will be an enriching way for our class to get exposed to other people’s feelings, opinions, cultures, likes, and dislikes in a way we may have never gotten the chance to.