Acts of Resistance SP 2021: Artist(happiness) + Rudy ( selfie)

Thursday, February 4, 2021

Artist(happiness) + Rudy ( selfie)

Happiness is a feeling of pleasure and positivity. When someone feels good, proud, excited, relieved, or satisfied about something, that person is said to be "happy". Feeling happy may help people to relax and to smile. Happiness is usually thought of as the opposite of sadness.

What an extraordinary experience!!!! I held an infant crocodile!!!!

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FINAL INTERVENTION PROJECTS DUE 4/28:

Half of the class will present 4/28 and the other half will present on 5/12

*there is no mandatory class on 5/5 +++ Although I will hold our usually zoom meeting time if anyone would like to join to discuss their project or get feedback on their projects as they work to complete them to present on 5/12.

* Make sure to include some images in your post to illustrate your project. You should include images of your project itself in some way - or images that help explain your project.

Using all of the methods and issues we have discussed in class, design an art intervention that addresses a socio-political topic you have chosen that you are inspired to share, perform and/or distribute to an audience. Your art and activism projects must use the methods and ideas we learned in class of engaging an audience to raise awareness about your chosen topic. Your projects must live in the world outside of our class and be available to a larger audience. Your project can use any medium or method: performance, website, photograph, painting, interactive installation, land art, TV, podcast, music, video, event, workshop or any other forms we have discussed. Find several artists that help inspire your project and include them in your research.

For your final you must also create a written post about your project and present the project in a brief presentation "pitch" to the class in our online session.

WRITTEN POST ~600 words, 3 quotes from the class readings, ~5 inspirational artists/projects and 5 resources (articles, books, essays, etc.) that informed the project.

Create a written POST for your final project on the class blog that explains your project and includes a link (embedded) to the project. Due to our social isolation and lockdown, engagement is likely virtual. In the event your project does not exist virtually and cannot be linked. Explain how an audience can access it.

Prepare a succinct and exciting summary of the project that is clear and makes the class want to look further at your project and potentially share the project, promote it and even get involved. You must connect your project to the class readings and include 3 quotes from the class readings with citations. Explain how these ideas connect to or inspired your project.

In your writing summary please be sure to answer:

*What is your project? Why you have chosen this topic and form of outreach?

*What is your message for the audience? How did you reach an audience (ie "publish" the project)? How did the audience engage with the project? What feedback have you received?

*How does this project fit into your professional aspirations and your portfolio?

*What artists or other projects have influenced or inspired your own project? List 5+ artists that connect with your project with brief explanations of why they connect or inspired your own project.

*List 5+ resources that informed or inspired your project in a resource list at the end of your project summary.

(ONLINE) CLASS PRESENTATION "pitch" Be prepared to present your projects to the class in ~3 minute presentations in our online session. Visuals are a must. You will use the post you create to present to the class. Feel free to post many images to your post and the link to your project so we can open your project as you explain it. For those who create videos, you can choose what section of videos you will play (if longer than 3 minutes) to try to stick to the 3min time limit. You may choose to create a slide presentation to better explain your project during your presentation. These should be short and must also be online and linked from the final project post. Remember you are ”pitching” the project to the class. Prepare a clear and exciting presentation. Practice what you will say!

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Due Wednesday 4/21

Final Project "work-in-progress description due on the blog 4/21

Please create a short post that describes the final project idea, the issue you are addressing, the medium you have chosen and how you plan to reach an audience as well as the research (and inspiration) that you have found to inform the project. Please provide as many details as possible.
2-3 paragraphs and 2-3 images

(think of this as a draft of your final post)

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Due Wednesday 4/14

NO NEW READINGS DUE

Catch up on projects or assignments you are missing - scroll down and make sure you have completed everything

