Honor: Students` Remembrances

Honor: Students’ Remembrances
Through Altars
International School of the Americas High School, Northeast
ISD
“Grandma Kimfung: I Miss You”
Pasamon S.
Artist Statement:
I selected My Grandmother. I selected her because she use to take care of me when I was
young and I miss her so much. She loved to travel to the different places and she really liked
to go to China, the place that her parents were born before they immigrated to Thailand, and
France. She also loved planting flowers in her little garden in front of her house. Rose was her
most favorite flower and she also loved the scent of flowers. In my artwork, “I Miss You”, I
put the stuff that made me think about her. I added the candles which have Thai flower
scents, the yellow candles are Jasmine and the pink candles are Moke. She planted Jasmine and
Moke in her garden. I want her to have light for her next life. I want her feel like that she is at
her home. I also added the paper craft flowers with many colors to made it looked like the
garden in the Versailles palace in France and the paper lamps which looked like the Chinese
lamps to make her feel like she is also in her favorite places.
“Aunt Joy: Simply Fabulous”
Ellie C.
Artist Statement:
My altar is dedicated to my great aunt Joy, because she was an important role model and
influence to me. She was always loving and she helped me understand fashion design, hence
the heart and fashion model. I have heard many stories about when she was younger. She had
quite an extravagant life. For example, she lived in New York working in fashion design. She
also was the secretary for a famous football team. Into her later life she started slowing down
her pace but definitely never losing any of her gloriousness. She became an interior designer.
This is why the draping and chandelier are important inside the box. I got the idea of adding
flowers from both the Mexican and Japanese alters. The process of deciding who my box was
going to be for was easy, almost instantaneous.
The designing on the other hand was the challenge. I
knew my aunt Joy pretty well, but thinking of items to
represent her was hard. I knew she was always
extravagant, so I lined the bottom with cheetah print
fabric. For some reason she loved pink flamingoes, so I
included one of those, too. As I thought of certain
aspects of the box, others just came to me. In the end,
I thought of and added everything I wanted. I am
content with the appearance of my box and I am glad
that I got the opportunity to honor someone who was
special to me.
“Tio Luis: A Loving Cartoonist”
Mariana M.
Artist Statement:
The person being honored in my altar is my dear uncle, Luis Jeronimo. When presented with
the opportunity to create an altar, from the start I knew I would be honoring him. Even
though my uncle passed away before I was born, I still feel a strong connection with him. Luis
was a brother to my father, and a political cartoonist. To properly honor Luis, who was born
in Mexico, the altar contains Day of the Dead influences.
In the altar, these influences and connections were brought
together by displaying my uncle’s successes in life and his
Mexican background. For example, the lace wrapped
around the box represents ‘papel picado’ or ‘picked paper’.
Papel Picado is widely used in altars during Day of the
Dead celebrations. Also, photographs of some of his
political cartoons are displayed. By bringing all of these
elements together a unique altar was created that included
many handcrafted pieces from Mexico, such as the cross on
the top of my box. During this creative process, I was able
to learn a lot about my Mexican heritage and my family.
This project was not difficult for me, because honoring my
uncle during the Day the Dead is a tradition in my family.
However this time, I learned more about my uncle, and felt
the bond between us become stronger than ever.
“Pluto”
Jade V.
Artist Statement:
My altar is in memory of Pluto, my cousin’s cat. In the altar, I put candles to have a cultural reference
(Japanese) to show that Pluto has light in the afterlife. I also included in the box a can of cat food for a
Mexican cultural reference because I want him to have food in his afterlife. The ribbon shows that he
loved to play with it; the reason why I put wallpaper around it instead of fabric is because he liked to rip
up the wallpaper around my grandma’s house. He liked to sleep on beds so I put a Hello Kitty Bed
alarm clock in the altar. He also liked stuffed animals and he loved to dress up (drawing in the frame).
He died of a blood clot in his leg. He was put down the same day. He was my favorite cat in the world
because he loved getting dressed up and he was like no other cat around. Though he was my cousin’s
cat, I loved Pluto like he was my own cat. He was very cute and loving.
“Charles Richard Stahl:
The Man in the Picture Frame”
Charlie S.
Artist Statement:
I have never met my Great Grandfather, I didn’t even meet him as a baby. All through my childhood I
heard stories about him. Everyone in my family talked about him with such respect, and smiled every
time they did. He must of been a really great man, so great that my mother named me after him. As I
said, I was never able to meet him, I just knew him as the man in the picture frame. In my assemblage I
incorporated some objects that seemed to fit the description my Great Grandmother supplied me with. I
included the logo from the company he worked at as a banker, a bible because he was a very spiritual
man who loved church, and a picture of him and his family because he put his family before everything.
He was a great man.
