Today: Art & Social ValuesToday: Art & Social Values

Readings: Mitchell, Gamboni and ZolbergReadings: Mitchell, Gamboni and Zolberg Discussion of Choices of Topics and SchedulingDiscussion of Choices of Topics and Scheduling

Offending Images-- and assumptions about what art communicates (Mitchell)Offending Images-- and assumptions about what art communicates (Mitchell) Two main assumptionsTwo main assumptions

Image linked transparently to what it Image linked transparently to what it represents (what is done to image is represents (what is done to image is what it represents)what it represents)

Image possesses capacity for feeling Image possesses capacity for feeling what is done to it (pseudopersons)what is done to it (pseudopersons)

Less obvious factors in controversies Less obvious factors in controversies (Mitchell)(Mitchell)Less obvious factors in controversies Less obvious factors in controversies (Mitchell)(Mitchell)

1.1. Offending images unstable , capacity for harm Offending images unstable , capacity for harm depends on complex social contexts & interactions depends on complex social contexts & interactions that changethat change

2.2. Images do not all offend in the same way (offense to Images do not all offend in the same way (offense to beholder, something represented, manner of beholder, something represented, manner of representation)representation)

3.3. Images that offend many people inspire laws, Images that offend many people inspire laws, policiespolicies

4.4. Offenses to images take different forms Offenses to images take different forms (iconoclasm, vandalism etc.)(iconoclasm, vandalism etc.)

Examples from MitchellExamples from Mitchell

Richard Richard Serra’s Serra’s Tilted ArcTilted Arc

Maya Lin’s Vietnam Veteran’s War MemorialMaya Lin’s Vietnam Veteran’s War Memorial

Lin Lin

MapplethorpeMapplethorpe

Michelangelo DavidMichelangelo David

SwastikaSwastika

Confederate FlagConfederate Flag

Jasper Johns FlagJasper Johns Flag

Marcus Harvey MyraMarcus Harvey Myra

Damian Hirst Damian Hirst

Poussin Adoration of the Golden CalfPoussin Adoration of the Golden Calf

Serrano Piss ChristSerrano Piss Christ

OffiliOffili

Outrage overOutrage over Virgin Virgin Mary?Mary?

Outrage about symbolic Outrage about symbolic desecrationdesecration

Example: Chris Ofili’s dung-covered Madonna & the Sensations show at the Brooklyn museum in fall 1999

Example: Chris Ofili’s dung-covered Madonna & the Sensations show at the Brooklyn museum in fall 1999

Catholic Mayor of New York offended, Catholic Mayor of New York offended, tried to shut it down & withdraw funding to tried to shut it down & withdraw funding to museummuseum

intentions? title of show (Sensations)intentions? title of show (Sensations) owned by patron Saatchiowned by patron Saatchi rise in value of work, etc.rise in value of work, etc. Culture Wars: Culture Wars: notion of competing values notion of competing values

(moral, aesthetic etc…)(moral, aesthetic etc…)

Why do images inspire hatred? (Bruno Latour Iconclash)Why do images inspire hatred? (Bruno Latour Iconclash) ways of understanding iconoclastsways of understanding iconoclasts

Inner goalsInner goals Roles ascribed to imagesRoles ascribed to images Effects of destruction on othersEffects of destruction on others How reactions of those assocciated with images How reactions of those assocciated with images

are interpreted by iconoclastsare interpreted by iconoclasts Effects on the destroyer’s own feelingsEffects on the destroyer’s own feelings

Planning Short Assignments and Class PresentationsPlanning Short Assignments and Class Presentations Discussion of reading assignments and Discussion of reading assignments and

ideas for topicsideas for topics Research resources (library)Research resources (library)

Note to Users of these Outlines--Note to Users of these Outlines--

not all material covered in class appears on these outlines-- not all material covered in class appears on these outlines-- important examples, demonstrations and discussions aren’t important examples, demonstrations and discussions aren’t written down here.written down here.

Classes are efficient ways communicating information and Classes are efficient ways communicating information and provide you will an opportunity for regular learning. provide you will an opportunity for regular learning. These outlines are provided as a study aid not a These outlines are provided as a study aid not a replacement for classes.replacement for classes.