Project 4
Using the thinking skill synthesis, I was able to evaluate the tattooing culture, identity, and ancient Polynesia. I was able to explain the relations and connections between tattoos and Polynesian culture. I was also able to reference how I identify myself and interwind it with tattoos and the Polynesian tattoo styles and symbols. I got the idea to create this project when I came across an article about cultural appropriation and these types of tattoos. I did this by creating a short story and tattoo designs inspired by my topic.
Art
For art, I created tattoo designs that had both a personal and Polynesian influence. I incorporated designs that I had learned about during research. In Polynesian culture, tattoos signified different things and had various meanings. For instance, the waves mean change in Polynesian culture. In my life recently, there has been a lot of changes. In the hibiscus flower design, I added waves to represent both of these things. Throughout the artwork, I continued to apply my circumstances and experiences along with Polynesian influence in order to create synthesis between the two topics that might seem different from each other. Using synthesis I fused together my personal ideas and feelings with Polynesian symbols.
English and Social Studies
This time around, I incorporated English and Social Studies together to create a product. I created a short story about a man telling his son about his tattoos in relation to his Polynesian roots as well as describe even American influence on identity. It uses synthesis to incorporate the ideas of cultural differences in regards to tattoos and relationship with ones self. It uses synthesis because it combines different ideas. It mixes non-fiction and fiction. It fuses together the idea of American and Polynesian influences in tattooing.