Activism and Art Writing Assignment due 4/14
Designing and connecting to your final intervention
Spend some time reading and thinking about what you would like to make for your FINAL INTERVENTION. Using the 'Interventionists' and other course readings as resources focus some research on the socio-political issue that you plan to address in your final project. Also think about HOW you would like to create the intervention. Be ambitious. Then choose 3-5 projects that intersect/address/critique this issue or use a technique that you will try to explore as well as intervention. Describe the various projects that you find inspiring and how they connect to your idea. You may use artists covered in the texts (at least 2 from the book) and feel free to use artists that you may find in your own research. How do the artists address the issue? What medium/media do they use? How do they engage an audience? Why are these challenges/critiques to these issues important? How is activism in art different from political activism outside of the art world? Use the readings extensively to help describe these projects, their critique of power and capitalist patriarchy and their place in a cultural and political landscape. You must include at least 3 quotes from (any of) the readings you have done for the class.

~600 words, 3-5 artist examples, 3+ images and 3+ quotes from the readings and 3+ links to outside sources (portfolio sites, gallery exhibitions, videos etc)

THIS ASSIGNMENT IS SEPARATE FROM YOUR FINAL INTERVENTION.

Extra credit artist talk on Zoom 3/31 4pm

Visiting artist Jaz Graf will be presenting on Zoom today at 4pm. For 2pts of extra credit please join the public zoom event. REGISTER FOR THE ARTIST TALK EVENT AT THIS LINK: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jaz-graf-virtual-art-talk-tickets-143767214609

On the blog write 3-4 sentences describing the work of the artists and some of the themes she discusses. Due 4/7 to receive the credit. This is completely optional and is extra credit only :)

Due Wednesday 4/7

READING: The Interventionists Chapter 3 Ready to Wear

2 quotes

*start noting artists that are inspiring or interesting from the text and the class discussions and readings.

(extra credit *see syllabus) Two tweets/IG posts with the hashtag #actsofresistanceAIP
Choose two articles, artworks, portfolios or any other information that addresses art as activism, political action, protest art or any resource you feel intersects with the materials we explore in class. Share two (or more) resources to twitter or IG using our hashtag.

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Due Wednesday 3/31

READING: The Interventionists Chapter 2 Reclaiming the Streets

2 quotes

INTERVENTION 3 PERFORMANCE/PROTEST

Prepare an action in person or online that draws attention to a pressing issue of your choice. This can be a performance, animation, poster or series of posters that engage people in real time and space. Look to the Guerrilla Girls and the artists in our text, The Interventionists, for inspiration. Some ideas to consider: Create a "super hero" that takes people to get vaccines and helps them get groceries etc, play an "influencer" on social media that makes the language and actions of anti-racism accessible, create a socially distanced protest or parade around your neighborhood to support dreamers, call friends and neighbors and engage them in a public action/mural/performance, document the performance as photographs or video, have a zoom party to celebrate...get creative! Look to artists and activists to inspire you.

In a short piece of writing 2-3 paragraphs (~200 words) explain why this issue is important and why raising awareness and creating advocacy can help inspire and motivate people to seek justice and make change. Use 1+ quote from the Guerrilla Girls or The Interventionists book to help explain how artists and interventions like: performances, protests and actions help raise awareness on many issues including the importance of representation in art.

+++MAKE SURE TO COMPLETE ALL PROJECTS DUE below on 3/17!

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HAVE A SAFE SPRING BREAK!!

-no class Wednesday 3/10

Due Wednesday 3/17

READINGS:
Guerrilla Girls book (entire book)
2 quotes ++In addition to 2 quotes also choose 2 projects/posters (include images) that stood out to you. Write a few sentences about each one.
POST YOUR QUOTES AND PROJECT(S) RESPONSE ON THE BLOG
++If you were unable to get the book: visit the Guerrilla Girls website (https://www.guerrillagirls.com/) and explore the many projects and pages on the site to complete the assignment -share 2 quotes and 2 posters on the blog (see above).

COMPLETE YOUR INTERVENTION 2 POSTER (see below was due 3/3)

WATCH at least one ART/ARTIST DOCUMENTARY of your choosing - below are a few lists with excellent examples to choose from.

