Discuss the ways that artists can use art to communicate a political or social message. 

 Topic Choices for ART100 Research Paper

(Choose one of the following topics for your paper):

Topic 1:  Contexts and Influences of 20^th Century Art Historical Movements

Select one of the following movements in 20^th century art: Futurism, Dada, Pop Art, Surrealism, and Abstract Expressionism.  Situate the movement within its political, cultural and historical context to illustrate how historical context influenced the techniques, content, style, and ideology of the movement.  Support your argument with examples of artists and their work.

Recommended resources for Topic 1:

Futurism

• Willette, J. (2016). Cubism, Futurism and the Great War, Part One. Art History Unstuffed.  Retrieved from http://arthistoryunstuffed.com/cubism-futurism-and-the-great-war/
• Willette, J. (2016). Cubism, Futurism and the Great War, Part Two. Art History Unstuffed.  Retrieved from http://arthistoryunstuffed.com/cubism-futurism-and-the-great-war-part-two/

Dada

• Maftei, S. (2010). Between “critique” and propaganda: The critical self-understanding of art in the historical avant-garde. The case of Dada.  Journal for the Study of Religions and Ideologies, 9(27), 219-245.

Pop Art

• Curley, J. (2013). A Conspiracy of Images: Andy Warhol, Gerhard Richter, and the art of the Cold War. Retrieved from http://americainclass.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Curley-Reading.pdf

Surrealism

• Willette, J. (2011). Surrealism in Context.  Art History Unstuffed.  Retrieved from http://arthistoryunstuffed.com/surrealism-in-context/

Abstract Expressionism

• Paul, S. (2004). Abstract Expressionism.  Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved from https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/abex/hd_abex.htm

Topic 2:  Art as Communication

Discuss the ways that artists can use art to communicate a political or social message.  Identify two artists from two different countries or centuries that have used their art to comment on a social or political issue.  Evaluate whether the message was effectively communicated through their art by researching the historical context of the artist and the issue they were commenting on.

• Articles with examples of artwork with a social and/or political message (you may not use these examples in your paper):
  • Laborie, S (2018) Raft of the Medusa.   Retrieved from https://www.louvre.fr/en/oeuvre-notices/raft-medusa
  • Dorbani, M.B. (2018) July 28: Liberty Leading the People. https://www.louvre.fr/en/oeuvre-notices/july-28-liberty-leading-people

Topic 3:  Non-Western Influences on Modern Art

Discuss the influence of African or Asian art on Western art from the 19th century through the present, citing specific works, artists, styles, or movements that have been influential.

• Recommended resources to get you started:
  • Murrell, D. (2008). African Influences on Modern Art. Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved from https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/aima/hd_aima.htm.
  • Michael, C. (2010). Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved from https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/laut/hd_laut.htm
  • Ives, C. (2004). Japonisme. Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved from https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/jpon/hd_jpon.htm

Topic 4: Developments and Influences of Italian Renaissance.

Analyze the historical, political, religious and cultural context for the Italian Renaissance (1400-1600 C.E.).   Discuss the developments in art and architecture made in the Renaissance period, explain economic changes in Europe that may have made the Renaissance possible and address the role of patronage in art creation.  Be sure to discuss specific artists and artworks to support your arguments.

• Recommended resources to get you started:
  • Routt, D. (n.d.) The Economic Impact of the Black Death. Economic History Association.  Retrieved from https://eh.net/encyclopedia/the-economic-impact-of-the-black-death/
  • Artists and Patrons (2018). Italian Renaissance Learning Resources. Oxford University Press. Retrieved from http://www.italianrenaissanceresources.com/units/unit-8/essays/introduction/ (See all 12 pages)
  • Norris, M. (2007). The Papacy During the Renaissance. Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved from https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/pape/hd_pape.htm
  • Bamback, C. (2002). Anatomy in the Renaissance. Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved from https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/anat/hd_anat.htm

Topic 5:  Photography’s Influence on Art

Discuss the influence of photography on the art of the late 19th and 20th centuries, citing specific uses of photography. Discuss the shifting and sharing of the functions and purposes of art by painting, drawing, and photography. Include the impact of photography on painting.

• Recommended resources:
  • Early Documentary Photography (2004). Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved from https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/edph/hd_edph.htm
  • Hostetler, L. (2004). The New Documentary Tradition in Photography. Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved from https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/ndoc/hd_ndoc.htm
  • Photography and the Civil War (2004). Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved from https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/phcw/hd_phcw.htm
  • Eklund, D. (2004). Conceptual art and photography. Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved from https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/cncp/hd_cncp.htm
  • Rooseboom, H., & Rudge, J. (2006). Myths and Misconceptions: Photography and Painting in the Nineteenth Century. Simiolus: Netherlands Quarterly for the History of Art, 32(4), 291-313. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org.nuls.idm.oclc.org/stable/20355339