Omar Vazquez Period 2 9/9/12

Artist Statement for Mandala A Mandala is another artistic way to express ones being to the world, yet the design is so simple. Art much show a complex thought process, behind the actual piece itself. Thus, here I am to explain my Mandala, and its many pictures. Not only will this show a fraction of -- who I am, but also give many people inspiration to expose themselves. Not letting fear stop them from being who they are, because their unique traits are the sole reason we have art in the first place. 1. The 4 symbols of the triangle, circle, and x, are some of the buttons used for the Playstation consoles, which I grew up playing. This entire gaming company has developed me as a character, and not just figuratively. I began formatting much of pre-teen life like the video characters in many of my favorite games. 2. The picture of the yo-yo is very significant to me, and yet so childish to me at the same time. It was a fond memory finally being able to pull a yo-yo back up from gravity. I never knew how to use a yo-yo until my dad taught. Ever since, I see a yoyo and I want. 3. Who enjoys being isolated, when human instinct is to socialize as much as possible. Well, ever since I had a bad middle school experience, I want to be in my own comfort zone. Not allowing anything to interfere with my well being, yet till this day I cant have the normal life I desired back then. 4. Music is just another way I can express myself, by myself. It also comforts me in times of depression. Expressive, yet secretive -- now -- I like that. It can show the world, oh this dude is pretty chill. or we should not bother him. Its simple way to group me with friends, and remove me from potential enemies. 5. There is no way I could possibly ignore my heritage, its a part of who I am, but only when I was a kid I was brainwashed to follow traditions. Especially, the ones I disagree with to this day. Even though I disagree with the harshest of traditions, I am labeled with those as a stereotype. Sometimes I wish we didnt judge based on the negative, but on the positive. 6. Recently, in the past couple of years, I took origami as another form art expression, and I fully enjoy the way its structure and precision could lead to a wonderful toy made out of -- paper. It also shows money is not needed to have fun, and all it takes is a bit of dedication. 7. Nintendo was also another major gaming company that influenced the way I would see the world, because now I realized I had a fondness for questioning reality, digital reality. It made me a thinker. It made me break away from the brainwashing.

Omar Vazquez Period 2 9/9/12

8. In the 8th picture you could see a picture of a baby boar, but not a realistic picture, but of a recent anime Ive watched. This baby boar stars in the anime called Clannad, an incredible masterpiece created from the perfect combination of animation, plot, setting, and music. It taught me a valuable lesson, never regret your past, and never belittle yourself. 9. Pi, 3.1415926535897932384626, which is an irrational number, but who cares. To me, this symbolizes a great time when I finally realized my friends are true friends, who care about my interests as much as I do. Not only participate, but also share flaws with, just like the time -- my best friend -- screwed up when he recited the first 20 digits of Pi. Till this day we laugh at it, even though he gets embarrassed. 10. Technology by definition is the most recent tools constructed by up to date knowledge, and that technology is the computer, with its expansive internet. I have fully developed a way of life that uses the internet to advantages, and also entertainment. It shows that I am ready for the future, unless we have a huge power out that annihilates electricity, which is unlikely. 11. Its clearly a mindless zombie; I am pretty fond of this picture because it used to be me in the past. Representing the times when I just wanted to: wake up, survive the day, and then go back to sleep. I had no creativity at all, no free will. Luckily I broke away from that train wreck, and perspire to become a better person. 12. Everyone has their secrets, and mine is a creepy one. My eyes figuratively and literally need light to shine, but all I see is darkness. That is what I think to this day, and not because I think darkness is evil. Nothing like that all, its because I need darkness, and have too much light. I am not able to cry a single tear for another person, which I wish I could. The darkness will guide me to tragedy which I can finally have common stories to share. 13. Finally the middle picture is a setting I am working to see, mentally, economically, and physically. As we advance as a society we must sacrifice, but we are sacrificing nature herself. Being able to at least experience an area like the one in the picture would make my own soul feel in harmony. Imagine walking down a road filled with sakuras(Japanese for cherry tree) with no interference from negativity or corrupt industries with their big fancy factories. A place to be in touch with nature, and the color is a beauty to behold. These picture can bring up many memories, good and bad, thus allowing myself to see what I have become to this day. I would actually say Im proud of myself for a split second, but then I have still a long way to mature and grow. Looking back I do wish Ive

Omar Vazquez Period 2 9/9/12

done things differently, but this is me, a nature loving video gaming artistic nerd who questions reality itself. Which also makes me think of limitless possibilities of different paths I could have taken, which may sound scary, but to me is another way that makes me know Im human, a thinker.