+Write 2 paragraphs about the documentary, what you learned and how it can inspire art activism (even if the art/artist was not specifically activist). Include a few images to help illustrate the content of the film. POST YOUR RESPONSE ON THE BLOG

The Ultimate List of Artist Documentaries You Have To Watch

https://www.widewalls.ch/magazine/best-artist-documentaries

10 Inspiring Activism Documentaries to Re-energize Your Fight for Change

https://www.sundance.org/blogs/now-playing/10-inspiring-activism-documentaries-to-re-energize-your-fight-for-change

(extra credit *see syllabus) Two tweets/IG posts with the hashtag #actsofresistanceAIP

Choose two articles, artworks, portfolios or any other information that addresses art as activism, political action, protest art or any resource you feel intersects with the materials we explore in class. Share two (or more) resources to twitter or IG using our hashtag.

-no class Wednesday 3/10 SPRING BREAK

______________________

Due Wednesday 3/3

READINGS:
The Interventionists, Chapter 4 The Experimental University

INTERVENTION 2: POSTER
Inspired by our readings and the posters illustrated in the Signs of Resistance chapters create a poster(s) that acts as protest. How can we use signs to inspire advocacy in others? Use the readings on the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Lives Matter movement, potentially the largest movement in history to inspire your own protest. As we continue to face this global pandemic, address this moment with your own act of protest in the form of a sign. Choose an issue(s) that is the most important to you. You must create a physical poster and share it in some way. Place it in a public place, carry it as a sign of resistance and raising awareness, put it outside for others to read, etc.

Take good clear images of your poster(s) and its place in public and post it on the blog with a brief explanation of the sign, your intentions and your thoughts about signs and protest. Use the readings to help you connect your sign to the history of protest. Include at least two quotes from the readings. ~400+ words

(extra credit *see syllabus) Two tweets/IG posts with the hashtag #actsofresistanceAIP
Choose two articles, artworks, portfolios or any other information that addresses art as activism, political action, protest art or any resource you feel intersects with the materials we explore in class. Share two (or more) resources to twitter or IG using our hashtag.

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Due Wednesday 2/24

READINGS:

On Blackboard Siegler "Signs of Resistance" pdf under 'Content' on blackboard

2 quotes (for discussion/not required to post to blog)

Online articles Background on Black Lives Matter| Harvard Gazette 2015

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2015/11/background-on-black-lives-matter/

2 quotes (for discussion/not required to post to blog)

Black Lives Matter May Be the Largest Movement in U.S. History | NYTimes | July 3, 2020

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/07/03/us/george-floyd-protests-crowd-size.html

2 quotes (for class discussion/not required to post to blog)

SHORT ESSAY ASSIGNMENT due 2/24

In a ~800 word essay use the readings in the class thus far to help form an analysis of the book, This is What I Know About Art, by Kimberly Drew. How does her autobiographical story help illustrate some of the themes and issues we have been discussing? Use some of the other projects and readings we have seen so far to connect to her activism and her journey. What moments in her book felt particularly pivotal and meaningful to you? Share these in your essay. Explain why these where important. What quotes from her writing stuck out to you and why?

Using her story as inspiration, think about a way that you can insert or use activism and art in your own professional aspirations? How can activism become a meaningful part of your own professional journey? Explain this in a few paragraphs in your essay. Be sure to use the readings (Kimberly Drew Book, article about her book and any previous reading we have done in the course that you found connected to her writing) and cite the quotes (author, page) from the readings in your essay. Edit your work and be sure to include the sources at the bottom of your essay in a short works cited. Use a few images of examples to illustrate your writing.

