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All in all, I really enjoyed this class. I really love how the class combined the culture and history of Mexico and art, two of my interests. I also loved my research paper topic. I thought it combined a lot of issues we discussed in class, such as authorization of art, and also gave me a chance to learn more about my home. 

Even past this class, I feel I have already begun to continue to explore the questions we have asked throughout the course to real life. The other day, I was discussing with a studio art major senior here about the purpose of art and what is considered art. We talked about the event where a man dropped his glasses in the Modern Museum of Art and everyone thought his glasses were one of the exhibitions. She mentioned that she has noticed that those were are more outspoken receive more recognition for their artwork during critiques. She also talked about her struggle with artists who put meaning into their art versus those who do not or those who just make up a story after they have made their piece.

I also recently attended a performance for a music composition class. The six students in the class composed a piece that was performed in Rollins Chapel. For some of them, a string trio performed the piece, using unconventional methods to make sound with their instruments. For others, students used video game music to create a piece. And finally, two students had a performing art piece. During the two pieces, I recalled what we talked about in class with performing art.

I feel that I will continue to draw from what we have learned in our class and continue to see that in real life. When I go to Montreal, I hope to view the street art there and apply what I have learned. I also hope that when I return home, I will revisit University Avenue and Clarion Alley and view these streets with a new eye. 

During my final draft, I pieced together my research on Palo Alto with my research on San Francisco, which I focused on in my third response paper. I expanded my points and research on both and compared the two cities. 

Again, I changed my topic a little bit by shifting the focus from how the cities shape the art to who controls the art in these two cities. I believe that in Palo Alto, the art belongs to the government rather than the artist. In San Francisco, the art belongs to the original artist. 

I also added more to my essay after talking with my professor about my rough draft. He suggested I include more information about Los Tres Grandes in California and more background on mural art in California. I did more research in the two book sources I have by Drescher and Lee, which focus on the history of mural art in San Francisco. In my research paper, I added a paragraph about Rivera’s influence on mural art and about how he lead the path to more controversial art in San Francisco. I also talked about community art, which they mention in Drescher’s book, and how community art is specific and tailored towards a community whereas public art is more broad.