Self: I as Image Fall 2018

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Mickalene Thomas

https://www.mickalenethomas.com/

Mickalene Thomas, Portrait of Mnonja, 2010

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm3XvKd_KPs

Le Déjeuner Sur L'herbe: Les Trois Femmes Noires 2010
Installation view of On-Site 3: Mickalene Thomas at MoMA PS1

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIZnKgAqh_k

A Little Taste Outside of Love, 2007

Explore: https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/5044

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Due Wednesday 12/5

*FINAL PROJECTS in progress

**Remember to connect your project to a work in the gallery exhibition we visited, Mirror, Mirror. I would like you to explain this connection in class and briefly in your final project post.

Bring you work in progress to class on 12/5 to explore for your final project. Bring sketches, inspiration and writing that we can discuss in preparation for your final project. I will be checking in with each of you to see what you have made so far for your final portrait. If you cannot bring your project to class please bring materials and components that you can work on during class and images of your project in progress to show in class. You can begin drafting your final project post if you would like any feedback.

OPTIONAL BONUS SELFIE: Post a selfie that is a sketch or inspiration for your final project in progress. Explain very briefly in a couple sentences how this connects to your final project in progress. This will count as a bonus selfie but is not mandatory.

Two tweets with the hashtag #selfiasimage

**FINAL PROJECTS DUE on the blog and in class 12/12

Choosing any one or combination of processes that you have explored during the semester, create a self portrait. Connect your final self portrait project to one of the artists and the readings we learned in class since the midterm. Incorporate and be inspired by the the spectacle, media, advertising and technology in the exploration and presentation of self. Through an oral and visual presentation of your work, explain the following to the class:

• What is the subject of your project?

• What is the content of your project?

• Why did you make the choices that led to the composition?

• Explain the process and steps you went through and why you made those decisions.

• How you would categorize your work (ex. collage, graphic print, mixed media, etc).

• What artists or works are appropriate to compare your work to and/or have influenced our work?

• What do you think this self portrait conveys to the audience?

• What are the differences between your first self-portrait (midterm) and this self-portrait (final)?

• What influenced these changes?

• How does the media and its images influence identity and self presentation?

• What is the spectacle? How does it function today?

• In what ways does your project address or exist in the spectacle?

You must document the project and post one or more well lit and edited images of your project to the blog along with a written assignment answering the above questions. The writing portion should be 600+ words and explain your process, your inspirations and influences and must also reference the class readings. Incorporate at least 3 of the quotes you have been collecting from the readings each week. Be sure to cite the quotations and include those references at the bottom of your post.

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Due Wednesday 11/28

GALLERY TRIP!!!

We will be visiting the Main Gallery of the Paul Robeson Galleries at Rutgers Newark (Express Newark, 54 Halsey Street, 3rd floor Newark, NJ) on Wednesday 11/28. You can meet us at the gallery at 11am or you can meet in our classroom at 9:55am if you need a ride to the gallery. Everyone must attend the trip. If you miss the trip you must complete the writing assignment, POST 3, in order to gain the 5% credit of the trip/assignment. See below for writing assignment details.

WEEKLY SELFIE: Create a weekly selfie inspired by the ideas in the chapter you read from Society of the Spectacle and by the work of Shantell Martin. Use the theories of the spectacle and the techniques and works of Shantell Martin to inspire a digital selfie drawing. Your must include at least one quote from the Society of the Spectacle that relates to your selfie.

Two tweets with the hashtag #selfiasimage

***EXTRA CREDIT you can chose to complete Post 3 due 12/12 for up to 5% extra credit

Exploring Art Experiences/Gallery Visit

Write a short response about the exhibition Mirror, Mirror.

What are some themes of the exhibition?
How do the artists address identity and the self?
What are some critiques of self, identity and perception?
Describe at least two projects in detail and explain how the projects represent self?
What are the artists and curators telling the gallery or museum audience?
How do the artists approach the presentation of self and self portraiture?

~600 words. EDIT your writing. Include at least 3 images of the projects you chose and the gallery space (use images you took when available) and 2 links to information about the works you chose. Reference the class readings (Finkelstein and Berger) in answering the questions and include at least two citations of the readings in your short essay.

_______________________

Due Wednesday 11/21

We will be meeting in the classroom

2 READINGS ONLINE:

From Guy Debord's Society of the Spectacle (first published 1967):

1-Debord, First Chapter (1977 translation) OR (2002 translation)

2-Recent Article in Hyperallergic Magazine:

https://hyperallergic.com/313435/an-illustrated-guide-to-guy-debords-the-society-of-the-spectacle/

QUICK WRITING ASSIGNMENT TO HAND-IN Please choose 5 quotes from the Guy Debord reading above and explain them. Number the quote and write out your explanation of each. This can be highly theoretical. Do your best! What you think it means is important! I will be collecting these 5 explanations. Please have them ready to hand in at the beginning of class.

