PROJECT ABOUT “LAS MENINAS DE CANIDO”
Vanessa, Alexandra & Adriana
TABLE OF CONTENTS ★ 1. Introduction. ★ 2. A short biography of Velazquez. ★ 3. A short description of “Las Meninas” by Velazquez. ★ 4. A newspaper article about “Las Meninas de Canido” (News / Feature Article). ★ 5. Our opinion about “Las Meninas de Canido” Project (Editorial). 5a. Our favourite “Menina”. 5a1. Reason/s why I chose that Menina. 5a2. Complete description. 5a3. Comparison with the Meninas by Velazquez. 5a4. Short biography of the author. ★ 6. Conclusion. ★ 7. Bibliography.
1. INTRODUCTION This second term project is about “Las Meninas de Canido”, which are in a district of Ferrol. We went on a trip to Canido, and our History teacher explained us the painting by Velazquez and the district ubication. During the visit each one of use chose a different Menina and then we analysed it. We also compared “Las Meninas de Canido” with the painting by Velazquez and then we interviewed Eduardo Hermida, who gave us some information about the authors that took part in this initiative. We did this project to know the culture that there is around us, taking advantage of the 10th. Anniversary of this extraordinary example of Street Art.
2. VELAZQUEZ BIOGRAPHY’S Diego Velazquez was born in 1599 in Sevilla and he died in 1660 in Madrid, he made his first paintings in the XVII century. He was the best spanish baroque painter because he used different types: religious, portrait… He was king Felipe IV’s painter. Besides painting “Las Meninas”, he did other pictures, for example: “La Venus del espejo”, “Felipe IV”, “Adoración de los Reyes Magos”...
3.MENINAS’ DESCRIPTION In “Las Meninas” we can see, on the left, Velazquez painting in one canvas and, by his side, “Las Meninas” with “The Infanta Margaret” and a dog. On the background we can see a mirror, where the picture that Velazquez is painting, is reflected. There is also a man, José Nieto, next to a door, we don’t know if he is coming into or leaving Velazquez's studio.
3.NEWS 01/04/2019
Project about “Las Meninas de Canido” The 3ºESO students of “IES de Fene” secondary school made a project about “Las Meninas de Canido” in the second term. Vanessa, Adriana & Alexandra - The 3ºESO students of “IES de Fene” secondary school started a project in the second term. It consisted of visiting Canido, a district of Ferrol to see “Las Meninas de Canido”. Each of them chose a Menina and then, they did an individual project where they explained why each one chose a different Menina. Then, they analysed and described the Meninas and then, they compared them with the painting by Velázquez. Later, they interviewed the creator of this initiative, Eduardo Hermida, and he gave them some information about the authors of the Meninas. Finally, at the end of the second term, the students presented their project in front of their schoolmates. We did this project to know the culture that there is around us, taking advantage of the 10th. Anniversary of this extraordinary example of Street Art.
3. EDITORIAL 01/04/2019
Our opinion about the initiative of “Las Meninas de Canido” We think that the initiative of “Las Meninas de Canido” is very original, because it’s innovative the idea of repairing a district with paintings that are connected one way or another with the picture by Velazquez. When we interviewed Eduardo Hermida, he said that he wanted to release “Las Meninas” from their “prison”, the museum. We think this initiative led the people to believe that art shouldn’t be only in museums and we can find it in the street.
5a.Our favorite menina 5A.1.1. Reason/s why I chose that menine. I chose these Meninas because when I saw the feminist symbol, I associated all of the picture with feminism. The picture could be a reference to the patriarchy, who are going to fall, where the catwoman symbolises feminism and, the insect, male chauvinism. The other Menina, could represent that superheroines also exist and that role isn’t only for men. The mathematical sums could mean that women can dedicate to sciencies too. In my opinion, to use street art is a good way to empower women and to give us more visibility.
5A.1.2. Complete description. On the foreground, on our left, we can see a man with short, straight, black hair. He has a moustache and a beard. His clothing has a red cross. We can’t know who drew that cross in the painting with certainty but it was painted to show that Velazquez was a member of the Order of Santiago. By his side, we can see a catwoman wearing glasses and her arms cut. She is grasping an insect with a skull in its body. By her side, there is a woman with her brain out of her head. She os ñevitating. Her clothing has the Batman symbol. We can see the lightnings which come from under her dress. She represents the infanta. They lead us a rooster. On the background, on our left, we can see mathematical sums and, on our right, the picture shows a painting and a man, José Nieto, who is opening a door. On his side, there is other catwoman wearing gloves.
5A.1.3. Comparison with the Meninas by Velázquez. The painting by Velázquez has ten characters and the Meninas of Canido include just seven. We can see that in both cases, on our left, Velazquez appears with the red cross in his clothing and, on the right, we find the same painting. We also see a man who is in an open door.
We can see a dog in the Meninas by Velázquez and, in the Meninas of Canido, we find a catwoman and a rooster.
