Political Art: Art With Purpose
The Political Art Project is designed for students to
express their personal views through artwork.
Political art has a long tradition of being used to take a stand on a
particular topic, and this will be each student's opportunity to voice
an opinion.
The following list are options for students to choose
from. If a student would like to select a topic not on the list, or recommend
a topic, please see the instructor.
Topics that are constantly recycled/reused are:
| Abortion | Rape |
| Police Violence | Human rights |
| Death penalty | Molestation |
| Abuse: Child/Spouse | Censorship, Freedom of Speech/Responsibility of Speech |
| Legalization of drugs | War/Violence |
| A.I.DS | Gun rights/Gun Control, |
| Gay rights vs. Straight rights | Hunger |
| The Homeless | Racism/equality. |
| Labor Conditions |
Female Genital Mutilation |
| Three Strikes Law | The environment |
| Religion | Pollution |
| Smoking/ Tobacco | United States Immigration Policy |
| Ethnic Cleansing | U.S. Prison System |
| Poverty | U.S. Judicial System |
| Alcohol | Nuclear Power/ Nuclear Weapons |
| Genocide | Suicide |
| Society and Women (US and Worldwide) | Body Modification |
| Women's Issues | Food: Diet, obesity, |
| Consumerism | |
| Link to previous student work | Links related to topics on list |
Guernica by Pablo Picasso
Guernica History Here
Political Art topics are
usually controversial in nature and are topics people are passionate
to voice
their opinion. The passion comes either from personal connection to
the topic, or the topic moves the person enough to force them to investigate
in depth.
Please note that the intent of the project is not to shock or offend viewers,
but to convey a message and force viewers to think about the issue.
A necessity for this project to be effective and purposeful is the requirement of knowledge on the topic of choice. Many people will have unfounded opinions on topics simply because that is what they have heard from parents, friends, and the media. It is essential in creating political artwork that the artist be informed. It is unacceptable in this project to create art based upon ideas and opinions that are uninformed, and created without research. Topics to consider will be presented and discussed in class before the project is started.
Should this person own guns?
Stages of the project:
1. Monday Response: Journal Write: "I become angry when..." Socratic
Seminar
2. Discussion regarding political topics in The United States/World. Web sites and issues will be discussed. Examples of political art will be shown and discussed in class on Examples:Political art: here and Propaganda posters here .
What is happening in this image? What is the context of the image, and why is this man standing in front of the tank?
Robbie Conal
Read My Apocalips
3. Research
Selecting Topic: Students will be given two days for topic research, and topic information. If the topic is not on the above list, it must first be approved by the instructor.
Please note, all research must be cited
- Information to be included in the research includes:
- Two paragraphs minimum discussing why the topic was chosen and why it is a worthy topic. Statistics related to chosen topic researched from several reputable web sites or books.
- Specific events such as famous cases or persons connected with the topic.
- Pictures, (if applicable)
- Research from both sides of the issue. If choosing abortion, the topic of pro-life and pro-rights needs to be researched. What do both sides of the argument say on their topic? Some topics will be difficult if not impossible to research the opposite side of the selected topic.
- A minimum of ten web sites related to chosen topic. Please select web pages of established organizations, not personal web sites.
Research
is due and is worth 25 points. Students will share
their findings with students, areas of insight, discovery, facts that
amaze, stories found online, etc. Students must have enough research
to fully backup their statements. The research is for the student to
use for reference while working on the assignment, great research
material will help with the quality of the final project . Additional
time will not
be given
for
research after
the due date. Remember to only print research information that is useful,
not to simply turn in for a grade.
· Research MUST be completed and printed before student
comes
to class.
· Students will not be allowed to print out research, please take
care of this before class.
· Findings will be discussed with the class in groups.
· Please be ready to share your research in groups.
Does the image speak for itself? Do we truly know what
is happening in this picture or do we create meaning? What is the meaning.
4. Visual Brainstorming
Once all research has been completed, it will be time for each student
to start brainstorming different ideas and concepts for the creation
of the final art piece.
Two periods will be used for:
Brainstorming ideas through sketching
Sharing in groups and giving constructive criticism
Finalizing research.
