I Am / I Could / I Should:
Understanding the Chameleon Metaphor
Strikingly as I began research in the past year, it became apparent that chameleons would serve as the perfect metaphor to visually explain the meaning of my dual identity. It is noted by scientific journals that the chameleon's "ability to exhibit striking changes in colour evolved as a strategy to facilitate social signaling and not, as popularly believed for camouflage."[1] In other words, chameleons are not trying to hide, but instead use color changes as a mode of communication. Similar to their ability to rapidly relocate their skin pigments, my chameleon-like capability allows me to morph into either social realm. Therefore, I can point out the dilemma I witness at the crossroads — the places where Hispanic and American cultures collide head-to-head and where stereotypes meet.
One of my attempts in this thesis is to visually answer the question "Who am I?" From one image to the next, one can see how I simultaneously plant one foot on each side of the crossroads. By standing at this intersection, I develop and enjoy the unique ability to be a cultural translator (see Idiosyncrasies). This allows me to quickly transfer information from one side to the next; switching between languages, cultural behaviors, and sometimes even physical appearance.
"I Am / I Could / I Should" is a visual study of how this metaphor applies to this thesis. I can change my personality and appearance with ease, morphing into a seemingly different character just like a chameleon. I present who "I Am", the regular me. In this case, I'm wearing a pink shirt with my everyday hair and makeup. Next, I portray the roles of two polar opposites — who "I Could" and who "I Should" be; two characters I do not consider "me" but who non-chameleons would expect me to be. Hispanics usually see me as American, but Americans would tend to see me as Hispanic. I have exaggerated these expected roles for various reasons.
On the surface, this study touches on the notion of stereotypes and challenges our own labeling practices within the United States. Upon further investigation, it emphasizes my ease of extreme morphing.