“Neil Armstrong: One Small Step”
Julia Gonzalez
Artist Statement:
The person that I chose to honor in my assemblage was Neil Armstrong. The reason why I
chose Neil Armstrong was because he was the first person to walk on the moon which was a
huge chapter in space exploration, and a proud moment in our history as Americans. There
are five pictures of Neil Armstrong which represent his accomplishments. These pictures
show us his accomplishments in space, and his impact on American society. One of the
cultural influences found in this assemblage include two candles, which in the Japanese culture
are used to help light the way of their loved ones who have passed. Another influence is the
cross which is put in Mexican altars so that God will be with them in the afterlife.
“Anne Frank: Remember Me”
Jacob P.
Artist Statement:
For my project I decided to honor Anne Frank. I choose Anne because she was one of the most famous
people to have died in the holocaust. Another reason for choosing her is because she was Jewish and I
felt that she is a very important person to remember. To decorate my box I decided to use blue wrapping
paper because I thought that it was very simple and it reflected her very well. Also I used pictures of her
diary because this was very important to Anne and I personally think that she will be in heaven with it.
There is a candle to represent the eternal light of those who were lost in the holocaust. In the shrine you
will find the star of David and the Jude star which is a way to show her culture and how being Jewish at
that time was dangerous.
“Grandma Pandora: A Lady of Love”
Lily M.
Artist Statement:
I chose to create an assemblage for my grandmother because my memories of her still
remain. My grandmother was a caring woman who never fell short of anything but lovely. She
would light up a room with just her smile and intriguing charisma. Grandma Pandora was
always very fond of nature. Two birds lie on the front of the box because one of her favorite
past times was sitting on the back porch, watching birds fly in and out of a little bird house
she had in her backyard. In the back of the box are two large sunflowers because she loved to
make her own wreaths. Her office was always filled with assorted flowers that she used to
make them with. The small terracotta pot represents her most favorite activity- gardening. On
the sides are two candles in relation to the Japanese altars. These candles are a sign to lead the
loved one home.
The cross inside is a symbol of her faith. In Mexico,
most people were Christian, so that is why they always
placed crosses in their Dia De Los Muertos altars. In
the center of the assemblage is a photo of my
grandma and me when I was a baby. This picture
represents that she has been there for me all of my life,
and she is still with me in my heart. She was a blessing
to me, and I try never to forget that. Although she may
be gone, her impact on my family and me will last
forever.
“Leonardo DaVinci: A Real Italian Artist”
Lorenzo G.
Artist Statement:
For this project I picked an Italian artist because I like his work. The artist is Leonardo Da Vinci. He is a good
artist and a genius. He made the Mona Lisa and the Vitruvian man. In my own work I put one picture with
pizza because I think the pizza influenced people from Mexico and China. In my own work I put colored rags
to form the Italian flag because they remind me of my country and I think the Italian country influenced more
countries including Mexico and China. After this I put a table that represents the table where Leonardo drew
the Vitruvian man. In fact, on the table there is a picture with the Vitruvian man. I think this work because I
learned about different cultures.
“My Grandfather: Good Memories”
Narumi D.
Artist Statement:
I selected my grandfather because I have a lot of memories of spending time with him. He
came to San Antonio to research the construction of the riverwalk long ago. Now I’m here in
San Antonio by a strange coincidence. I think it’s our lot. That’s why I selected my
grandfather. I decided to make a Japanese and Mexican altar. I put a black cloth with leaves
around the box because the Japanese altar is almost black or dark colored. But I put a colorful
Mexican tile in a middle of background to dress it up. In the box I put some flowers, a candle,
and stones instead of Japanese sand. It’s almost kind of the style of Japanese altar.
“Jackie Robinson: A Real Homerun”
Taylor S.
Artist Statement:
For my remembrance project, I had a hard time coming up with a person to do. After a few
days of thinking, and while watching a baseball game on television, I had a brilliant idea.
Even though he had died before I was born, Jackie Robinson was the perfect choice for me.
He was great at sports, and sports make up the majority of my hobbies. He was a family man,
and that is a quality I would like to have when I am an adult. Jackie was also very intelligent.
He is someone that overcame much more struggle than many of us could ever bear. He’s
someone I can look up too. And that’s why I chose him. To remember Jackie, I added some
pictures of him and his family. I added a baseball, some baseball stickers, and some baseball
player figures. I thought those were a good way to communicate Jackie’s lifelong passion for
baseball. Some other items I included are a UCLA emblem (his college), an American Flag
made of only baseballs and baseball bats, a few words that I thought described him, and a
Dodgers symbol (the team he played for). In the back of my altar, I have a picture that
contains some baseball items. It has some bats, baseballs, and even a Brooklyn Dodgers hat,
To remember Jackie, I added some pictures of him
and his family. I added a baseball, some baseball
stickers, and some baseball player figures. I thought
those were a good way to communicate Jackie’s
lifelong passion for baseball. Some other items I
included are a UCLA emblem (his college), an
American Flag made of only baseballs and baseball
bats, a few words that I thought described him, and a
Dodgers symbol (the team he played for). In the back
of my altar, I have a picture that contains some
baseball items. It has some bats, baseballs, and even a
Brooklyn Dodgers hat, which is the only Major
League Baseball team Jackie played for.
