JOSE RAFAEL HERNANDEZ

VISUAL ARTS DEPARTMENT

"WASHINGTON/WABASH"

CREATED IN: 2020
MATERIALS: Fabric, Thread, Block Printing, Ribbon, Embroidery Thread, Balsa Wood, Watercolor Paint, India Ink
DIMENSIONS: 5'9" x 2'5" x 1'10" Feet

“WASHINGTON/WABASH” is essentially an amalgamation of all my art forms executed at Dreyfoos: Fashion, “Architecture,” Design, etc. The piece is meant to represent not only what is now conceivably my “past,” but my inherent future; as pertaining to location, career exploration, and the using of these now learned skills to enhance (and hopefully excel) in my future projects.

Originally, I had a variety of concepts I wanted to execute. Most of these ideas were obviously grandiose, but filled with no genuine form of passion; just an ill “formal” intent of a final “goodbye” to a place that did truly allow me to grow artistically. I came about the concept of “WASHINGTON/WABASH” after visiting my birth city - Chicago - to tour "The School of the Art Institute of Chicago" -- where I shall be attending post-Dreyfoos. Prior to my visiting, I felt blocked, not just in artistic terms, but in terms of reality. The past years have been rather conflicting in terms of what I deemed as possible for myself due to many “environmental factors.” I was in a physical and mental position where I had disconnected myself from the idea of what a “dream” really was; I grounded myself to the point where, despite the way I may have displayed myself, I truly no longer comprehended what it meant to feel truly “giddy” or to truly radiate “exuberance” from within. I’m not saying the trip was particularly “life-changing,” but the fact I was actually on a plane despite many non-physical adversaries, the fact I was traveling somewhere I had placed in the restricted section of my memories that I still have not fully pried and might never will, the fact I finally felt I was somewhere I wanted to be was, simply put, “refreshing.”

The piece itself was - quite literally - fabricated the way most of my favorite works are, questionably; but more precisely, multiple long nights where I use my lack of a sleep schedule, and the motivation instilled by this “midnight tranquility,” to execute and transform each separate element. At first, it was simply meant to be a “tapestry” of sorts created by the “Block-Printed” patterning of Chicago buildings: the “Sharp Building” - SAIC's freshman hub of sorts (the back panel) - heading North to the "WASHINGTON/WABASH - L Train Station" (the attached blue sculpture). I once again hit a block with this concept, seeing as I wanted a stronger sense of interaction with the work. Thanks to COVID-19, a controversial opinion, I was able to transform my work into a garment incorporating all my finished textiles -- and other elements planned for in original concepts (lack of time constraints). The work itself is entirely handcrafted - despite the weaving of the fabric obviously - and represents me in terms of not only what I currently would like to learn/pursue - fashion design - but as stated before, encompasses all the skills and techniques I have explored here at Dreyfoos and physically represents the place of my past I shall once finally be able to experience as the place of my future.

I am EXTREMELY EXCITED for what is to come, as shown by the vividness of my new favorite color (Yellow), and just ready to know how my work now grows as I progress artistically, and commercially.

DEAR CLASS OF 2020 ...

No matter how many times I’ll say it, I will always hate this place; I will absolutely abhor it for everything that I will soon realize was truly wonderful, joyful, “happy” you might say, that it truly did gift me with.

Dreyfoos was an experience I never fathomed of, a place whose existence sprouted to me when at one of the lowest points of my current - historical - 18 years of life. The year prior to my joining of the school, I had experienced one of my most drastic changes to date: I was placed in a reality I had always considered a getaway, and it forced itself upon me as my new home. This physical shift disintegrated the future I thought was within reach, the future I was expecting to experience with so many who I, personally, continue to remember as they were -- with space for the obvious recognition of who they are now. The year in between my arrival at the school was rather dull. I was at a new middle school at the most pinnacle moment of what I conceivably consider the “tween years” (8th grade). I knew nobody, nobody knew me, and my right to art was stripped. I felt rather lost - not just in terms of where I was, but as well as in the losing of everything I knew and had. This, this loss, set my eyes on my entry at Dreyfoos as my only way to return to what I had been forced to abandon: art.

Needless to say, the past 4 years have been great overall. I’ve been able to grow both artistically and in maturity due to not only the physical environment, but due to the most essential component that creates it: the people. Although I will admit to taking the school for granted at times, my allowance to continue, explore, further understand this passion as part of the school, my being surrounded by others in similar pursuits, similar motivations in their own forms of expression, is something I will always appreciate. This school has allowed me to realize what my next necessary steps are to continue understanding both myself, and what it is exactly that I can and want to present to the world. I by no means am instigating a global conquest, but the world I will allow myself to reach through whatever methods it results from; just as I have here. It is no lie when Dreyfoos is listed under the category of a “safe haven,” it not only allows for greater expression, but for greater facilitation of what so many of us shall both continue and stray away from as time breaks our current chains.

