march of america
This multi-media representation of The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, entitled March of America was completed by Vaudrey Carrillo, Tayah Groat, Kaylee Guessford, Lyn Mendlowitz, and Amber Swanick. This project represents five specific time periods spanning from 1492 to modern day, all showing some deeper aspect of that era. In order to complete this piece, each member created a balloon for one of the five eras and then transferred their computer drawing onto a section of canvas. Each balloon represents a specific time, an event, a balloon, the oppressor and the oppressed. After each section was transferred, the students painted to embellish the piece.
Manifest Destiny
The Manifest Destiny balloon is being led by Columbia, the symbol of the divine right given to the pioneers by God in order to move westward into the light and away from the dark. The Native Americans under her shadow represent the pioneers running the Native Americans out of their homes. |
Gilded Age
This part of the parade represents the Gilded Age. It is darker in color than the other sections to show the ominous mood of unfair treatment and nationwide oppression of workers. The balloon is a crowded, disgusting factory that casts a shadow over the workers that are grudgingly pulling the balloon along. |
Modern Day
This more current balloon is an apple with a worm coming out of it, representing technology turning society rotten. Those carrying the balloon are the youth that are no longer focused due to the distractions of the modern day technology. The bright and oddly colored surroundings represent the lightness and new ideas that the future brings. |