“John Lennon: Imagine the World as One”
Noah S.
Artist Statement:
John Lennon. Some say he was an activist of peace while others say he was a blasphemous
man for arguing against the Christian church. Born John Winston Lennon in Liverpool,
England, he lead a turbulent youth until he found music. Only a few months after he was born
his dad left the family and his mom died when he was seventeen in a car crash. a few years
later he was enthralled by music when he heard “Heartbreak Hotel. Shortly after, he started a
band that was called The Quarryman up until 1960 when they evolved into The Beatles. He
and the Beatles came to United States in 1964 and with huge success. When The Beatles broke
up in 1970 he went on to have a solo career along with joining multiple peace and coexist
movements though taking a break in 1975 for five years to spend time with his son, Sean
Lennon. His biggest solo album was released three weeks before his death which was called
“Double Fantasy” in 1980.
“John Wayne: The Man with True Grit”
Graham P.
Artist Statement:
My assemblage was about John Wayne. John Wayne was an actor who starred in 168 western
movies, including “True Grit”, “The Cowboys”, “Hondo”, and “The Alamo.” John Wayne
was not just a country boy from Texas as many people think. He was born Marion Mitchell
Morrison in Winterset, Iowa in Madison County, May 26, 1907. He died on June 11, 1979 in
Las Angeles, California. My assemblage is special because it has John Wayne quotes in it. It
also includes a horse with a cowboy (John Wayne) on it riding out of a bull skull. This
represents to most, including myself, a country boy's hero. I look in my past and I see ghosts
and broken road blocks of things that everyone says I could not do. Then I look forward and
I see ghosts that are also encouraging me. But its not ‘till we look inside ourselves that we find
the true pieces. For John Wayne he found his country boy bone. A candle is included with a
lasso attached to allow him to have light in this time and place.
“Alice Paul: Feminine Strength”
Gabriela S.
Artist Statement:
My assemblage is made to remember Alice Paul, a women’s rights activist. She aided the
passage of the 19th amendment with her peaceful protests. I selected her because I find her
to be extremely inspirational, and she is someone who deserves to be remembered and
commemorated for all that she accomplished. The assemblage is decorated in a very feminine
way because being a woman was a large part of her identity. There is a bird statue to
symbolize peace, because she orchestrated many peaceful protests. She fought for the right to
be a woman with the ability to vote, because that was what she believed in. There are candles
in the assemblage to symbolize light, much like the candles in a Japanese butsudan. The
flowers show Mexican culture, because they would use flowers in their Day of the Dead
altars.
“Biggie Smalls: Ready to Die”
Wade R.
Artist Statement:
For my remembrance I chose Christopher Wallace the notorious rapper commonly known as
Biggie Smalls. Growing up in the ghetto streets of Brooklyn he like many other children had
very little hope making it in the harsh environment without joining gangs and engaging in
illegal activities. Through many years of practice and hard work Christopher Wallace
perfected his rapping skills. In the remembrance there is a red carpet in the middle to
represent how he wasn't alive to experience his massive success and was never able to become
what he deserved. The map of Brooklyn, the New York pen cap, and the New York metro
card in the back represents how massively important his hard life on the streets of New York
was to him. The cards on the outside represent how he gambled his whole life not only for
fun with his life but also releasing a new style of rap that ended up revolutionizing music
today.
The duck tape along the sides of the remembrance
represents how tough he had to be to break out of the
poverty he grow up to be a legend. The painting of him in
the background represents how he became a legend and is
still known as one of the best rappers. The tattoo gun by
the picture of Psalm 23 represents how getting the tattoo
of the bible verse Psalm 23 with his mom was in his life.
The wine corks represent how he became successful and
had the many luxuries he wanted and dreamed of as a kid.
The car door that has bullet holes in the back represents
how he was killed while at a stoplight after celebrating his
success and how unexpected it was. Overall Christopher
Wallace inspires me to go for my goal no matter how
distant it seems, because anything is possible.
“Ronald Reagan: A True American”
Mehron M.
Artist Statement:
The person I choose to honor on this project is Ronald Reagan. He was the 40th president of
the United States. He was a Hollywood actor, and was in movies like Kings Row, The Killers,
and George "The Gipper" Gipp. I choose to do my project on Ronald Reagan because when
my dad came to America he was the first president he voted for, and he idolized him. He
would always talk about him to me, and I guess that passed down to me. There are things in
my project like a podium, American flags, and a little manikin figure of Ronald Reagan. The
podium is in there because he was a great speaker, and it was a great way to represent that.
