Acts of Resistance Spring 2024: Three poems

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Three poems

Think before you give.

Would you give your heart away?

When your heart can be destroyed.

Or use your brain to keep your heart installed.

Soft or strong

Are you a petal?

Can you be broken off and never be put back together?

Or you're a tree that stands tall and feels the breeze that won’t even break a piece.

Mental

Are you free or trapped?

Are you in the dark or light?

Keep your mind sharp and clear of the dark.

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NO CLASS 4/10 -- work on your final projects!!

FINAL PROJECT DRAFT POST DUE 4/17

Work on your final project. Build on your project idea you posted 4/10 and begin to flush out the project. What are you making? The project must be in progress before 4/17. Research, plan and begin to implement your final project. Read carefully through the assignment and begin to outline your written portion. List your research, inspiration projects and quotes on the draft post. List your research (thus far) in your DRAFT post. Read through the written portion assignment below carefully and be sure you are addressing these questions in your project. You must post a DRAFT of your final on the blog before 4/17. This can be a work in progress or a detailed plan of what will be implemented by 4/24.

Students will present works in progress on 4/17 in class. Be sure to have your project drafted on the blog before class.

>>> INTERVENTION FINAL PROJECT DUE 4/24

PROJECT Using all of the methods and issues we have discussed in class, design an art activism project <intervention> that addresses a socio-political topic you have chosen that you are inspired to share, perform and/or distribute to an audience. These projects can be elaborations or extensions of your previous interventions but must be worthy of a FINAL! Your art and activism projects must use the methods and ideas we learned in class of engaging an audience to raise awareness about your chosen topic. Your projects must live in the world outside of our class in some way and be available to a larger audience. Your project can use any medium or method: performance, website, photograph, painting, zine, interactive installation, podcast, music, video, event, workshop or any other forms we have discussed. Find artists from our readings (or elsewhere) that help inspire your project and include them in your research. Revisit our class textbooks to push your project.

For your final you must create a written post about your project research and process, and present the project in a brief presentation "pitch" to the class in person.

WRITTEN POST on blog ~600 words, 3 quotes from the class readings, ~4 inspirational artists/projects and 5 resources (articles, books, essays, etc.) that informed the project.

Create a written POST for your final project on the class blog that explains your project and includes a link (embedded) to the project. Prepare a succinct and exciting summary of the project that is clear and makes the class want to look further at your project and potentially share the project, promote it and even get involved in it. You must connect your project to the class readings and include 3 quotes from the class readings with citations. Explain how these ideas connect to or inspired your project.

In your writing summary please be sure to answer these questions:
*What is your project? Why you have chosen this topic and form of outreach?
*What is your message for the audience?
*How did you reach an audience (ie "publish" the project)? How did the audience engage with the project? What feedback have you received?
*How does this project fit into your professional aspirations and your portfolio?
*What artists or other projects have influenced or inspired your own project? List 4+ artists that connect with your project with brief explanations of why they connect or inspired your own project.
*What research has helped you inform this project? List 5+ resources that informed or inspired your project in a resource list at the end of your project summary.

PRESENTATION in person Be prepared to present your projects to the class in ~3 minute presentations in the classroom VA B25. You will use the post you create to present to the class. You can also bring props and copies of your project to share with the students in class - if applicable.

YOU MUST post several images (screen shots etc) on the project post. You can show these images as part of your presentation. Please include a link to your project if online, be sure it is public so it can be accessed from the blog. For those who create videos, you can choose what section of videos you will play (if longer than 3 minutes) to try to stick to the 3min time limit. You may choose to create a short slide presentation to better explain your project during your presentation. These should be online and linked from the final project post. Remember you are ”pitching” the project to the class. Prepare a clear and exciting presentation. These must be edited and functioning before class begins.

Practice what you will say!

GO BIG! Get outside your comfort zone. Do the research. Be creative. Be bold. Think about what you are passionate about. Make it connect to your goals. Make it for you! Make it awesome!

