Homework Assignment 1 – Political Art
DIRECTIONS:
This assignment is designed for you to explore the humanities of
various societies and cultures in the world. Select three (3)
images, and answer all of the supporting questions with the work of
art. You will answer nine questions in total. Use your own words,
and support your responses by using lecture notes and the sources
from the internet. Use complete sentences, use proper grammar, and
don’t forget to proofread and spell check your work before
submitting it.
· All assignments must be MLA style cover page, be typed,
double-space, 4 - 5 pages
· Font: 12 points Calibri, Arial or New Times Roman (NO FANCY
FONTS)
· Do not use the following as source in your paper: Wikipedia,
encyclopedia, or a dictionary
· Do not PLAGIARIZE and turn in your FINAL on time!
· HELPFUL WEBSITE
· EasyBib.com (free) – Automatic works cited and bibliography
formatting for MLA, APA and Chicago citation styles
(www.easybib.com).
· 1checker.com (free) – 1checker helps you write better
English
(www.1checker.com).
· Paper Rater (free) – Online electronic proofreading system:
Grammar checker, plagiarism detector, and writing suggestions
(www.paperrater.com)
God Bless America
Rebellious Silence
1. Faith Ringgold is an African American artist who uses art as
her medium for feminist images or political statements. Consider
the political climate during 1964, when this image was created.
Ringgold (God Bless America, 1964) uses the stars and stripes of
the flag, but rearranges them to express different content.
a. Name two historical events that influenced Ringgold’s
work?
b. What does the star and stripes in the painting represent?
c. Name two roles of an artist can be applied to this work and
discuss why?
2. Shirin Neshat artwork, Rebellious Silence, is a quiet yet
powerful voice for Muslim women's issues in the world. Address the
following questions.
a. What do you think the woman in the photograph fighting
for?
b. What are Neshat’s hidden message(s) in the work?
c. What are Neshat’s concerns for Muslim women in Iran and
Western society?
Bird’s Nest
3. Zhang Hongtu's Bird’s Nest, 2008, is filled with explosive
political messages from death to basic civil rights for the people
of China. The artwork depicts the Chinese National Stadium, and
sheds light on the political and social issues of the country and
the government.
a. Name and discuss one general theme displayed in this work,
thoroughly.
b. What are two roles of an artist displayed in this work?
Explain and cite an example.
c. What do you think is the purpose of the work and is Hongtu’s
artwork important globally?
What is the Proper Way to Display a Flag?
(close up of the poster)The Exhibit: What is the Proper Way to
Display a Flag?
4. Dread Scott creates compelling and revolutionary art that
deals with social justice and inequality issues in American.
Address the following questions:
a. What do you think motivated the artist to create this work?
Why did the artist Dread Scott name himself after the enslaved
African American Dred Scott? (Pay attention to the two different
spellings of the name.)
b. Do you think it was important for the artist to create this
work that address social and political issues in America?
c. Would you walk on the flag to leave a comment in the guest
book? Why or why not? Explain thoroughly.
The Problem We All Live with the Trail of Tears (2011) by
Christine Chzasz
5. a. What do you think about the title of the artwork, and what
story does it tell?
b. What political message is the artist trying to convey or
express?
c. The Trail of Tears depicts a Union soldier as a ghost. Why do
you think the artist included him in the painting? Is the artwork
effective or ineffective with the image of the soldier present?