The American flags are there because he was a president, and it represent his patriotism. The
manikin figure behind the podium to make it look like he was speaking one last time.
The large portrait of President Reagan in the
background and incense were inspired by the Japanese
culture because these were ways they would honor
someone who has passed away. Ronald Reagan was an
actor. He was a the 40th president of the United States.
He was in the army. He also is my dad’s hero, and not
only his also mine.
“Seve Ballesteros: Contender at Heart”
Reid M.
Artist Statement:
I chose Seve Ballesteros for my assemblage tribute because he recently passed away, and was a
very influential figure in the golfing community. Since I pride myself in being a golfer, I
decided Seve Ballesteros would be an excellent choice. Seve Ballesteros was one of the most
charismatic and well like golfer of all time. When I was little I remember watching him on TV
and wondering how a person could hit a golf ball so well. My grandpa used to always talk
about how he held himself high and that we was an honest man. Ever since I have tried the
embody those values on the golf course as well as in life.
The outside of the box was covered in
pictures of Seve for the purpose of
remembrance and displaying some of his
many feats. I added the turf because Seve
used to call the golf course his “Home away
from Home”. The golf balls and tees were
added because they are part of the sport he
devoted his life to. The 18th flag coupled with
the black ribbon symbolized the end of his
life. In the tournament that proceeded after
his death all the golfer wore this ribbon on
their hats to show their condolences. The
candle was added as a Japanese tradition to
add light to the afterlife. The portrait is also a
Japanese symbol for the remembrance of one
who passed.
“Andy Warhol: Changing the World Through Art”
Eileen I.
Artist Statement:
For this assemblage, I decided that Andy Warhol would be really fun to remember, because he
made a huge impact on the world by taking photos of celebrities, such as Marilyn Monroe,
and changed them into art. He was such an eccentric and interesting person, and I really enjoy
his artwork. The blue felt was placed on the outside of the box, because he usually worked
with bright colors. Marilyn Monroe covers the background of the box, because her image was
one of his most iconic pieces of art. Some of his most famous quotes are written on the
outside of the box. Those are placed there because he was a very interesting personality, and I
think some of the things that he said really illustrate that about him.
The significance of the paintbrushes in the box is that
he was a great painter, and used different mediums of
art. As part of the Japanese tradition, the candle is
placed in the box so that Andy Warhol will have light
and will be able to see wherever he is now. As also part
of the Japanese tradition, there is rice in the box so
that he would be able to enjoy delicious food wherever
he is. The Mexican tradition with the yellow marigold
flowers is used in this altar so that we remember that
life is like a flower, and at some point, it will wither
away and we all will die.
“Rosalind Franklin: Secret Life Creator”
Lindsay H.
Artist Statement:
My altar honors Rosalind Franklin because her discovery remains a significant part of science
history. Without knowing her identification of the basic structure of DNA, genetic
engineering, Forensics, and Bioinformatics wouldn't be possible. She died at an early age so
she did not get to see how her discovery impacted the world. Several portraits of her are
exhibited precisely in the back of the assemblage, and a picture of Rosalind’s original
discovery is also displayed. These pictures represent her achievements and gives the audience
a better understanding of her appearance. The portrait representation comes from the
influence of Mexican culture.
The candles in my assemblage come from the influence
of Mexican and Japanese cultures in order to guide her
spirit. A Star of David is placed in the middle of my box
because Rosalind was Jewish and her faith was very
important to her and her family. A teal ribbon is placed by
her portrait because the teal ribbon is the symbol for
Ovarian Cancer, which she died from at the age of 37.
Two DNA strands are positioned in the front of the
assemblage because the helixes greatly symbolize her
legacy. This project taught me a lot about Rosalind
Franklin and I am very glad I remembered someone who
made such an incredible impact on our world through her
discoveries.
“Grandad: Active Remembrance”
Erin H.
Artist Statement:
After we were introduced to this project, my thoughts immediately went to my granddad. He
worked as a construction surveyor for most of his life and enjoyed his work very much.
Through communication with my mother and grandmother I was able to find out things
about my granddad that I had not known before, like the fact that he was in the military, and
was always active whether he was playing sports or building things around the house. The
physical appearance of the assemblage was influenced by the Chinese and Japanese cultures.
Paper flowers of the Chinese culture are placed as tributes; however the flowers were created
using blueprints because my granddad worked in construction. The boxes are used to create
different levels to house the army guys and golf ball, adding depth to the assemblage while
representing my granddad's activeness. Since the focus was to honor another person it
allowed me to learn more about my granddad, and ultimately feel closer to him.
“Buddy Holly: Rock through the Ages”
Andres D.
Artist Statement:
I chose Buddy Holly because he had a major influence on rock and roll. He helped close a
major divide in the industry. Before Holly there were two distinct sounds to rock, a more
upbeat one and a bluesy one. Holly had songs that were upbeat and songs that were bluesy.
