Chilean Art

          Chilean art seems like it has always had a message behind it.  It has been a way for Chilean artists to express their struggles and lives artistically.  Due to Chile's political history, a lot of art has a political message embedded in it.  Arpilleras are fabrics sewn together that were used during the '70s in Chile to represent what was going on during Pinochet's time of power.  Art is a way for people to express their moods and allows them to say more than sometimes even words can express.  Chileans use art to protest in their country.  One artist, Papa Fritas, stole debt documents of students at a university and set them on fire.  The University del Mar, has been having financial irregularities and students are in so much debt for trying to seek a higher education.  That is just like here in the United States.  People are making money off of students for trying to make a better life for themselves.  It is wrong and unjust.  I commend Fritas for burning those documents in protest.  Things need to change.  Students shouldn't be punished or taken advantage of for trying to go to school.  Countries should encourage and help their citizens be educated people.  This also just creates more of a gap between the rich and poor because only rich people can afford college.  It is very hard for poorer people to go because of financial issues.  Chilean art seems to change and reflect the time that it is made in.  It shows what is happening and important to the people of the time.
            I really hope to see the street art that was shown in the last video.  I think it's beautiful and I love graffiti because it comes from everyday artists.  I also think it just livens up the places it is painted in and gives it such character.  I thought Valparaiso was just breathtaking with all of the graffiti everywhere.