The Banana Mush

  Where Have I Been?  What Have I Been Up To Lately?  An update on my life & the unfortunate events.    By yours truly, Karla.  A year ago I promised myself to remain creative. But, a year passed, and today I find myself relearning the idea of embracing creativeness. What happened in between today and the day I promised myself 364 days ago that resulted in me losing my liking of producing artsy content? I had fallen into a well of emotions from built up trauma. The universe had introduced me to the challenges that redirected my mind, body, and soul energy. Most of these issues were critical to my well-being. Self-hatred towards myself physically enticed me to introduce myself into eating disorders and excessive alcohol use in the midst of the physical issues. I hurt past friends emotionally unintentionally and eventually lost friends as well. My living situation throughout the year wasn't stable because of financial deprivat...

Sacramento native, Zoe Alcalde, adjusts to the sunny and busy streets of Long Beach, transitioning her Bay Area life to So-Cal living. Her long-awaited move has given her an insight into the new cultures that are prominent on the beach side of the LA area. The prominent cultures that Long Beach is known for revolves around the terminology of street sports: skateboarding, and rollerskating. In regards to rollerskating, the participation in a sport with rising popularity can be seen along the streets of Long Beach. It can be seen on the paved pathways through Belmont Shore Beach or the uneven sidewalks of the traffic-heavy 7th street. A famous rollerskating club, the Moxi Skate team, has been featured in media platforms like Youtube and is well-known among the rollerskating community. "Way more people [roller] skate here for sure," states Zoe. Alcalde recognizes the difference in the physical environment when it comes to skating on the streets. Its ...

Self-help books have been a gateway to mind liberation for me these past few years to achieve tranquility. The likely outcome of inner peace these books claim and the elimination of harmful thinking and discouragement, encourage me to invest in these "non-FDA" approved books. I pick up books which claim to resolve relationship issues and unhappiness because I strive to achieve some enlightenment in these categories. Long awaited epiphanies that I as a 20-year-old or as my 40-year-old mind per say, feed off of and crave for in self-development. I still find myself to possess the mental hardships going into reading these therapeutic books, however. Take in mind; I read a book about "Latinas in love" which explicitly talks about the ways Latino culture can embed certain restrictions in relationships structures in individuals--romantic relationships. The conservative thought process in Latino culture, the binary matrimony, reinforces the limitation of da...

The first rainfall had hit Los Angeles on a Wednesday, unfavorable weather to the lovers of the warmth (extreme warmth) which Southern California inherits.  I, on the other hand, enticed by the gloom of the weather and moody humans made my way to the Annenberg Space for Photography in Downtown Los Angeles.  This creative space holds the photography of freelancers that test their skills in uncomfortable situations or new areas.  Photographers such as Elliot Erwitt, Leysis Quesada, Ra ú l C a ñ ibano, and Tria Giovan explored the culture of the Cuban island, whether if the subjects or areas were on or off the island.  The Cuban culture was photographed in over 120 photos by a variety of photographers other than the ones previously listed. The rebellious youth of Cuba known as "Los Frikis" and "Chonga girls" were the highlighted subjects of the exhibits due to the current reality of Cuba in which youth direct themselves to alcoho...

During Ruth Weisberg's, the first Jewish woman artist in the Art Association, schooling years at the University of Michigan. A visible discouragement by school faculty especially male professors towards women artist in her class was seen through her schooling years. The women in her class were discouraged from getting MFA degrees since they were destined to be according to the professors at the time, "housewives." "I knew it wasn't the case, but we couldn't argue with them," stated Ruth. Currently, the Jewish community especially women are faced with an issue from the current Trump Administration’s display of anti-Semitism and anti-Women rights. Women reproductive rights attacked through settled laws diminishing abortion clinics and available resources for safe intercourse is worrisome. Weisberg’s work highlights the values of culture and femininity, enlightening communities to be self-aware of their power of togetherness and values as indiv...

A "self- exploration" day in Los Angeles on a gloomy Sunday began at the Hammer Museum--affiliated with UCLA. It had been advertised online via the Hammer website that the museum was holding an exhibition on Latin American art based off of the critical period of Latina women encompassing the development of contemporary art. The art which reflected the political and social tensions during the rise of attention towards patriarchy and the politicization of the feminine body. The dictatorship of various Latin American countries is seen to be exhibited in the contemporary art as well. Walking into the museum, the self-portrait of Liliana Porter (pictured above) brought the attention of many. People stood in front of the self-portrait in awe, the composition of the photo and the drawn square on Porter's face distinguished it from any other portrait. The "enclosed" eye symbolizes the objectification of the parts of an individuals body, the importance of...

Success and Order. American Beauty; the "Best Picture," "Best Film," "Best Original Screenplay," and "Best Cinematography" according to the 72nd Academy Awards, highlights the value of life. The uncomfortable film through Lester's midlife crisis motive and people involved in his daily life, interpret the various ways individuals cherish life:  Carolyn- American dream Angela- Image Colonel- Structure, and order Lester- Pleasure Ricky- Seeing the beauty in every moment-- detail & individuality Jane- Being loved, sincerity, and attention Despite the apparent values in each character; their internal needs contradict these values. Consider Ricky's dad, Colonel Fitts, who values tradition and order and later is shown to seek a romantic partnership with a male counterpart internally. A relationship structure which he bashes various times throughout the movie, especially with the gay neighbors. The tagline ...