He also had many songs that were a combination of both. He influenced many famous
musicians, and had songs dedicated to him after his death. Buddy Holly has museums and
exhibits dedicated to him across the U.S. His thick framed glasses are one of his most distinct
features. The outside has a record and music notes because he was a famous musician. The
candles shine the way for the dead in the Japanese culture. Putting flowers in a grave is a big
part both the Mexican and the Japanese cultures.
“Rachel Cantor: Mamma Mia”
Kendall C.
Artist Statement:
The person I’m honoring in my assemblage is my mother. Her name was Rachel Kendall
Cantor. The reason I chose her was because I shared some of the best childhood memories
with her. As a child she was my inspiration, the person who I looked up too, and the person
who I aspired to be. Some objects that I put into my assemblage were ladybugs, because those
were her good luck charms. On the interior sides of my assemblage there are breast cancer
pins, because that was her cause of death. At the bottom of the assemblage there is a candle,
so she can have light and be guided throughout her afterlife by this light. Along with that a
picture of her so she can be honored by others. Both the candle and the picture are seen in
the Day of the Dead altars.
My mother always loved the uniqueness of the sun and
moon, and how neither one of them outshined each other.
That's why I incorporated those two pieces. I put a quote
book that she used to use everyday, because she would
always read a quote to me so my day could be brightened.
One vivid memory that I have about my mother is her red
nail polish that she would always wear. That's why on the
side of my assemblage you see red nail polish. I’m so glad I
got to make this assemblage because I felt like it gave me
an opportunity to put what I remember of my mother in
my perspective. Also I think this gives others the
opportunity to see who my mother was and see how great
of a person she was.
“Grandpa: A Hole in One Memorial”
Mia B.
Artist Statement:
The person I chose to honor for our “Remembrance” project was my grandpa, Juan
Benavidez. We had a really special connection between each other. I knew I could always trust
and count on him. I thought about artifacts that I associated my grandfather with and what
other people who were close to him did. From there, I got the idea of using a sky blue fabric
and green carpet to decorate the inside to signify my grandfather was always outside. The
spray painted stencil of infrastructure on the inside of the fabric represents his job that he
was dedicated to for over thirty years. The coffee mug reminds me of my grandfather because
whenever I saw him, that is was he was drinking. I want him to have his cup of coffee
wherever he is, just as the Mexican culture uses food as a “feast” for the dead to have. The
incense also comes from the Mexican culture, it is used to remove negative energies and bad
spirits so that the dead may find their way.
The golfing silhouette represents my grandfather
looking down and watching over us in the afterlife,
while he does his favorite thing: play golf. In 2008, my
grandfather was diagnosed with dementia and he died
and the world lost a special soul. As we experience our
everyday lives, we forget the people who have impacted
us in a certain way because we lose touch with them. It
is sad to say that I did forget how much my grandfather
meant to me. This project allowed me to step back in
time and relive those memories I had with the one I
loved. What an enlightening project.
“Grandmother Betty: A Crimson Queen”
Emily B.
Artist Statement:
My Great Grandmother Betty had such a major contribution in my life, that it was so simple
for me to choose her for the remembrance project. My Grandmother Betty was very close to
me, and when she died last Christmas time, that took a very heavy toll on my family and
myself. She lived in the small town of Montgomery, Alabama. During the Christmas time she
would come to San Antonio and stay with our family. That is what the Christmas tree
represents in my box. She also loved to play dominos! She was pretty much the champion at
the game, and we would have little tournaments to see who would be the ultimate domino
champion! And Grandmother Betty always won, so by putting a line around the rim of the
box of Domino’s, my Grandmother will always have Dominos with her wherever she goes.
Grandmother loved college football, and
more specifically, The University of the
Alabama. She graduated from this amazing
school and has always been a huge fan! So
that is what the knitted letters that spell out
Alabama represent. The Crimson
background is present in the box because
that is Alabama’s color.
“Raul Acosta: The Pasture Above”
Omar A.
Artist Statement:
Raul Acosta was a hard working, friendly person; he traveled a lot because he was a U.S. imports
salesman. He loved his family very much. He was a farmer and he knew how to ride horses, milk cows,
and sow seeds into the ground. He grew up in a poor family, so going to school was hard because he
also had to work for a living eventually, he did finish college. On the tissue paper you may notice that
there are some cross cut outs. In Mexico many people are catholic these were added mostly because of
this reason. We are catholic so I thought it would be respectful. The background was painted as a ranch
because I was told he had lived on a ranch in Mexico, (I don’t know very much about my dad’s side of
the family so I used whatever knowledge my dad had). I added flowers because flowers are common on
most signs of respect. I was going to add marigolds, but no one had them, so I used some common
flowers that people had in stock. Most of the things that were placed in the altar were objects that can
be commonly found in a Mexican Day of the Dead altar.