I’d like to thank everyone for my experience at not only Dreyfoos, but as part of the Class of 2020; a year that will definitely be in the history books of the world and Dreyfoos alike: for its many firsts and lasts of staff, students, and experiences. No matter where we ended, we all had a beginning and made the best of the in between. So, as we strive towards our own unique and separate futures, let's relive the "in between" as we await for our new beginnings.

DEAR CLASS OF 2021...

Although this is formally addressed to the current “rising” seniors, I welcome anyone to read whatever advice I have decided to share for your impending end of the “high school” experience -- seeing as preparation is key to thrive (Britany, Melanie, Jessica, etc.).

Hey Class of 2021!!! You're finally near the end of all the “suffering,” and the blissful times, you forced upon yourself for this very moment: College Apps. I know most of you are stressed about what the future looks like with Bright Futures qualifications rising, and the current competitive edge needed with the application pool growing due to our current “situation” (@Corona). But fear not, because besides the oncoming avalanche of writing and filling out the same 20+ questions over and over again, it will all be over faster than you think it will. Honestly, I’m just gonna bullet point tips as they arrive in my mind in no particular order so it’s easier to read:

Set up your Common App account ASAP. Most of you might be bored enough to do this for fun, but even though applications don't open till the fall, setting up your account is the first step to allowing you to ease into “Senior Year” once the writing commences. Creating an account also allows you to view select prompts preparing you for what exactly your “Common App Essay” will encompass; and or what select schools may ask of you for their own individual analysis -- yes, most schools have separate essays you have to provide as well.
Ask for “Rec Letters” NOW!!! Do NOT wait until 2 weeks before the deadline for any school or scholarship to ask your teacher for a letter of recommendation - or anyone to begin with - ask them NOW. This should be easier for those of you who find it “awkward” to talk to someone in person, seeing as now you are forced to email them due to quarantine. Yes, you’re probably wondering why you should tell them prior to knowing what schools you’re applying to etc. WELL, because it is important to warn your teacher so they have an understanding of just how many recommendations they will have to write in the first months of school -- depending on not only your earliest deadline, but everyone else's too. Of course, don’t go asking every teacher you’ve ever had for one; especially since it is known that Junior year ACADEMIC teachers are preferable. But, you also don’t want to make them write another letter about how “great” you may be, seeing as they ARE HUMAN too and you honestly don’t need more than 2 total (surprising I know).

> [You also will need letter of recommendation from your guidance counselor so watch out for that].

Plan out your “Common App Essay.” (This is obviously assuming you will be using Common App as your main form of applying to schools). When planning out your essay, make sure to not only diversify yourself from other candidates, but refrain from repeating what you have already inserted in your “Resume” / "Activities" section. This essay WILL make or break you, it is typically a deciding factor regardless of your “stats” and is just as important as your “hobbies” and the “effect on your community” you demonstrate. Essays in general, in college applications, are meant to give you a voice; they are meant to allow the reader to not only understand who you are as a person, but how you are in terms of expressing “you.” Although it is important to be “formal” do not be afraid of addressing topics that you believe have affected you in a positive way. For example, do not write about how you got your first B this year and then worked hard to get an A the next quarter - unless your essay somehow is a giant metaphor for this topic rather than a direct mentioning of it - but instead focus on something unique and personal you have risen from. When writing this story of triumph, make sure to sprinkle hints to other attributes or likes you have, but definitely do NOT extend the “sad” part of the story only to reveal the “GREAT!” ending in the conclusion; write about progression, the fight and your spirit against the malice you dealt with. These essays do not have to be direct, if anything mine was indirect at most points which is why I decided to create a more “factual” version under the “Additional Information” category. Overall, just have fun with the essay. It really can be as simple as comparing yourself to the tile floor of your home and the way “temperature” affects how you - the tile - feel tactilely; temperature being symbolism for a person, event, weather, or anything. Just have fun, but be SMART about it. If you want to see how I created my essay, feel free to reach out because I have a whole folder of docs showing my abstract thoughts and attempts prior to my “final” essay -- also included.

> [Also, make sure to allow others to blindly read your essay. A blind showing provides you with key insight on how your writing is received by a general crowd and what edits you should make for “sound,” technical, or just the overall vibe of what you have written].

I don't really wanna rant any longer seeing as many other letters can possibly recommend a multitude of advice I could just repeat, but these tips are the most important to ME; the ones that allowed ME to understand more about how “Senior Year” really is all about YOU -- it is YOUR future YOU are creating, NOT someone else's. Advice is advice, but doing the work for someone else, or them holding you back from what could be is purely unacceptable.

- JOSE RAFAEL HERNANDEZ

(P.S. Hi Carolina, Maya, Sonya, Leedia, Julia ;) - I highly doubt Cade will see this - #CLAMANTHASTANS4LYFE / find the gravitational acceleration of my Physics grade... o.0)

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