Unit Objectives:
Understand the key themes in Judith Baca's work, including representation, social justice, and historical narratives.
Analyze the role of community engagement in creating public art, such as The Great Wall of Los Angeles.
Explore how art can challenge societal norms and bring awareness to historical erasure.
Expectations:
Clear and detailed notes that capture the key themes and ideas presented in the podcast.
Engaged participation in the group discussion, with thoughtful responses to the significance of The Great Wall of Los Angeles and its impact.
A well-written reflection that connects personal ideas to the themes of social justice and public art, demonstrating creativity and relevance to contemporary or historical events.
Overview: Judith Baca is a renowned Chicana artist and activist whose monumental murals, including The Great Wall of Los Angeles, have become powerful visual narratives of marginalized histories. Her work highlights the voices and stories of Latino, Black, and other underrepresented communities, blending art with activism to address issues of social justice, cultural identity, and historical erasure. Through community collaboration, Baca ensures her art not only reflects collective memory but also empowers those whose stories have been silenced. Her murals, often spanning hundreds of feet, serve as vibrant chronicles of resilience and solidarity.
In IB Language and Literature, Baca’s art offers rich opportunities for intertextual connections with other texts studied in class, particularly in exploring themes like identity, representation, and the struggle for equality. Her work complements the analysis of literary and non-literary texts in the IO, bridging visual and textual storytelling to deepen understanding of global issues.