SJSU Public Art as Catalyst for Sociocultural Transformation Questions – Description
Question 1 (short answer):
Marlon Riggs’s film, Ethnic Notions, documents racist stereotypes in U.S. art and culture. The information Riggs provides on the trope of Uncle Tom sheds light on Wright’s title, Uncle Tom’s Children. What is an Uncle Tom according to Riggs and what might Wright be saying when he uses the trope in the title of his literary collection? Remember, Wright’s collection is considered the first work of protest literature by an African-American author. Who are Uncle Tom’s “children”? Why are they protesting? In order to consider this you’ll need to look up additional info on the original novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe.
Question 2 (essay question)
Perhaps one of the best examples we have had all semester of the arts being contested sites of cultural production is the current discourse and civil action around public art and what it means in the U.S. at this contemporary historical moment. 1) We’ve seen the Confederate Flag and Confederate monuments, as well as other historical monuments, be toppled or removed by organizations, local governments and/or protesters. 2) We’ve seen new murals spring up around the country related to the Black Lives Matter protests and George Floyd’s murder that mark public space in a particular kind of way. And 3) we’ve seen spontaneous murals be painted across U.S. city streets themselves and in key strategic places. The former President also spoke out on the public art question, protecting certain works as part of American heritage. In an essay, discuss at least one work from each of the categories above, (be specific with the name, location, folks or groups involved, etc.–the who, what, when, where, and why) as well as Trump’s response. We’ve also seen Native American artists like Nicholas Galanin use monumental public works to make claims about the Land Back movement. Temporary public art exhibitions like Desert X are also popular and useful in making certain kinds of critiques. What is your thesis statement about the role of public art at THIS precise historical moment? What is at stake and for whom? You must discuss at least three works of art–giving the basics of who, what, when, where, and why. Discuss the medium, give the title and the name of the artist, etc. as well as an analysis of the work’s meanings.
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