________________________

DUE WEDNESDAY 4/10

READINGS DUE: Chapter 7 A/Effect, from The Art of Activism, Your All-Purpose Guide to Making the Impossible Possible by Steve Duncombe and Steve Lambert

2 quotes and short response for the chapter

FINAL PROJECT IDEA/PROPOSAL POST DUE 4/10

Read the Final Intervention Assignment below. Considering our class readings this semester, begin to design and plan a final project that implements the activism strategies and methods we have seen so far. These can include posters and performance but can expand to include other mechanisms like audio, printed zines, spoken word, community outreach, video(vlog style), educational/instructional, sculpture, wearable, interactive, group activities etc. Look carefully through the textbook and get inspired to design an art activism project that addresses an issue that you are passionate about and uses your expertise to put it into the world. Choose a topic and write a short description 1-2 paragraphs of your possible project and the project from our readings that connects or inspires your project. Include a sketch or other photos/images that help describe your idea.

Read the full description of the final intervention:
>>> INTERVENTION FINAL PROJECT DUE 4/24

PROJECT Using all of the methods and issues we have discussed in class, design an art activism project <intervention> that addresses a socio-political topic you have chosen that you are inspired to share, perform and/or distribute to an audience. These projects can be elaborations or extensions of your previous interventions but must be worthy of a FINAL! Your art and activism projects must use the methods and ideas we learned in class of engaging an audience to raise awareness about your chosen topic. Your projects must live in the world outside of our class in some way and be available to a larger audience. Your project can use any medium or method: performance, website, photograph, painting, zine, interactive installation, podcast, music, video, event, workshop or any other forms we have discussed. Find artists from our readings (or elsewhere) that help inspire your project and include them in your research. Revisit our class textbooks to push your project.

For your final you must create a written post about your project research and process, and present the project in a brief presentation "pitch" to the class in person.

WRITTEN POST on blog ~600 words, 3 quotes from the class readings, ~4 inspirational artists/projects and 5 resources (articles, books, essays, etc.) that informed the project.

Practice what you will say!
GO BIG! Get outside your comfort zone. Do the research. Be creative. Be bold. Think about what you are passionate about. Make it connect to your goals. Make it for you! Make it awesome!

__________________________

DUE WEDNESDAY 4/3

READ: Chapter 5 Cognition and Chapter 6 Persuasion, History from The Art of Activism, Your All-Purpose Guide to Making the Impossible Possible by Steve Duncombe and Steve Lambert
2 (or 3) quotes for each chapter and short response for each quote

PERSUASION ART POST

Choose one project from the textbook reading above that stood out to you and write a brief description (including artist and title) and why this project has affected you as an art intervention. Why does this project hold meaning for you? How does the project use persuasion? Can this project help you begin to plan your FINAL Intervention and how? Include an image of the project with the short description and include the quotes from the reading assignment.

_____________________

DUE WEDNESDAY 3/27

INTERVENTION 2 PERFORMANCE ART (15pts 15% of course grade)

This assignment must be posted to the blog by Tuesday night 3/26

Take inspiration Chapter 3 and 4 of The Art of Activism and from the readings and performance art videos we watched. Choose a performance art piece by one of the artists from the book, videos or class discussion. These can include Yoko One, Shaun Leonardo and Marina Abromovic or other artists from our assignments. Design and plan an intervention inspired by this work that takes the form of a performance with at least one other participant. It can be in front of a group or in public. You must present the performance to the class as a video of the performance you made. You must plan and create the video yourself but you can get help from others or work as a team. Think of the intervention as a personal expressions of your own politics or passions. The content can be made as various interventions in public that work as a series or as a single performance that can be repeated with instructions. Think about the message of the performance and how others might feel performing with you. Give them instructions.

Choose an issue(s) that you are passionate about creating advocacy for and addressing to your own friends and family. The performance can be seen as a political art expression that "intervenes" with others lives in some way. Think about the performance as INTERVENTION. Post the video to the blog with a 3-5 paragraph explanation of why you chose this content and how the performance can be seen as activist art. Use the readings to help your explanation. Include 2+ quotes from the readings the in your post. Be creative, work hard to connect the readings to your project! READ CLOSELY to help elevate your performance. Think about what you are passionate about, the kinds of videos and performances that have stuck out to you in the assignments, and chose an issue carefully so that passion inspires you to make something powerful. Clearly describe what artist and performance you are responding or inspired by. Edit your video and your writing carefully.

Post your project link, video, audio, images
3-5 paragraph project description with artist inspiration
2+ quotes

Works Cited

Post your video to the blog (upload your video to YouTube and use the YouTube tool which is next to the image uploader button) with your written description. Be sure to cite your quotes from the readings and connect your performance to an artist.

