But at the heart and, most importantly, it analyzes how a single individual can have multiple facets; how we, as individuals, are constantly adapting to social environments; how there is no such thing as being a flat out "Hispanic" or "American"; and how at the root both groups are virtually the same human beings. This study literally connects the two sides we think are permanently disjoint.
The research is presented in the form of a flipbook containing over 260 self-portraits, and it is one of three parts to this project. The other two components are in the form of 6 photographs and a video. In the case of this flipbook, the change of identities can be "read" from left to right, or from right to left, by simply flipping the book and switching the direction of the transformation at either end. The book gives one complete control over the rate of change. The six photographs show my physical transformation from one extreme to the other in just one second. It opens the opportunity to look deeper and admire the details of each persona — something that perhaps is not as evident in the flipbook or the video. The video offers a prolonged self-transformation using photos that flicker in a stop-motion style from one extreme to the next. Sometimes they repeat quickly or come to complete halt. The overarching intent of all three parts is to force one to feel the chameleon's self-confusion, imperfections, dilemmas, chaos, excitement, curiosity, awkwardnesses, and nuances.
Having a new understanding of the situation, the pitfalls of cultural stereotyping should be avoided. First, one cannot judge someone by their appearance. As the project shows, digging a little deeper may uncover commonalities. Second, the tools for adaptation have been provided so it no longer matters from which direction one arrives at the crossroads. Lastly, by witnessing how I can have multiple facets, one will realize how we have more in common than previously believed.
1: Stuart-Fox, D., & Moussalli, A. (2008). Selection for social signaling drives the evolution of chameleon colour change. Public Library of Science Biology, 6, e25.
The Making
This project is in response to the question of, "Where do I stand?" The title of my thesis, "From Both Sides", refers to a place and as the author it is important to explain what this two-sided locality means and my role within it. On one side, are Hispanics, the biggest minority group in the United States. On the other side are Americans. Once the definitions are established, I have to figure out where I stand. Do I gravitate towards one more than the other, or do I move from one side to the next constantly?
In examining my role within the context of this thesis, it became clear that I do not consider myself Hispanic or American. I knew this from the start since I thought my neutral role, in response to my identity, was key in my work; but I was unaware of just how far this really could go. This visual study shows both sides and proves who "I Am" and where I live. The neutral "me" lives in the "between" space where Hispanics and Americans come together, what I call the crossroads.
Defining these two extremes was a difficult task. It is virtually impossible to say what an American woman ought to be. The same can be said of Hispanic females — although I have sadly discovered this later stereotype to be more widely accepted. I began by looking at Google images and searching terms like "American woman","Hispanic", and "Latina". The results were more consistent for "Latina". But I pushed the search further to see if I could define a stereotype and to do so, my term had to be more specific.
