Ethnography- Madam Tussands

The chosen space that I did for my ethnography research was at the Madam Tussands wax museum in Hollywood, CA. I never have been to this museum or a wax museum at that. I always heard from people that it is really fun to go to and the wax figures look so real. I wanted to go to a place that was different and being in the heart of Hollywood, I knew I would see something different and exciting. So I am glad that I chose this place as my ethnography research.

            Before you enter to go see all the wax figures, you might see one of the figures outside the museum to give you a sneak pick of what is coming inside. One of the employees at the entrance lets you know the rules about touching the figures. When I was walking towards the elevators, I say a figure of Joan Rivers, who is one of the hosts on Fashion Police, letting us know to take a lot of pictures. The “tour” starts on the third floor and when the elevator opened it felt like a party inside. On this floor, it was dedicated to entertainers and singers such as Justin Bieber, Justin Timberlake, Brad Pitt, and Simon Cowell. The space had disco balls on the ceiling and the color scheme had purple and red tones. I like how they had a certain spot for these wax figures to enhance the room. What stood out to me was the Justin Bieber figure on the stage because it was the new figure they had in the museum and to me it showed that he is the most important celebrity right now. It was funny how they had Jennifer Aniston on one side of the floor and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie on the other side. It reminded of their situation that they had together.

            The second floor was dedicated to popular actors in the movies. The whole space felt like I was part in the movies. Right when you walk in, it was dedicated to actors during the silent movies such as Charlie Chaplin and Marlene Dietrich. People used the props that were given to them to use to take pictures with certain figures. You felt like you was one of the actors in the movies. There were certain figures that if you sat next to them, their voice will be heard and it feels like you were interacting with them in conversation. While I was walking through the attraction, I went through different genres and popular movies in movie history. I felt like I was in a western movie, with the decorations and the famous actors who were part of those movies such as Clint Eastwood or John Wayne. Then it took me to the suspense and drama movies. I recognize the movie the Godfather and Silence of the Lambs. The mood and the darkness help create this type of environment so the guests can be a part of those movies. The museum had a section just for sports and the pop icons of the decades. Towards the end of the attraction, the museum had a section where they showed the guests the process of making these celebrities. They also had a way for the guest to have their own hands wax to keep but of course you had to pay for it. It was pretty cool that I have my exact hands as a wax now and it makes remember the fun time I had at the museum.

            What I learn going through the museum is that people in Los Angeles is obsess with celebrities and treat them as Gods. It shows that L.A. is the entertainment city to see famous stars and go see the best movies. I knew that people love to be around celebrities and want to take pictures with them but I don’t get why we have to have a whole museum of wax figures of them. I like how the museum showcases how the people in L.A. love and cherish these people. To the guests, even though we might not meet our favorite celebrity in person, at least they can take a picture of the fake one that looks exactly like the celebrity.

   

Unveling of Justin Bieber figure: http://youtu.be/1cUOClOgFQY

Another City

The essay that my group was assigned was "Minnie Riperton Saved My Life" by Luis Alfaro. The author talks about his life in Los Angeles and how his love for soul music that help him be himself. He talks about how his parents are still living the way that they used to live when they live in the central valley and how it embarass him a lot. He also talks about how these musicans such as Marvin Gaye or Barry White made him feel good inside. But when he listen to Minnie Riperton, something about her voice and her song, lights him up inside. I really like reading the essay because he talks about how that it is hard sometimes to show people the real you and how it gaves an insight of how some mexicans might go through when they moved into a new surrounding. I also like how he love to listen to blues music. I never thought someone who is young and can really understand the music.

What I understand in this essay is the way he compares the music from the blues and the mexican music his culture listens to. They both have a common themes about "missing a home, land, and a man" (pg.15). I also understand how it is hard to be your true self but have to change for other people so you won't get made fun of. Another thing that I understand about this essay is that sometimes our parents might not be able to leave who they are behind and be something just because of where they live. The only thing I question about this essay is how does Minnie Riperton saved his life. I don't know if he mention it about how she does it but I don't see it at all in the essay.

Public Space Cluster

The cluster that my group worked on was public space. The first thing that came in my groups mind is that public space has an impact on our emotions. Also, public space can shape us of who we are and also change us to be accepted in that certain public space. Even though we do not realize that people can act different or change who they are in certain public space but also makes us wonder.

After I read the two stories and looked at the two pictures in the public spaces cluster, I agree that different public space does have some impact in our lives. For example, when we attend a funeral, with just the surrounding, we feel sad and helpless in a way. The picture of the empty airport on page 329, makes you feel scare and lonely. I believe also that public spaces shows how people perceive others and also makes us change in order to be accepted in a particular space.

The essay that I analyze and like the most was Brent Staples's personal essay on page 331. He talks about how being in a space changes people perception of him just because he is African American. People have that perception that all black man are "muggers, rapist, or worse" (pg. 331). When he talks about how a white woman started looking back at him with a worried look on her face and started running so she wont get hurt. It gives African American the ideal that they will always be known as something bad and never good. At the end of the essay, Staples had to change who he is so he won't make himself as a threat to people. As you can see, public spaces changes people so they can please other people and they can't be who they are as a person.