(extra credit *see syllabus) Two tweets/IG posts with the hashtag #actsofresistanceAIP

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Due Wednesday 2/17

READINGS:

entire book This Is What I Know About Art by Kimberly Drew

4 quotes

Los Angeles Times Book Review: @museummammy knows a thing or two about art. Listen up

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-06-19/museummammy-kimberly-drew-book

2 Quotes

Look at:

Kimberly Drew's blog on tumblr: https://blackcontemporaryart.tumblr.com/

her instagram: @museummammy

Watch:

How Black Contemporary Art's Founder Kimberly Drew Amplifies Black Artists | SEEN | NowThis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FWK-fP9t0s

Intervention Project - Meme as Protest Art

(due 2/17)

Create a series of 3 memes that all speak to the same issue or are related in some way. Think of these as personal expressions of your own politics or passions. Choose an issue(s) that you are passionate about creating advocacy for and addressing to your own friends and family. The meme can be seen as a political art expression. Use the form of the meme to create this kind of intervention. Post the 3 memes to the blog with a 2-3 paragraph explanation of why you chose this content and how the meme can be political art. Use the readings to help your explanation. Include 2+ quotes from the readings the in your post. **It is not necessary to include Kimberly Drew quotes here. Use the previous readings from the class up until 'meme as protest' articles for the quotes you connect to your memes.

(extra credit *see syllabus) Two tweets/IG posts with the hashtag #actsofresistanceAIP

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Due Wednesday 2/10

READINGS:

The Interventionists, Chapter 1 Nomads

How Memes Are Making Protest Art More Powerful

https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-memes-making-protest-art-powerful

Memes Are Our Generation's Protest Art

https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/mbzxa3/memes-are-our-generations-protest-art

++Writing +image response (due 2/10)

Post your 4 quotes (Sontag and Berger) to the blog. Select a photograph that you feel illustrates an idea from the reading. Explain how the photograph is connected to the quote/idea (1~2 paragraphs). It can be your own image, historic or otherwise published. Please credit the image appropriately.

(extra credit *see syllabus) Two tweets/IG posts with the hashtag #actsofresistanceAIP

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Due Wednesday 2/3

READINGS:

John Berger Ways of Seeing Ch7 on BLACKBOARD

2 quotes

Susan Sontag excerpt from On Photography

http://www.susansontag.com/SusanSontag/books/onPhotographyExerpt.shtml

2 quotes

WATCH:

Documentary Ways of Seeing

from BBC and John Berger

on youtube (4 episodes)

Ep 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pDE4VX_9Kk

Ep 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1GI8mNU5Sg

Ep 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7wi8jd7aC4

Ep 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jTUebm73IY

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Due Wednesday 1/27

REVIEW THE SYLLABUS (linked below)

READINGS:

The Interventionists, Trespassing Towards Relevance pg 48-53 in the pdf version online http://www.gregorysholette.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Interventionists_03_14_041.pdf

2 quotes

and

bell hooks Understanding Patriarchy (ON BLACKBOARD)

2 quotes

ARTIST + SELF Introduction Post on the blog:

Find and research an artist whose work you find is a form of activism. Choose one artwork that particularly inspires you. Create a digital selfie (of you) that is inspired in some way by this artist/discovery. Write two paragraphs about yourself and how you were inspired by the artist you chose. Have fun!

GET THE BOOKS

This is What I Know About Art by Kimberly Drew, Penguin Workshop, New York 2020

The Interventionists: Users’ Manual for the Creative Disruption of Everyday Lives edited by Nato Thomson and Gregory Sholette, MIT Press, Cambridge 2004 (only used copies available. Also available online as a pdf at: http://www.gregorysholette.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Interventionists_03_14_041.pdf)

Confessions of the Guerrilla Girls by the Guerrilla Girls, HarperCollins, New York 1995

(only used copies available)

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Link to our twitter hashtag: #actsofresistanceAIP

Discussion guidelines

The course material and discussions can often be provocative and challenging. We must therefore be careful to be respectful of each other and of our viewpoints.

We must come to class prepared and ready to discuss the readings. Please keep discussions focused on the readings and class materials and keep examples relevant and appropriate. If you have not done the readings you are not to participate in the discussion.

VIDEOS TO CONNECT TO CLASS READINGS