“2Pac: In Memory of a Great Musician”
Nasir Z.
Artist Statement:
For my commemorative project, I chose to remember 2Pac because he was a good musician,
and he helped talk about social issues that he believed were important that needed change.
Also, 2pac changed the way music sounded because he incorporated his own style that
became popular in the 90’s and is still popular today. His music pioneered future artists to
improve the way music sounds.
“Jack Lalane: Father of Fitness”
Nasir Z.
Artist Statement:
Jack LaLane is the father of fitness, and the first to have a nationally syndicated exercise to
show on television. I have followed his fitness tips for years and they have been extremely
helpful. For my altar I will try and have a Spanish influence. I will have a picture of him,
candles, and other items of traditional Day of the Dead.
“Steve Irwin: Australian Hero”
Todd S.
Artist Statement:
The person that I made my altar for is Steve Irwin, the crocodile hunter. Steve Irwin was born
on February 22, 1962 in Victoria, Australia. He grew up studying animals at his parents
wildlife preserve. Eventually, the wildlife center became what's now known as the Australian
zoo. The reason I chose him is because he is my hero, and the reason I love animals. What I
put on my project is different biomes and animals that live in those biomes. The outside I
wrapped with zebra stripe duct tape. I also put a picture of Steve with a baby gorilla on his
back.
“Ethel Hodgens: Great Grandmother and Friend”
Sarah S.
Artist Statement:
My altar honors Ethel Hodgens, my great grandmother. When she was alive we were very
close. I remember as a little girl going to her house when we lived in Corpus Christi. I walked
around her home and admired all of her clocks, stuffed animals, and cute little knick knacks.
My whole family was devastated when she passed -- she was the one who kept us all so close.
I chose the color red because it was her favorite color. She always had to wear something red,
whether it be clothes or jewelry. Even her hair was red! Eventually she was nicknamed “Big
Red.” The big cheetah flower shows she loved animal prints. Her favorite prayer with the
cross symbolizes her religion and beliefs. The shoe that holds her picture to represents her
love for accessorizing – it fit her perfectly.
The “Joy, Peace, Believe” ornaments were
added because she had inspirational words
all over her home. My altar includes a few of
the cultural influences that I found during
my research. The flowers are found in the
ofrendas from the Mexican culture for Day
of the Dead. Flowers represent the fragility
of life. The candles from the butsudans are
found in the Japanese culture. Throughout
making this altar for my great grandmother,
I have found a way to honor her life, and
show my appreciation towards her. I think I
did a great job in doing so.
“Andres: Love That Shall Always Be Remembered”
Meytal R.
Artist Statement:
For my remembrance project I have chosen to remember Andres Cabrera. A 19-year-old boy from
Ronald Reagan High School who loved football and wrestling, but most importantly, left an amazing
impact on tons of people. When this project was introduced he came to my mind right away. He has
been in my life since I was about five, and it was a tragedy to see him leave this world at such a young
age. Andres was a big guy with a big heart who loved football, wrestling, and kittens. Therefore, on the
right side there is a football portion and on the left the slogan “Love Like Andres”, which was made
because he was the sweetest, most loving, and caring guy for everyone and everything. The biggest
lesson he taught me was that it’s very important to love life like he did because you never know when it’s
going to end. The white candles are from the Hispanic culture to light his pathway, and the flowers are
to communicate to the spirits the richness of the offering. All in all this project has brought to my
attention how much a single person can make an impact on multiple people, and I feel like he was the
perfect person to be remembered.
“My Grandfather”
Connor R.
Artist Statement:
I selected my grandfather because I never met him, but I have heard many stories about him.
I never met any of my grandfathers but I selected this one because my dad actually knew him.
On my moms side there is no info about her father because he left when my mom was born. I
put fishing bobbers and lures because he was a hardcore outdoors man. I also put a American
flag because he was a patriot.
“My Grandfather: Pop”
Jack (Chase) R.
Artist Statement:
My grandfather, Jack Risman, also known as “Pop” is the person I am dedicating this
remembrance project to. My grandfather grew up in the Bronx, New York but lived most of
his life in New Jersey. Among his hobbies were watching baseball, listening to classical music,
reading, doing math and playing cards. He grew up in New York when there were 5 baseball
teams in the city!! He loved the Yankees. His favorite player was Mickey Mantle. I was named
after my grandfather. He died in 2009. The objects in my remembrance box are symbolic of
Pop’s life and interests. The candles in the box are to represent an eternal flame for Pop. The
pictures of sheet music and playing and baseball cards all represent his hobbies.
“Raul Cortez: Love Since Day One”
Lorena M.