BONUS: Include one or two of the "instruction pieces" we wrote in class inspired by Yoko Ono. Be silly, serious or strange but get don't hesitate to get outside your comfort zone.

_________________________

++EXTRA CREDIT 3pts

Please attend this artist talk on March 14 in VAB Gallery.

Art Activism Born at NJCU

Conversations with Orlando Cuevas and Mr.Mustart

The two artist will discuss how they became political aware during their studies at NJCU and developed their sense of art activism.

March 14, 6:00-7:00 p.m.

The Visual Arts Building Auditorium (B08)

followed by the reception in the Visual Arts Gallery

DUE WEDNESDAY 3/20

READINGS: Chapter 3 and Chapter 4, from The Art of Activism, Your All-Purpose Guide to Making the Impossible Possible by Steve Duncombe and Steve Lambert

2 quotes for each chapter and short response for each quote

PERFORMANCE ART POST

Choose one artwork from the textbook and write a brief description of the artwork on the blog with an image of the work/movement/group. Then choose a performance artists from the videos below and write a brief description of a performance artwork. What message does the work try to convey to the audience? Post an image of the performance or of the artist to the blog with your description. Please include your 4 quotes and responses from the textbook readings below your two artworks.

To include in your post:

1 artwork from the textbook readings with a brief description including artist, title and message

1 performance artwork from the videos with a brief description including artist, title and message

4 quotes and response from the textbook readings

WATCH:
The Case For Performance Art PBS Art Assignment https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmMTKdUAokM

Yoko Ono
Who is Yoko Ono? short documentary about Yoko Ono:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoU0E_ab36Q

Cut Piece performance:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Sa1y-PAAzE

Shaun Leonardo | art21

https://art21.org/watch/new-york-close-up/shaun-leonardo-the-freedom-to-move/

______________________________

NO CLASS 3/6 >> Enjoy your Spring Break!

DUE WEDNESDAY 3/13

Please see @njcugalleries on IG for videos of Prof. Ben Jones speaking about his work in the gallery exhibition.

Also see this article in Gothic Times by Andy Liu: https://gothictimes.net/12787/arts/the-universe-of-ben-jones/

GALLERY RESPONSE ESSAY

(10% of course grade)

This Is What I Know About Art {in exhibition}

Please post both parts of the full essay assignment to the blog with your images.

Part 1 - Curatorial Activism defined

In a short essay use the readings in the class thus far to help form an analysis of the book, This Is What I Know About Art, by Kimberly Drew and the essay Towards Curatorial Activism by Dr. Maura Reilly. How do these readings connect to the themes and issues we have been discussing? How can authors, historians and curators also be activist? Use some of the other projects and readings we have seen so far to connect to their activism and their work. What moments in the Kimberly Drew book felt particularly pivotal and meaningful to you? Share these in your essay. Explain why these moments where important. How did these lead to Drew's activism? What quotes from her writing stuck out to you and why?

Part 2 - Art Example

Using Kimberly Drew's story as inspiration, think about ways that the art in the exhibition The Universe of Ben Jones connects to our discussions and readings of art activism and curatorial activism. Choose two works in the exhibition that connect to our readings of art activism. Describe the two artworks (be sure to include the details about the artist, title, medium etc) and how these works can be seen as activist. What messages can these works be conveying that connect to our discussions thus far? Include at least two images of the works you selected in your essay.

Be sure to use the readings: Kimberly Drew Book, Maura Reilly, bell hooks, Susan Sontag, and our Art of Activism textbook chapters to help analyze the works for this essay. Cite the quotes (author, page) from the readings in your essay. Edit your work and be sure to include the sources at the bottom of your essay in a short works cited. Use a few images of examples to illustrate your writing.

~600 words

3+ images with captions and 4+ quotes from class readings

Citation + works cited

Exhibition information for The Universe of Ben Jones

Over his six-decade career, artist Ben F. Jones has focused on interconnections and relationships between global issues including politics, health, the environment, racism, and capitalism, among others. “The imagery is both figurative and abstract, interacting and affecting,” he says in a statement in the exhibition catalog. “We cannot solve our ecological, political, and even spiritual problems in the world if we fail to see the relationships among these things.”

