Find an example of “culture jamming” and bring to class next week (either a copy, original, or accessible via the web). Be prepared to talk about your piece, how it is an example of “culture jamming,” and its relevance to the main issues brought up in your reading for next week.

You are not required to post to the blog this week, but if you would like to receive extra credit, send me your image via email and write about it here (I’ll post the image after you’ve blogged).

** Please note that I added a button on top of this blog for your easy reference to several links that other students have found useful in the past. Please add to those resources, if you find links worth sharing.

NOTE: I have sent out the readings to everyone’s email. If you did not receive it, email me, and I’ll send you a copy. A few came back as undeliverable due to “full boxes”. Kristin

DUE NEXT WEEK (February 22nd): Two page minimum response, utilizing BOTH readings (on syllabus).

Below are some questions that you may ask yourself. You are not expected to answer all of these questions – you could focus on just a few that you find most interesting. But you must incorporate BOTH essays into your response assignment. You are also free to ask and answer other questions you may have that are not listed here:

• In Croce’s essay, she says that she has not seen Bill T. Jones’s “Still/Here” and doesn’t plan to review it. According to Croce, why will she not review the dance performance? What is Joyce Carol Oates’ response to Croce’s argument?
• Croce brings up the term “victim art” within her (non)review of Jones’s dance performance. What exactly do you think Croce means by the term “victim art”? And how does Oates view the same type of art? Does Oates agree or disagree with Croce’s term “victim art” and why?

EXTRA CREDIT question (you must answer this along with one above to receive extra credit): In Croce and Oates’ essays, each argue a certain point of view in regards to what she believes consitutes art or makes it valuable as art. In what ways does each author reflect (however explicit or subtle) one of the main arguments of either Plato, Bell, Tolstoy or Winterson?

** Always, always back up your thoughts with some example, quote, or explanation.

DUE NEXT WEEK (February 15th): Reflecting on all of the assigned readings thus far (Plato, Bell, Tolstoy, and Winterson) and our class discussions, and write a reflection piece on this blog that describes your philosophy of art, what you believe to be art’s responsibility to society, and the viewer’s (and reviewer’s) responsibility to art. You may write in an informal or more formal manner (whatever feels most comfortable to you).

To receive credit for your response, be sure to include your first name in your post!

Make sure that you mention at least one idea or thought by each of the above authors and whether you agree/disagree and why. For example: “According to Plato, blah, blah, blah, but I strongly disagree because blah, blah, blah.”

Consider the following questions while writing your manifest (you may address all or some of these; feel free to come up with your own questions to consider):

• What, in your opinion, constitutes art? And how would you determine what is “good/bad,” useful or not? How is that similar to or different from any of the authors you read?
• What do you think is the purpose of art? Must art carry a message? Or must it be aesthetically pleasing? How is your response similar to or different from any of the authors we’ve thus far read?
• Must art do something? Explain why you answered the way/s you did. Also, note if your answers are similar to and/or different from any of our assigned readings (again, a good opportunity to reference readings).
• How do you view the relationship between art and its audience? Does art have a greater responsibility to its audience than the audience to art? Does your belief reflect any of the essays we’ve read?
• What kind of dialogue or personal experience do you have with art? How do you approach art? And what might one of the authors respond to your approach?
• What expectations do you have when going to see a play, movie, art gallery exhibit (to be informed? entertained? to engage in a personal experience? etc.). How does your typical experience with or of art coincide (or not) with any of the authors you’ve read?
• If a painting, performance, or film could speak to you about its expectations (of you as its audience), what do you think they would be?
• Do you think a piece of art stands alone (or can stand alone)? Or do you think knowing something about the artist is important and/or necessary? What do our readings thus far suggest?

** Always, always back up your thoughts with some example, quote, or explanation.

Reading/Viewing Due:

• Excerpts from What Is Art? by Leo Tolstoy
• Excerpts from “The Aesthetic Hypothesis,” in Art, by Clive Bell

This time, you’ll turn in your responses to each reading IN CLASS. In no less than a page per reading (for a total of no less than two pages total), answer one set of discussion questions from each of the readings due for next week. Please format your paper as follows:

** Upper left hand corner – put your name, date, class, assignment # / should be double spaced with Times New Roman font (#12) and one inch margins.

Again, I suggest that you take a look at the discussion questions first, so that you will have them in mind while reading (and can take notes or highlight as needed).