Conjunto

Conjunto music is a fusion both historically and musically. Its musical roots are found in European styles as well as Mexican styles, and the history of the people who listen to it is spread across the border between the United States and Mexico. They are both American and Mexican, and so is their music. These people are called Tejanos, and their music is called conjunto. They were both born in the land of Texas. They are part of the cultural makeup of the state and its colorful history.

This music is different from other genres in terms of its listening base, because those who listen to it are Americans who speak Spanish. They were originally farm workers and immigrants, but now they are working class and above. Conjunto has evolved to meet the standard of the modern age, but there still is a stem of Conjunto that stays true to its roots. This is the very characteristic that has helped preserve Conjunto, and the accordion is the heart and sole of this music. Conjunto has risen in status throughout its existence do to its adaptability, but it has remained alive, thanks to its originality. I was very surprised to learn that Conjunto is native to Texas. I had always been under the impression that it was from Mexico.

The consistent fan base is very important to any music industry. The loyal followers of Conjunto are to be credited more then any other contributor. They have remained faithful for all of these years, and continue to love the art in its original form. Even though it has had its triumphs and defeats, Conjunto will always live on in the heart of its people. -284 words

3D Walks & Crosses

I chose sculptures because of the tangibility that they possess. They are false representation in a factual world. These works of art are three-dimensional like our world, but non-living unlike us. A sculpture is a form in which dimension can take life, no longer bound by the frame and canvass. I chose sculptures simply because they are more emotionally accessible.

The first sculpture I would like to examine is of a series of metal squares which are suspended by small beams that link them one to another. They rise above the water of a pond and rotate in a free range of motion. Every which way they turn the light dances off of their metallic faces. Their lack of coherency was both chaotic and relaxing. The artist utilized the color factor greatly to enhance the sculptures life. The silver tint was just the right shade. It was not to mirror-like, and neither was it to dull.

Line was even evident in the artist conceptive mind when he created such an exquisite piece. The squares have all been pressed over with a metallic brush which has given them a beautiful swirl effect. It also served the purpose of dulling the mirror-like surface. This particular piece also had a definite shape. Obviously it was a square which seemed to give it the appearance of stepping stones suspended in the air. I was very intrigued by this as well as a little tempted to run on them to get across the pond.

The metal squares also required an immense balance system. Each individual square had to weigh the exact same amount. Balance was much needed, thus bringing Symmetry. This aspect of symmetry did help to give a chaotic piece of art a very orderly existence. Lastly rhythm was king. Rhythm was literally at work, giving the piece life. It was like a spring shower’s song lightly dancing along.

My second sculpture is a cross which has more than four directions. This multifaceted piece of art is breath taking to gaze upon. The sheer gargantuan size of this monolith is dumbfounding. Standing about fifteen feet tall, it is utterly incapable of being ignored. The substance of which the cross is constructed is most definitely metal, just as were the squares. Immoveable it stands as a beacon in the sea of grass that surrounds it.

Black was the color that the artist chose for his work. It is an excellent color for adsorbing light. This choice in color made it draw on the light and life around it, causing all the attention to be gravitated as well. Shape was still very evident in this piece as well, due to the fact that this was assembled from blocks. Strangely enough, this makes me come to the conclusion that this must have been assembled by a giant child playing with his Lego set. Because of the titanic weight of the piece and the fact that it was being balanced on one block; the piece required precise balance. Symmetry once again followed suit and fell into line. This served to give the piece a more commanding and respectable presence. Finally, rhythm played a part, and gave its low blown bass note to grant the three-dimensional black block cross its existence.

Overall, both pieces were exquisite and marvelous. Each one presented its own questions to ponder. Both triggered memories and associated themselves with other objects. All that is required of art is to make you think, and these sculptures did just that!

Mr. Fat Head

The stone head featured in this picture is of Mayan design. It is located in a park across from La Vita and nearly under the Hemisphere Tower. These locations are all in downtown San Antonio, where art is always on display.

Color is a very defining feature in art, and is often used to give special effect. The colors used on the Mayan head are those of the natural stone. These colors serve to give it the look of ancients. To the naked eye it looks as if it has been sitting there for hundreds of years.

Shape or form of an object may contribute to the purpose or feeling of the piece of art. In the case of the Mayan head, form is most definitely utilized to give it some purpose. The obvious form is a man’s head and the purpose is to commemorate. These huge heads were once carved and erected to commemorate important and notable Mayan people.

Balance is painfully evident in this piece of art because if it were not the head would simply topple over. This sculpture has a wide top, thus requiring a wide bottom to securely support the load. Mayan head is a very steady piece that has been created wide from the top to the bottom and everything in between. He is built from a rock, like a rock.

There are some pieces that are purposefully created without symmetry and they are titled asymmetrical, but “Mr. Fat Head” is not so. He is imperfectly symmetrical. All that was carried out to one side of the face has been carefully correlated on the other. It is not atomically accurate, but it will do. He is certainly more symmetrical than most of us.

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The Blue Oh

The article Rip Van River coupled with my visit to The Blue Hole, have served to give me a new perspective on the San Antonio River’s place of origin. Located on the campus of the University of Incarnate Word, this beautiful natural flowing spring has given its life blood to the communities of San Antonio for centuries. The Blue Hole is both powerful and majestic. San Antonio is truly blessed to receive its services.

Back in the nineteenth century The Blue Hole was praised by men like Sidney Lanier and Alex E. Sweet for being a well-spring of life whose waters were constantly being born anew. Sadly, as time went on (around the 1950s) the head waters would go into a deep sleep that would devastate the agricultural community in the area. Over time the inhabitants of the land came to the realization that the headwaters often napped. They would come and go with the change in the aquifers water level. This characteristic of the spring gave it the name “Sleeping Beauty” and “Rip Van River.”

As time went on The Blue Hole grew in renown and the land around it began to change owners. One of these “savvy” owners was a man by the name of George Washington Brackenridge. He had fallen in love with the enchanting cradle of life, and also desired to exploit it for its precious natural resource. Brackenridge quickly founded the San Antonio Water Works and began to cash in on his new treasure trove. Almost instinctively The Blue Hole began to shut its mouth and the water ceased to flow out. Then Bracken, sensing defeat reluctantly, sold the land to the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. This was the first step taken down the road of that would lead to the eventual construction of the University of the Incarnate Word.

Near the closing of 1991 “Sleeping Beauty” awoke out of her slumber as if she was kissed by her prince, and by 1992 was running though the fields. In June the Edwards Aquifer surged to an all time high of 703 feet above sea level. The San Antonio River overstepped its boundaries throughout its course, but it was still a welcomed change. Since then it has been up and down, but we have all grown to love its peculiar little quirks.

This weekend I was fortunate enough to visit The Blue Hole in person. I was blown away by its natural beauty. Never have I had the opportunity to visit the birth place of my SA River which I love so much. My adventure started when I arrived on campus looking for the fable “Blue Hole”. I promptly asked one of the students to direct me to the Blue Hole, but sadly he new nothing of it. Instead of being discouraged I searched out the visitor’s center and acquired the directions I needed. As I was following the direction I encountered some more challenges in finding its exact location, and almost as if an answer to prayer I was approached by an elderly nun. She quickly directed me to the site and even came by later to give me additional information on The Blue Hole. I was both captivated and spellbound by its beauty and chant. I will most definitely be returning.
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