This retrospective of the extraordinary artist presents many works—bold, insightful, and in a visual language all his own—that have rarely been exhibited or are on display here for the first time. Come see how Jones’s symbology has transcended global and local issues of ecology, technology, politics, and spirituality, making him the conscience of his generation and of today.
The exhibition and its companion catalog are part of a year-long Mellon Foundation-funded collaboration between William Paterson University and New Jersey City University that is celebrating the American artist Ben Jones—a 1963 graduate of William Paterson and a NJCU professor emeritus of art.

Co-curated by Casey Mathern, director of the William Paterson Galleries, and Midori Yoshimoto, director of the NJCU Galleries, the exhibition was held in the William Paterson Galleries during the fall 2023 semester.

____________________

IMPORTANT!!

>>>ON WEDNESDAY 2/28 we will meet for class at LEMMERMAN GALLERY in Hepburn Hall room 323 on 3rd floor. You must be on time for class!

DUE WEDNESDAY 2/28

READ:

Towards a Curatorial Activism | Dr. Maura Reilly

https://www.maurareilly.com/pdf/essays/CIAFessay.pdf

2 quotes and short response see below

What is Curatorial Activism? by Dr. Maura Reilly | ArtNews

2 quotes and short response see below

CURATORIAL ACTIVISM POST due 2/28

In a short written response including 4+ quotes from the readings by Dr. Maura Reilly answer the following questions: What is Curatorial Activism? What can we do to improve art and art history? What do you envision for the future of art?

Post your answer including quotes from the readings to the blog.

___________________________

DUE WEDNESDAY 2/21

READ:

The entire book This is What I Know About Art by Kimberly Drew

Look through Kimberly Drew's blog: https://blackcontemporaryart.tumblr.com/

THIS IS WHAT I KNOW ABOUT ART POST

Choose 3 quotes from the book and write a short response for each quote. Choose one artwork that you found either from reading the book or from Kimberly Drew's Tumblr blog (linked above) and explain why this artwork is interesting to you. Post an image of the artwork, your quotes and responses to the blog.

WATCH:

On Facebook NOW THIS | How Kimberly Drew Amplifies the Work of Black Artists
https://www.facebook.com/NowThisEntertainment/videos/how-art-curator-writer-kimberly-drew-amplifies-the-work-of-black-artists/874745016235800/

Coffee With Kimberly Drew

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nm6AU71F9oQ

LISTEN (optional):

Kimberly Drew: Art and Activism | LGBTQ&A 30min

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrKmyKe8Otw

________________________

DUE WEDNESDAY 2/14

INTERVENTION 1: POSTER/INTERACTION/WEARABLE

(10% of course grade)

++Written description and images must be posted on the blog night before class on 2/13

Inspired by our readings from the Art and Activism textbook and the readings on art, photography and memes as well as the videos linked below, think about a way that you can insert or use activism and art in your own professional journey. Choose an issue that you have been activated to participate in raising awareness. Look to current events for a clear example of something that needs to change. Choose something that you feel particularly passionate and knowledgable about. Think about a community you would like to create the intervention to support or motivate. Find art projects that might help address that problem or use a strategy that you may want to use as well. This is part of your research.

Create a physical poster(s), interactive installation OR a wearable object or outfit that acts as protest art. How can we use signs and posters or wearables to inspire advocacy in others? Use the art examples from our readings thus far movement to inspire your own protest art piece. You must create a physical project and share it in some way with others - a community - an audience. Place it in a public place, carry it as a sign of resistance and awareness, put it on your car, draw on the sidewalk, put it outside for others to read, etc. Have a clear message and idea for how it will be seen by others. Test out your strategy. Show your results.

Take good images of your poster(s) and its place in public and post it on the blog with a brief explanation of the sign, your intentions and your thoughts about signs and protest. Use the readings to help you connect your intervention to the history of protest. Include at least two quotes from the readings. You must include at least one image of your intervention in public.
~400+ words, 2+ quotes (with citation), 2+ images (with captions)

BRING YOUR PROJECTS TO CLASS TO PRESENT IN A SHORT PRESENTATION ~3min.

