Week Four Discussion.
Prior to beginning work on this discussion forum, read Simone de Beauvoir: An InterviewLinks to an external site.. Watch Judy ChicagoLinks to an external site(https://fod-infobase-com.eu1.proxy.openathens.net/p_ViewVideo.aspx?xtid=9054&loid=562369).. Also review Carrie Mae WeemsLinks to an external site(https://carriemaeweems.net/)., Joy HarjoLinks to an external site(https://www.joyharjo.com/)., and Maya Lin Studio(https://www.mayalinstudio.com/).
Option 1: Discussion Question: The Intersection of Art and Social Change
This week, we will focus on the four key creative women featured in the overview, resources and instructor guidance: Simone de Beauvoir (1908-1986), Margaret Walker (1915-1998), Georgia O’Keeffe (1887-1986), and Judy Chicago (b. 1939). These women, like so many others from the midpoint of the 20th century on, were at the forefront of innovations and modernism, creating works that not only reflected the changing culture, but served as catalysts for more change.
Focusing on at least two of the four key women, discuss how they contributed to culture and social change. Also, consider how these women represent some of the dynamic changes in gender and cultural identity during this period. In sum, your response should address the ways women’s art and social movements intersect in the second half of the 20th century. To support your discussion, use examples of their work, quotes from their own words in interviews, as well as claims by others regarding the significance of these key women.
Note on multimedia: to make our forum more manageable, use only one image or clip per post and select “medium” size from the options. Not to limit, but make our thread a bit more manageable, so we can see and discuss it all. Relate the multimedia to your text and explain why you are using it.
Note: Attach Margaret Walker interview to the discussion prompt or announcement
OPTION 2: Radical Feminist Art
In the 1950s Simone de Beauvoir established the theoretical basis for the so-called Second Wave of feminism which flourished throughout the 60s and found expression in the work of women artists especially in the 70s and 80s. For more on these ideas, check out my Week 4 Instructor Guidance.
For this discussion find a woman artist from the 1970s and 80s (other than Judy Chicago, who you will write about in your Journal) who highlighted feminist issues in her work. You may choose a novelist, poet, playwright, painter, sculptor, dancer, musician, composer, or performance artist. Post a literary text, visual image, multimedia (audio or visual) that represents her work. Explain how her art highlights feminist issues raised by the work of de Beauvoir.