The instructor must first approve the concept before starting the
final piece. Each student will be responsible for sketching
out a basic concept
with attention given to layout, object size, text, color and message.
Student must use the elements and principles of design within the
work. It is recommended that at least four elements and two
principles be
used. A new addition to the elements for this project will be the
element of type. Pay careful attention to the detail and style
of the lettering
used in the project. All text must be handwritten.
A minimum of two detailed mockups is required for credit. All original
thumbnail sketches and brainstorming needs to be turned in.
Due date for mockups is 3/03. Mockups are worth 50 points. Students
must present work to other students first before
presenting to the instructor.
The following links are to artists who work with themes.
Some are photographers, some are painters/illustrators. Many of the
examples do not fulfill this particular project, but are examples of
communicating
with a specific message.
Once the mockups have been completed and the ideas are approved, it is time to start the final project. The final piece is worth 200 points and will be graded using a rubric. Please click to view rubric.
Final piece is due on:
Requirements for the project include the following four topics:
The projects will be created using a maximum size of 20"x24" cardboard as the base material. Larger sizes can be created with instructor approval but is not recommended.
The project is divided into three parts: graphics, text, and color. The four parts need to be mixed evenly to form unity. Unity is one of the principles of design that states that an agreement exists among the elements of design; the elements look as if they belong together. Unity can be achieved through proximity, repetition, and continuation.
1. Graphics
The foundation of the project should consist of a strong use of graphical imagery. Images can be drawn, painted, and photocopied. If using imagery from a photocopy or magazine, the images need to be incorporated into the project by actually drawing or painting on the images. Demonstrations and examples will be shown in class. Avoid simply cutting and pasting images into the project. Rather, incorporate each image so that it becomes an integral part of the assignment. The Political Art Project will widely be created through collage/mixed media. 50pts.
The images below are from the Vietnam era and are an example of the power of imagery, but are incomplete without the accompaniment of text explaining the situation.
This is not staged
This image was "staged" by the photographer.
Well known image of napalm attack
2. Text
Text must be incorporated into
the assignment. Choice of text color, size, shape, line all need to be
factored in. All text must be either hand drawn, or created through stencils.
Absolutely no printed text will be accepted. If used, a zero will be assigned
to the student's project grade. Stencils will be demonstrated in class.
Examples for use of text could include the statistics of children killed
by guns written into the foreheads of children accidentally killed by
guns if the project is based on gun control.
Text can be an extremely powerful tool in the creation of the project.
Choose wisely from an assortment of statistics, music lyrics, poetry,
writings, quotes, and personal thoughts. All should be woven seamlessly
to create a well-designed political statement. 50 pts.
Text
Examples Here
3. Color
Color will be a powerful tool
in the project but must first be understood in order to fully use color
effectively. A demonstration will be given regarding color theory and
the psychological and physiological effects/theory behind color. Each
student will need to decide through research and testing which colors
will best translate the political message.
Please check the color theory links
on Mr. Crouch's web page. 50 pts.
4. Three dimensional objects (optional for Crouch's
class)
The final requirement for the project is the use of three-dimensional objects. Objects can be placed on the project as long as they help, not hinder the message. An example might include a pile of pennies representing the amount of children that die of hunger each day because of a lack of money. The amount of pennies could represent the small amount needed to provide for the child. The objects used to represent a topic must be purposeful and selected with thought. This would be a powerful area in the project to create irony and paradoxical juxtapositions. Placing objects next or near each other for comparison or contrast creates juxtapositions. An example of juxtaposition would include a beautiful woman covered in diamonds from South Africa with an image of a starving South African child covered in flies. 50 pts. Examples of Juxtaposition here
The Political Art Project final piece is worth a total of 200 points. Please see the breakdown for each section above.
The
Political Art Project ownership belongs to you the student. Run
with your ideas, be creative, inspire us, inform us,
learn information that you previously did not know, and think in a manner
in which you have never before thought. Explore new ideas, create
pieces
that
are
awe inspiring,
and finally,
have
fun!
What does this mean?