Artist Statement:
Raul Cortez was my grandfather. He passed away a couple of years ago in February. Because
he passed when I was younger, I don’t have a large amount of memories of him. Although, I
do remember how compassionate and caring he was with me. He loved me since day one, as
I’m constantly reminded by my family members. I chose to do a Día De Los Muertos altar in
remembrance of Raul. In my assemblage, I have a La Virgen de Guadalupe figure
(representing his Catholic belief), lace, and a few drawings of Día De Los Muertos skulls. As I
assembled my altar, memories began to flood back. I’m thankful for this assemblage. This
project brought back memories, of my grandfather that I had forgotten.
“Grandfather:The Least Known”
Jeffrey L.
Artist Statement:
I selected my grandfather (Popo) because I know the least about him out of my whole family. And,
based on what I have heard from my father, he was a pretty good guy but very strict. There is still a lot I
don’t know about him and a lot more I want to learn. A story I did hear from my dad was from when
my grandpa was in the hospital. We went to visit him in the hospital once after I had just recently learned
how to walk. But when we got there the nurses told us that he was too sick for visitors. My mom told
the nurses to tell my Popo that we stopped by for a visit. Then as we were heading out the door my dad
stopped, turned and sat down. He said at first that my mom looked a little confused, and my dad told
her that he knew his dad well enough that we were going to see him in a couple. And just as he predicted
a few minutes later the nurse comes back out looking very stressed out and asked us to go on into room.
Later it turns out that he had said that either they let us in or he walks out of there to see us.
“Grandfather Alberto: Memories of Support”
Stephen H.
Artist Statement:
I picked my grandfather for this project because we were very close and because he was my
role model. I put the American flags in the background because he loved this country and
because he served in the military. He said he loved it. I put the avocado in it because it was his
favorite food. He ate it with everything. The flower is on the altar so he can smell the amazing
aroma. I put the candle on the altar to represent the Japanese tradition. I feel like the altar
came out great, after doing this project I found out even more about my grandfather than I
did before.
“My Grandma was…”
Reina G.
Artist Statement:
My remembrance altar is dedicated to my grandma, Marie Gonzales, who was born in 1915,
and passed away in 2010. The objects in the altar represent her Mexican heritage and every
thing that reminded me of her. My grandma was always around, and used to eat dinner with
us almost every night. She taught us so much by sharing stories at the table about her life
experiences, and thus became a big influence in my life. The passport stamps, and the car in
the altar represent her love of travel. The level on which the candles sit represents a Mexican
tradition, and the candles themselves, that guide the spirit in the afterlife, come from the
Japanese culture. I really enjoyed the experience of creating an altar to honor my grandma as
it help me remember who she was as a person.
“Neil Armstrong: The Astronaut
Brian G.
Artist Statement:
For my remembrance altar I chose to do Neil Armstrong because he is a significant person to
all of America in general. Since a young age, I knew about Neil and what he did for our
country. I thought it was amazing that he was the first man on the moon, and that is one of
the major reasons why I did the altar on him. In the altar there is an American flag because
once they arrived to the moon that is what they put to show that they were the first on the
moon. This shows a big cultural influence to Neil because he was very proud of this moment
in history and in the American culture. Another main reason I picked to do the altar on Neil
Armstrong was because when I was little I admired that he went to the moon and hoped one
day I would be able to go to the moon or at least into space. After doing the piece of art I
realized that Neil Armstrong wrote history not only for America, but for mankind.
“Grandma: In Loving Memory”
Katie G.
Artist Statement:
My altar remembers my grandma because she taught me a lot, and she always supported me. I
also included her obituary. Patriotic pride, and the kitchen utensils are their for her to cook
with (which she LOVED to do). There's also a picture of Mimi included. Mimi was a very
loving, and spirited, and I wish that I had more time with her. She will always be in my heart,
loved, and remembered. I am honored to make this remembrance box for her, and know that
she would love it. She is definitely in a better place now.
“Selena Quintanilla-Perez: Dreaming of You”
Zipporah C.
Artist Statement:
My assemblage honors Selena Quintanilla-Perez. Ever since I was a little girl I have thought
of her as my older sister. I really looked up to her, and always wanted to be like her because
she was so confident and enjoyed what she was doing. The altar is wrapped in purple paper
because purple was her favorite color, and she would often perform in purple at her concerts.
The egg in the right corner was included because she collected Fabergé eggs as a hobby. Also
included in the altar are white flowers and candles. In the Mexican culture, white flowers
represent the people that have passed in hope that they rest in peace, and the candles give
them respect for their passing to the afterlife. This project was a very good experience for me
to really get to learn more about the artist, Louise Nevelson, who originally created the
assemblage. I'm very honored to have had the opportunity to make an altar for Selena
Quintanilla to respect the Day of the Dead.
“Janis Joplin: Flower in the Sun”
Caroline C.