>>OPTIONAL EXTRA CREDIT 2pts

Attend the artist talk:

Ben Jones in Conversation with Dr. Dennis Raverty

[Part of the Black History Month Celebration]

Tuesday, February 6, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m

Gothic Lounge (H-202) followed by a reception in the Lemmerman Gallery (H-323)

Co-organized with Speicher-Rubin Women’s Center for Equity and Diversity

__________________________________

DUE WEDNESDAY 2/7

READINGS:

Introduction and Chapter 1 >> from our textbook!!

The Art of Activism, Your All-Purpose Guide to Making the Impossible Possible by Steve Duncombe and Steve Lambert

2 quotes and short response for each quote

WHAT IS ART ACTIVISM? POST - choose an artwork

Using the Chapter 1 reading from The Art of Activism textbook, answer the following question in a brief response. What is Art Activism? Choose one example from the readings thus far and explain how this work is an example of art activism. Include an image and information about this artwork in your short response on the blog. +++ Add your quotes to the blog post.

________________________

DUE WEDNESDAY 1/31

ART AS ACTIVISM POST - choose an artwork

Choose one of the artworks from the various readings below that strikes you. Post it to the blog with a brief description of the artwork and a reaction - why did you choose this work? What does it mean?
+++Post the 6 quotes from the readings (below) and your responses for this week with the post of your chosen artwork.

READINGS:

1. An Introduction to Activist Art | The Collector | by Stefanie Graf
https://www.thecollector.com/introduction-to-activist-art/
2 quotes and short response

2. WHY ARTISTIC ACTIVISM? | Center for Artistic Activism

https://c4aa.org/2018/04/why-artistic-activism

2 quotes and short response

3. The 25 Most Influential Works of American Protest Art Since World War II

The New York Times Style Magazine

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/15/t-magazine/most-influential-protest-art.html

2 quotes and short response

OR *if you cannot access the NYTIMES article above please read this one below instead

Artists Using Their Creativity to Drive Activism | Global Citizen

https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/artists-activists-using-creativity-for-change/

2 quotes and short response

WATCH:

Cases for Political Art | The Art Assignment | PBS Digital Studios

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfXad3HVox4&list=RDCMUCmQThz1OLYt8mb2PU540LOA&start_radio=1&rv=RfXad3HVox4&t=30

OPTIONAL watch:
Yoko Ono https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCWr_iDh114&ab_channel=TheArtAssignment
Kate DeCiccio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyNX1bX-6dU&ab_channel=AdobeCreativeCloud

___________________________

DUE WEDNESDAY 1/24

Self Introduction Post on the Blog

Share a short description of yourself, your ambitions, and your artistic adventures. Post it to the blog. Be sure to share art, design, social justice, political causes and creative practices that you may already be exploring. Add one selfie or other photograph (you made) to the post.

+Add the 6 quotes and responses from the readings below onto your blog post.

READINGS DUE:

Choose 2 quotes from each reading (6 quotes total for the three readings) and write a short reaction/response to each quote

1- Understanding Patriarchy by bell hooks (on BLACKBOARD)

2 quotes and short response

2- What Memes Owe to Art History | Artsy https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-memes-owe-art-history

2 quotes and short response

3- Memes Are Our Generation's Protest Art | VICE https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/mbzxa3/memes-are-our-generations-protest-art

2 quotes and short response

WATCH:

Art As Activism: Statements of Democracy | Untold History

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6jDZaREk74&ab_channel=UntoldHistory

Guerrilla Girls – 'You Have to Question What You See' | Artist Interview | TateShots

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uKg7hb2yoo

Complain creatively. | The Guerrilla Girls | The Art Assignment | PBS Digital Studios https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i5cEhd6Vt8

GET THE BOOKS!

The Art of Activism, Your All-Purpose Guide to Making the Impossible Possible by Steve Duncombe and Steve Lambert, OR Books, New York 2021

This Is What I Know About Art by Kimberly Drew, Penguin Workshop, New York 2020

RESOURCES/LINKS

Actipedia Creative tactics that help bring about change.

https://actipedia.org

Center for Artistic Activism C4AA helps people use their creativity and culture to effect power.

https://c4aa.org

Guerrilla Girls anonymous artist activists
https://www.guerrillagirls.com

_________________________

LINK TO SYLLABUS

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.

Discussion guidelines 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 rlevant and appropriate. If you have not done the readings you are not to participate in the discussion.