WEEKLY SELFIE: Weekly Selfie inspired by the single story and the work of Wangechi Mutu. Please look at the collage work of Wangechi Mutu in various media including her videos. Create a selfie inspired by her work that uses digital collage elements and tells a larger story of who you are. If you are ambitious create a short video.

The Danger of the Single Story talk by Chimamanda Adichie video we saw in class:

https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story

Wangechi Mutu videos we saw in class:

except from her piece 'The End of Eating Everything'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMZSCfqOxVs

Interview with Wangechi Mutu and Santigold

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XczdrcLUxMA&t=8s

Wangechi Mutu on her work more generally and on TEoEE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvGcO73MM-I

Two tweets with the hashtag #selfiasimage

________________________

Due Wednesday 11/14

We will be meeting in the classroom!!

REVIEW the READINGS:

Finkelstein, Chapter 4+5 pgs 148-216

John Berger Ch 7

Prepare 2 Quotes for each reading TO HAND IN!!

WEEKLY SELFIE: Using the class readings, the documentary we saw in class and the drawing exercise we did in class, create a digital selfie that explores your self identity inspired by the work of Jean Michel Basquiat.

Documentary: The Radiant Child https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjm1pijMKp4

Two tweets with the hashtag #selfiasimage

___________________

Due Wednesday 11/7

READINGS: Finkelstein, Chapter 4+5 pgs 148-216

John Berger Ch 7

WEEKLY SELFIE: In response to the documentary that you watched in class about Andy Warhol (please watch again both PART 1 and PART 2 at these links for more examples and inspiration) please create one or several selfies inspired by his work. Please explore and address several themes that Andy Warhol addressed in his work and that you feel his work illustrates. Use your list of 15 words as a beginning to explore some ideas in more depth. Explore his work online and look at the Andy Warhol Foundation and Museum websites for more examples and details of his work. Write a short (1-2 paragraph) explanation of how your selfie(s) is inspired by Andy Warhol and connects to our readings (Finkelstein book) about self invention. Please include at least one quote from the readings (from Finkelstein Chs 3, 4 or 5).

EDIT POST 2

Group 5 presents

Two tweets with the hashtag #selfiasimage

_________________

Due Wednesday 10/31

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

(costumes highly encouraged)

READINGS: Finkelstein, Chapter 3 pgs 121-144

POST 2 Ana/Andy

Compare the work of Andy Warhol and Ana Mendieta. What are some prevalent themes in each of their work. What influence may their biographies have on their works? How did their lived experience and their self identities influence the way they made art, the subjects of their work and their own presence in their works (self portraits)? Did these artists become synonymous with their work? How did fame play a role in their work and their lives? How did each of the artists use materials and technique to address some of these themes? How were the materials and techniques themselves important to the subjects they depicted?

Did these artists invent themselves or their public selves through the presentation of these works? Use Berger, Finkelstein and any other additional sources to help you answer these questions. You must cite at least 4 references (quotes) from your class readings in your essay.

~1000 words. Please use proper citation style and put a 'works cited' at the bottom of your post listing our two class texts as well as any other sources you cite from. Include at least 4 images/examples of the artists work.

Group 4 presents

Two tweets with the hashtag #selfiasimage

_____________________

Due Wednesday 10/24

READINGS: Finkelstein, Chapter 2 Manners pgs. 75-117

John Berger Chapters 4+5

2 quotes from each reading

WEEKLY SELFIE: Write down 15 words that describe the work of Ana Mendieta. Use your list of 15 words about Mendieta's work as a beginning to explore these ideas in more depth. In response to the short videos we watched about Ana Mendieta, create a digital selfie exploring themes of body, nature and homeland. Look at her work online and use your list of words about her work to help design your selfie.

Group 3 presents

Two tweets with the hashtag #selfiasimage

________________

Due Wednesday 10/17

READINGS - REVIEW:

John Berger Chapters 2+3
On Blackboard: bell hooks, Understanding Patriarchy and The Oppositional Gaze
(We will finally be properly reviewing these readings in class)

FIX YOUR MIDTERM POSTS (before Saturday 10/13):

make sure your image of your project is strong. Read through the assignment for the midterm post below and be sure that you answered the questions. Be sure to list and include an image of the artist(s) that helped influence your piece. EDIT your writing! Make references to the themes we have discussed from the readings we have done for the class.

