Chapter 6 of Borderlands

[Daniel Yarnell]

After reading Chapter 6, The Path of the Red and Black Ink, how does art play a role in race and culture, in terms of societal oppression? On page 91, it reads that "images are more direct, more immediate than words, and closer to the unconscious." If images are so strong, and if it does hold true that "pictures are worth 1,000 words," then does art in fact act as a form of language?  

[iversonm]

I think the way she considers art ties closely to the notion of language in pure terms of expression. In this sense, art can definitely function as a sort of language in and of itself. Where language can be limiting--as Anzaldua discusses in the earlier chapters--art offers as form of expression that transcends the boundaries of spoken word. In terms of art's function in regards to race and culture, the art of a specific culture is just as representative of the members of that culture as their language is. Art can easily operate as a means of exploring one's racial identity, revealing it visually, creating a reflection of the artist in the art itself.

[Katherine]

I believe that art is a form of cultural language or of personal/ expressive language. It is a physical canvas that expresses thoughts, emotions and in some ways personal understands by the creator. Art, whether it be in the form of canvas, literature, music, etc. does play a role in race and culture, as it serves to express the ideology of the artist his/herself, and thus it often involve roots and cultural overtones.

[godleskim]

Art is able to define and express an entire culture, based simply on the style that was used upon the canvas, the medium that was used, the image that was expressed or the message that was created. Art acts as a language because it is able to express a single person's views, or those of an entire culture. So personally, yes, I believe that art is a form of language. I'm not sure if art can be considered an oppressor, but I believe that it depicts the historical or emotional events that occur during times of oppression.

[aropa]

I would argue that art is a form of language in this case.  Art at least according to Anzaldua is indeed a form of communication, a language, a living thing, much like a person. All art created and seen by her people is not an inert object, but a living thing, whereas in western culture (the culture that we live in) it tends to be something that is dead and valued as a commodity rather than a spiritual one. 

[xiey]

Art, culture, language, and religion, all of them are affected by each other in the process of developing and forming. I think here the book mainly focuses on the relationship between art and language because it is the most evident and persuasive by showing author's self experience with writing and drawing. Compare with language, image actually hold a more universal way of expression which can be understood by people from different countries; therefore, it definitely attains a similar goal with language - capability of communication. 

[Aleasha Andrews]

I feel as though art is an expression of ones, culture, language, and history. this being said I do believe that she allows for art to play a large role in understanding ones placement in society and how that effects those living in the society. I would also agree that art is a form of language, it is speaking the history and the culture of those in the community 

[Tyler Manning]

I believe art is indeed a form of language in that it is an expression that represents the unique qualities of a certain culture. Art, like words, can depict the thoughts and experiences of anyone who chooses to express their ideas in such a way that others can enjoy and reflect on their work. In the quote that Daniel provided, it seems to me as if Anzaldua could be relating the idea of images to actual experiences to say that words can only do so much in telling a story.