Project Objective: The Vector Graphics project was to create a cultural art poster utilizing only vector shapes, gradients, solid colors, text, and patterns. The actual name of the culture could not be part of the text, but rather a statement or saying that would relate to the culture of focus. Layers, adjustment layers, masking, clipping masks, painting, etc. are of course required for the project.
The Mayan Culture
Artist Statement: Sharing my excitement and enthusiasm for the the Mayan culture and Mesoamerica in general is my main objective with the project. The project hopefully will represent the beauty and unique qualities of the Mayan style of expression in their daily lives, and educate the viewer to the rare and beautiful style of this mysterious culture.
Historic Overview: The ancient Maya inhabited the areas which are today known as Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. The Mayan civilization began to decline and ended around 900 ad. But did it really "end?" Famine, environmental degradation, wars, drought, and disease are all attributed to the abandonment of entire cities and communities. However, the aforementioned countries continue to thrive with Mayan traditions, religious practices, foods, the arts, languages, and a general way of life that has been practiced for millennia. Modern day science acknowledges the contributions of the Maya with architecture, astronomy, mathematics (especially the concept of the zero) agriculture, and engineering.
Personal History with the Mayan culture: After living and working in Ecuador, South America, for 2.5 years, I grew to love and appreciate the indigenous cultures of the region as well as Central America. After traveling extensively, I won a "Lilly Teacher Creativity" grant. My proposal was to travel to Mexico and Guatemala, stay with Mayan families whenever possible, write and photograph the experience, and develop cross-cultural curricula to incorporate into my Spanish classroom. The experience allowed me to go deeper into understanding the beliefs, practices, and the daily lives of the Mayan people. It was literally a life-changing experience that was a difficult journey, but extremely worth it.
Inspirations: Inspiration is everywhere within the Mayan culture. It is literally woven, painted, and carved within the architecture, ceramics, weaving of traditional clothing/hats, and jewelry. Holidays are a special time to showcase the outstanding artistic traditions of flower petal carpets in the streets, processions with carved sculptures, woven tapestries, and stone carving. The tradition of weaving is especially important to the Maya, especially women. The women wear a woven tunic top called a "huipil." Each huipil has a different design and color palette based on the village or area of the person's origin. It is accompanied by an embroidered belt and loom-woven skirt. It is astonishing that these traditions and designs have survived for millennia, and are still utilized today. The survival of these designs also carries over into pottery, architecture, jewelry, and more.
Design Elements: Color palettes can range from earth tones such as cream, beige, olive, orange, and black to bright mixes of all colors of the rainbow, especially in the clothing of the women. Designs almost exclusively are drawn from nature, and one can see all types of flora and fauna in painted designs on pottery, and woven into clothing. It's not uncommon to see stars, suns, moons, lightning, rain, clouds, plants, insects, animals, and geometric patterns in all types of weavings. The Maya also utilize a glyph style of visual writing that has survived due to being carved into architectural details and walls. These glyphs continue on today in the visual arts, and more recently are being taught in schools.
Present Day: The Mayan culture is under tremendous pressure with social issues such as drug trafficking, civil unrest, bigotry and intolerance, and abject poverty. The internet and cell phones have dramatically impacted this culture that had, up until recent years, been more isolated from mainstream culture. The loss of traditions, and especially the 23 Mayan languages that have survived, is of great concern to anthropologists and scientists.