5A.1.4. Short biography of the author. José Antonio Espinar was born in Alzira in 1970 and he is a Valencian painter, restorer and muralist. He studied on the Academy of San Carlos in Valencia and he started to paint his first murals in 1988, as a means of protest. He participated in the realization of murals and paintings in different districts.
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5A.2.1. Reason/s why I chose that Menina. I chose this Menina because It is very big and I like the colors. I love the color of the frame and I like the detail of the galaxy behind the Menina. Her dress and her flower are very beautiful. I think the painting expresses an open door to her dreams and ideas because in the middle of the head it hasn’t got the face and has got different galaxy colours and stars…
5A.2.2. Complete description. The Menina is very big and it is on a house wall. It has got blond hair with a small flower and it hasn’t got a face on the head. The face is above the hand. The dress is long and white and black spots with a big and pink flower in the middle. It has got a golden frame. Behind the Menina and in the middle of the head there are differents galaxy colours. Her hands are outside the frame of the painting.
5A.2.3. Comparison with the Meninas by Velázquez. This menina is the Infanta. In the Velazquez painting we can see the Infanta Margarita with the Meninas and in the Menina that I chose we can see only the Infanta. In the two paintings the Menina has got blond hair with a flower on her head, She has got a long white dress with a flower, but in the Menina of Canido the Infanta hasn't got her face in her head. Her face is above her right hand
5A.2.4. Short biography of the author. Sfhir was born in 1980 in Madrid, Spain He stars with the graffiti in 1995 with 14 years old. He stayed with 17 years in an artistic group “ La coma 7” with other 6 artists. He uses a polished detailed technique. He stopped using dynamism and spontaneity. In his paintings he combines graffitis with different tools (paint brush, rollers, sprays…) He uses mixed techniques and fire on wood His paintings are in different spanish cities and in other cities outside Spain. Finally, in 2008 he worked in an international artistic group “ OGT ”.
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5A.3.1. Reason/s why I chose that menine. I chose this Menina because I feel identified with it, I like very much computers and technology programs, and when I saw this Menina she captured my attention at the first moment. For me it transmits the message that women can make the same as men and it includes new things for society and that not only men can create things like a robot.
5A.3.2. Complete description. At first sight you a robot woman with a cube in her hans. When you focus more carefully in her head you can see a chimney and a hairband on her hair, her dress and her “skin” are made of metal and under her there is a binary code.
5A.3.3. Comparison with the Meninas by Velázquez. The type of painting is very different, “Las Meninas” has an old style, this is dark and serious, but “Las Meninas de Canido” has a modern style, the painting is colorful and flashy, also the type of clothes are similar, the dress is big and wide, also is gray and the dress of the picture is white, they both wear gloves.
The type of strokes are
different too, “Las Meninas” by Velazquez uses acrylic
painting and “Las Meninas de Canido” uses spray paint. Velazquez used a cold colour range and used the pure white without any mixing. The menina that I chose represents represent the princess.
5A.3.4. Short biography of the author. The name of the author is Mariela, she isn't a famous painter and she paints as a hobby. She’s a 20 year old artist She went to Canido in 2018 and painted her work.
4. CONCLUSION When we started the project we didn’t know the existence of “Las Meninas de Canido”, and while we did the project we got to know them. When we analysed the Meninas we discovered the message that each one hides behind the picture. We also learned that each one has a special and different way to see art. We think the project was funny because we didn’t work only in class we went on a trip to Canido too. It also helped us to work better in group. The worst part of the project for us was the theory, for example: we learned to write an article, to formulate questions to do an interview, to differentiate between good and bad journalism, to compare information...
5. BIBLIOGRAPHY Anonymous, “Arte informando”, Sfhir, Artista, [Accessed: 18/03/2019] https://www.arteinformado.com/guia/f/sfhir-175804 “Técnica”, Las Meninas, [Accessed: 18/02/2019] https://lasmeninasdiegovelazquez.wordpress.com/tecnica/
Anonymous, “Arte España”, Diego Velázquez. Biografía y Obra, information page [Accessed: 17/3/2019] https://www.arteespana.com/velazquez.htm Loly Lago, “Google Fotos”, Roteiro «As Meninas de Canido», page of photographs [Accessed:18/03/2019] http://afly.co/n5z Anonymous, Wikipedia, Diego Velázquez. Foto [Accessed: 18/03/2019] https://es.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diego_Vel%C3%A1zquez Anonymous, “Wikipedia”, Toni Espinar, information page, [Accessed:18/03/2019]
https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toni_Espinar Anonymous, “Wikipedia”, Las Meninas, information page, [Accessed:18/03/2019] https://es.m.wikipedia.org/wikAnonymoumeninas Anonymous, “Wikipedia”, Felipe IV, information page, [Accessed:18/03/2019] https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felipe_IV_(1626-1628) Anonymous, “Wikipedia”, La adoración de los Reyes magos, information page, [Accessed:18/03/2019] https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adoraci%C3%B3n_de_los_Reyes_Magos Anonymous, “Wikipedia”, Venus del Espejo, information page, [Accessed:18/03/2019] https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venus_del_espejo