Self I As Image SP 2019: #selfie

Tuesday, February 5, 2019

#selfie - Week 2

For the article 'On Photography' by Susan Sontag, the quote "“Photographs, which fiddle with the scale of the world, themselves get reduced, blown up, cropped, retouched, doctored, tricked out. They age, plagued by the usual ills of paper objects; they disappear; they become valuable, and get bought and sold; they are reproduced", explains a lot of the magic photographs can show. This selfie shows the Eiffel Tower in the background, which is extremely far from my reality as I am across the world from it. The scale of the world is represented in this selfie because it shows a 'small' tower behind me, yet in reality this landmark is about 1,000 feet tall.

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Due Wednesday 5/1

SELF-PORTRAIT FINAL PROJECT

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?

GIVE YOUR PROJECT A TITLE.

You must document the project and post one or more well lit and edited image(s) 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.

__________________

Due Wednesday 4/17

No New Readings!

WEEKLY SELFIE: Weekly Selfie inspired the work of Wangechi Mutu, by the ideas presented in society of the spectacle and the dangers of the single story. 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. Look also to a favorite or influential novel. Draw on the story and its characters to help shape your collage.

Reflect on the importance of stories in our culture and our identities. Post a paragraph or two describing some of these thoughts. Tell us about your character (selfie) and their story. True or fantasy; tell the larger narrative of the character in the collage and its relationship to being seen in the spectacle or outside of it.

Spend some time on this selfie project. It should be a bit more in depth and more involved than some of our quicker weekly selfies. We only have one more after this one!

BRING IDEAS TO CLASS FOR YOUR FINAL PROJECTS! Bring in pieces and ideas in progress for your final self portrait collage. Read the description of the final assignment on the syllabus. Remember to push yourself further this time in concept and in medium and style. You should use a different process than in the midterm to create your collage based work. Bring several ideas to class and we can discuss. Works in Progress will be due the following week on 4/24.

Two tweets with the hashtag #selfiasimage

___________________

Due Wednesday 4/10

2 READINGS ONLINE:

1- From Guy Debord's Society of the Spectacle (first published 1967) 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/

Weekly Selfie in response to the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Using the class readings, the documentary we saw in class, create a digital selfie that explores your self identity inspired by the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat.

The Radiant Child: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMkkkf_MPw4

GROUP 5 PRESENTS

POST 3

Ana/Andy/Basquiat *Extended to be Due 4/10

Compare the work of Ana Mendieta, Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat. 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.

~1200 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.

Two tweets with the hashtag #selfiasimage

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Due Wednesday 4/3

GROUP 2 PRESENTS

GROUP 4 PRESENTS

READINGS: Finkelstein, Chapter 4+5 Advertising and Fashion pgs 148-216, John Berger Ch 7

2 quotes each of the chapters

NO Weekly Selfie

Two tweets with the hashtag #selfiasimage

_____________________

Due Wednesday 3/27

GROUP 1 PRESENTS

GROUP 3 PRESENTS

Groups must create a 10 minute presentation highlighting the work of an artist (or more than one) that uses self portraiture in their work. Speak to the themes and the methods of the work and how these connect to what we have been exploring in class. Do not present the work of an artist we have already discussed in class.

READINGS:

Finkelstein, Chapter 3 pgs 121-144

2 quotes

review from before break: Finkelstein, Chapter 2 Manners (and have your quotes for class discussion)

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 further online and look at the Andy Warhol Foundation and Museum websites for more examples and details of his work.

Two tweets with the hashtag #selfiasimage

_____________________

Trip to the Montclair Art Museum (before 3/19)

++We will be having a trip to the Montclair Art Museum on Thursday March 7th for Free First Thursdays. You can attend this trip with the Professor and a few guests or you can attend the museum on your own anytime until March 19th in order to see the exhibition Constructing Identity and to complete a written response to the exhibition. You must take photos of the exhibition - especially the 5 works you choose to write about - and one selfie in the museum. See below for a more details for the writing assignment.

We will meet at the Montclair Art Museum on Thursday 3/7 at 5pm. There is not charge for admission to the museum on this day. For directions visit the museum site here. We will be visiting the exhibition Constructing Identity in America. A writing assignment about this exhibition will be due on the blog on 3/20.

Post 2 Montclair Art Museum due 3/20

Drawing on the artwork you visited in the exhibition, the information materials and labels in the exhibition and referencing the readings from Berger, Finkelstein and Hooks, please complete the following:

- What does it mean to "construct" an identity?

- How are the issues of looking/gaze, patriarchy, power, race, class, identity and manners presented in the works you see?

- Choose five examples that stand out to you that connect to these themes. Identify the artworks (artist, title, date) and explain these pieces in some detail.

-Use these examples to relate to the class readings. Cite direct quotes from the readings in support of the connections you see.

- Please create a well organized explanation of the 5 works you chose in 800-1000 words

-Please take note of format issues with text and images and how the post appears once published.

- YOU MUST take pictures of the pieces in the exhibition as well as label text to help you in creating your written response.

-Include images (that you take!) of all 5 of your selected works.

-Include one SELFIE of yourself in the museum.

WEEKLY SELFIE due 3/20: 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 gaze, body, nature and homeland. Look at her work online and use your list of words about her work to help design your selfie.

FIX YOUR MIDTERM POSTS (before Saturday 3/9):

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.

Two tweets with the hashtag #selfiasimage

__________________

Due Wednesday 3/6

Review the readings from previous week plus Finkelstein Chapter 2 and be sure to have quotes to hand-in in class. See readings below.

READINGS: John Berger, Chapters 2+3

2 quotes for chapter 3

Finkelstein, Chapter 2 Manners

2 quotes

On Blackboard: bell hooks Understanding Patriarchy and The Oppositional Gaze

2 quotes for each essay

Two tweets with the hashtag #selfiasimage

_________________

Due Wednesday 2/27

MIDTERMS ARE DUE!! See below for the details

Midterms will be presented in the second half of class

Readings that were due 2/20 are now due 2/27

and the weekly selfie due 2/20 should be posted to the blog!

READINGS: John Berger, Chapters 2+3

2 quotes for chapter 3

On Blackboard: bell hooks Understanding Patriarchy and The Oppositional Gaze

2 quotes for each essay

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!

Two tweets with the hashtag #selfiasimage

__________________

Due Wednesday 2/20

READINGS: John Berger, Chapters 2+3

2 quotes for chapter 3

On Blackboard: bell hooks Understanding Patriarchy and The Oppositional Gaze

2 quotes for each essay

WORK ON YOUR MIDTERM PROJECTS! Bring works in progress to class to work during class.

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 that gives some idea of your midterm portrait.

Two tweets with the hashtag #selfiasimage

__________________

Due Wednesday 2/13

READINGS:
Joanne Finkelstein, Chapter 1 pgs 42-72
John Berger Ways of Seeing Ch 1
(two quotes for each)

Weekly Selfie Autobiography, Nature and Place
Using the work and biography of Frida Kahlo as inspiration please create a selfie that is autobiographical and inspired by the style of the paintings of Frida Kahlo referencing nature, the body, identity and home (place, nation, geography and culture).
*Add to the post of your selfie the 15+ words you wrote down about Frida and add 15+ words that you would use to describe your selfie (they can be repeated).

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
_________________

Due Wednesday 2/6

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 1/30

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.