Artist Statement:
I have always felt like Janis Joplin was a faraway sister to me, despite that she died almost 30 years before
I was born. I found Janis’s rebellious, creative nature reflected in me, and her music has carried me
through tough years and situations. She also instilled a desire in me to be a musician. So, who better to
pick than this wonderful woman? Though she described herself as a beatnik, not a hippie, she loved
beads, flowers, and richly-patterned fabrics. She was very influential in hippie fashion. Therefore, in front
of the main picture, you can find a smattering of bells and other embellishments. In the last year of her
life, she wore several feather boas in her hair; the outside of the altar is lined with one. Janis loved
jewelry, thus the bracelet and necklace. Bluebonnets symbolize both her “flower child” nature and her
Texas heritage, even though she hated Texas. Bottle caps and wine corks represent her love of alcohol.
Although her drug addictions were her downfall, Janis’s favorite pastime was drinking, and this altar is
about honoring who she was.
“Ray Charles: A Sightless Soul”
Noah B.
Artist Statement:
The person I chose to be remembered is Ray Charles Robinson, otherwise known as, simply,
Ray Charles. He was a great choice for me, not only because he was a musician who was blind,
but also because he is a major influence on all of the music we listen to today, mainly R&B.
The reason that his music is much more important than other artists in the 60’s-70’s was
because the music he made or produced wasn’t like anything that people had heard. He had
mixed gospel, blues, and soul, all into 1 genre. In my altar, I have a map of Georgia, the state
where he was born in. There is a pair of what his sunglasses might have looked like,
symbolizing his blindness. I have also attempted to make a piano because that was the
instrument that he had played.
“John Lennon: A Man for Peace”
Chelsea B.
Artist Statement:
I selected John Lennon, because of his beliefs and contribution to world peace that was such an
inspiration for many people across the world. Not only did he affect many, he was also one of the
members of my favorite band, The Beatles. I designed the altar in a way that represented his life, and
what he was like, while still including some of the cultures we learned about. In the altar, I included
chocolate cake and fruits because traditionally in Mexican altars they put food for the dead to enjoy. The
Sugar Skull, which is also in Mexican altars, represents the departed soul, while the marigolds represent
the impertinence of life. In addition, I placed candles to show the spirit guidance and light, faith and
hope as they do in the Japanese butsudan. The final Beatles album, Abbey Road, represents the major
influence music had on his life, and was the turning point of his life. After the release of the album,
John Lennon became interested in the peace movement and began his career as a solo artist. This project
was a challenge because there were many things I wanted to do while still accurately representing John
Lennon and including multiple cultures.
“John F. Kennedy: Inspiration to Millions”
Diego G.
Artist Statement:
John F. Kennedy was and is an inspiration to millions of Americans, and is definitely one to
me. I selected JFK because he makes me want to be accomplished and successful like he was
when he was young. I included a baseball, because he was an all-American icon, and baseball
is something most Americans can relate to. I put a candle into my remembrance to follow the
Japanese tradition of putting a candle in a butsudan.
“Loving Mother: Story of her Life”
Victoria L.
Artist Statement:
My assemblage is on my mother, Terry. She passed away on September 18, 2012. She was only 50 years of age. I
wanted to do the altar for my mother because she was an amazing person, and other people should enjoy how she was
and will always be in my heart. She was religious, kind, and never judged other people no matter what. She was a
military child who moved a lot, but the best places she stayed were Panama and San Antonio. She lived in Okinawa,
Japan so that's why there are some butsudan in my altar. Her picture had a ribbon around it and had incense in it to
show the Japanese culture. For the Mexican part, there is a rosary in it because they put Christian or spiritual things in
their altars. The background was hand painted by me, and it shows a metaphor that mother now lives in the clouds.
The artist stickers represent that she was an amazing artist when she was alive. The fish and underwater creatures
represent the ocean, and that was her favorite place to be. The things that say remember, cherish, world’s best mom,
happy, joy, dream, and inspire are all phrases that remind me of her. On the right side, outside of the box, has a lot of
50’s and those represent that she was only 50 years old when she passed. On the other side of the outside box, has
wedding stickers and a lot of 24’s. Those represent that she and my father have been married for 24 years. Most of
the box is purple because that used to be her favorite color.
“Kurt Cobain: A Musician At Rest”
Anthony O.
Artist Statement:
I chose Kurt Cobain for my remembrance box. Kurt Cobain was a lyric writer, singer, and
guitarist for his band Nirvana. In the Buddhist religion Nirvana is defined as “freedom from
pain, suffering and the external world”. I felt this band was very important to him so, I
included many items about Nirvana. I included albums by his band. I also included symbols
such as a pencil, music paper, and a guitar pick to symbolize him being a writer, singer, and
guitarist. I also included a cultural reference; the word “grunge” was a type of sound to
describe the type of sound his band performed, and Kurt was named the spokesperson of
the grunge sound that originated from Seattle, Washington.