Spanish 4 students embrace Mexican culture

The trip was supervised by Spanish 4 teachers Clare Ensenat and Laurel Orduna, and its goal was to help students reach their educational goals relating to immigration and the Mexican Revolution, as well as to understand the significance of an array of Mexican cultural perspectives around the aesthetic murals.

On the trip, students took self-tours through the alleys, which have now become a popular tour spot with their innovative wall paintings.

To develop a deep understanding of the murals, students completed an activity worksheet with discussion questions to learn about the context and visual elements of Mexican wall paintings.

Along the way, many students expressed their increased sensitivity in one of the most striking murals, “Blue Tears,” to learn about Mexican culture and politics through its historical context. At the same time, many of them remarked to have embraced their aesthetic perspective at understanding forms of visual art through its formal elements including line, color, movement, texture, light, shading, and subject matter.

The largest and most complex wall painting that muralist Diego Rivera created in San Francisco is the comprehensive marriage of the themes of Mexican artistry and US technology in “Pan-American Unity.”

The complex composition of “Pan-American Unity” requires explination; Rivera wrote notes on his blending of the arts of ancient Mexico, and the technology of modern United States.

Other portraits depicted include Frida Kahlo in Tehuantepec dress, Paulette Goddard and Charlie Chaplin in the movie The Great Dictator; Emmy Lou Packard, his assistant, U.S. inventors Henry Ford and Thomas Edison, American artist Albert P. Ryder, and artist-inventors Samuel Morse and Robert Fulton.

Students seem to have taken a lot away from the visit to San Francisco.

“Riding on BART, observing murals in San Francisco, and eating authentic Mexican food helped me to experience what we learned in class in a whole new way,” stated senior Clarisa Kusumonegoro.

“The trip wouldn’t have been the same without the food we indulged in though! Crispy churros were fantastic, the burritos dipped in salsa were amazing, and the beverages were unique and refreshing! If I were given the chance, I would definitely go again,” said Kusumonegoro.

“After having taken Spanish 4, I have a greater respect for the spanish culture and language. I particularly enjoyed the experience I gained from traveling to the Mission district of San Francisco and viewing the illustrative and creative murals,” said senior Devin Pon.