No weekly selfie

In class we will finish up Midterm presentations on 10/17*

Group 2 presents

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Due Wednesday 10/10

*MIDTERMS due 10/10* see below

READINGS:

John Berger Chapters 2+3

On Blackboard: bell hooks, Understanding Patriarchy and The Oppositional Gaze

Weekly Selfie: Create a selfie that works out some of the ideas of your midterm project. Use a digital selfie to illustrate the direction you have chosen to take your midterm. Think of this as a sketch or adjacent project to your midterm self portrait.

Two tweets with the hashtag #selfiasimage

Due Wednesday 10/10

MIDTERM PROJECTS and Presentations in class

Please bring completed projects to class as well as posting the project to the blog with a short writing assignment. See below for details.

Using processes including collage, assemblage, drawing and painting each student will compose an image that captures a self-portrait. Projects must be well thought out and made. Please be prepared to spend time on these projects. They should reflect thoughtful planning, research and lots of time and energy in the production. Please be prepared to address the meaning behind your self portrait, any artists that have inspired you and why you have chosen the materials and the subject matter to represent yourself. In written form in a short post on the blog please describe your project, post a photograph of it and address the following questions:

• What is the subject of your image?

• What is the content of your image?

• Why did you make the choices that led to the composition?

• What do you think this image conveys to the viewers?

• What artists have influenced your self portrait?

• What techniques have you used to create your self portrait?

• Why and how does this project represent you?

You will present your piece in front of the class in a 3 minute presentation using your post on the blog and your project and we will have a group critique and discussion addressing the questions above.

Good luck!

___________________

Due Wednesday 9/26

READINGS:

Joanne Finkelstein, Chapter 1 pgs 42-72

John Berger Ways of Seeing Ch 1

(two quotes for each)

Weekly Selfie Autobiography and Place

Using the work and biography of Frida Kahlo as inspiration please create a selfie that is autobiographical and also speaks to a place or environment you consider "home".

Biography of Frida Kahlo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROAH9LQecyc

MIDTERM project in progress. Bring in pieces and ideas in progress for your midterm self portrait collage. Read the description of the midterm assignment on the syllabus. Look at examples of artist portraiture and collage online and in books for inspiration. You can begin with this list: http://www.anothermag.com/art-photography/3318/top-10-collage-artists-hannah-hoch-to-man-ray

Two tweets with the hashtag #selfiasimage

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Due Wednesday 9/19

READINGS:

Finkelstein, Introduction pgs 1-36

2 Quotes

Weekly Selfie - Manufactured reality

Create a selfie inspired by the Susan Sontag reading On Photography. Choose a quote from the reading and include it in your post with your selfie and a brief description of your interpretation of the quote. 1 paragraph.

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

Two tweets with the hashtag #selfiasimage

Due Wednesday 9/12

GET THE BOOKS!!

The Art of Self Invention by Joanne Finkelstein, I.B. Tauris, London: 2007

Ways of Seeing by John Berger, British Broadcasting Corporation and Penguin Books: New York 1990

Post 1/Weekly selfie in response to the readings

Create a quick digital selfie/self portrait that is informed or inspired by the ideas you read in the reading linked below and by the work of the artist Cindy Sherman and Mickalene Thomas. Use the ideas from the readings and the work you saw in the documentary about the artist and her process in creating these self portraits to help you design and create a selfie. Please write a short post on the blog of 3-5 paragraphs about your selfie, the readings and the documentary film. You must include your selfie in the post and you must include at least one link to an external resource or example of some kind.

WATCH:

Cindy Sherman, Nobody is Here But Me, 1994

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXKNuWtXZ_U

Mickalene Thomas: Interview with Institute of Contemporary Art ICA Teens

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3E1niqEVlQ&t=364s

Mickalene Thomas: Studio visit Bloudin ARTINFO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2tJKAfyVhs

Mickalene Thomas: Portrait of Mnonja: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm3XvKd_KPs

Mickalene Thomas: SAM Dejuneur: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIZnKgAqh_k

READINGS ONLINE:

Susan Sontag excerpt from On Photography

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

2 QUOTES

Mickalene Thomas - I Can't See You Without Me

https://www.wexarts.org/exhibitions/mickalene-thomas-i-cant-see-you-without-me

2 QUOTES

Mickalene Thomas -Photographed, Collaged and Painted Muses

https://hyperallergic.com/278045/the-photographed-collaged-and-painted-muses-of-mickalene-thomas/

2 QUOTES

The Cindy Sherman Effect

http://www.artnews.com/2012/02/14/the-cindy-sherman-effect/

2 QUOTES

Galleries of Work:

Mickalene Thomas

https://www.mickalenethomas.com/

Intro to Cindy Sherman MoMA http://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/1154?locale=en

Image Gallery and the marketplace: https://www.artsy.net/artist/cindy-sherman

Two tweets with the hashtag #selfiasimage

______________________

Link to the Syllabus

Link to Class screenings

Link to our twitter hashtag: #selfiasimage

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.