journal 890

Explore Art of the 20th Century

11 Content curation is the gathering, organizing and online presentation of content related

to a particular theme or topic. In these exercises, the class will be curating a collection of

related materials by selecting content to share. The collection will be built around ideas drawn

from the curriculum.

When it comes to summarizing the art of the twentieth century - there's a lot to consider. The

term modern art has come to denote the innovating and even revolutionary developments in

Western painting and the other visual arts since the second half of the 19th century. Embracing

a wide variety of movements, styles, theories, and attitudes, the modernity of which resides in

a common tendency to repudiate past conventions and precedents in subject matter, mode of

depiction, and painting technique alike - applies with particular force to the painting of the last

150 years.

Back in the early 90s a graphic artist named Joan Gratz decided to create a short film called

Mona Lisa Descending a Staircase in which she sought to compile and morph 100 of the most

recognizable artworks of the 20th century. It was a great success, and at the time,

demonstrated a groundbreaking graphic design technique. Watch the video by clicking the link

below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J-ypC8M35o (Links to an external site.)

The video is named in part for one of the more controversial cubist compositions by Marcel

Duchamp (Nude Descending a Staircase). No doubt you recognized many of the art pieces

we've looked at during the quarter as the images on the video morphed from one to the next.

Overall, this is an interesting way to visually summarize the class content.

The Task: 1. Select an image of an artwork from one of your favorite modern artists - try not to

duplicate each other. Post the image and include the artist's name as well as the date of

creation - share how this particular work displays power, influences society, and/or effects

change. (20 points)

3. Your post should be a minimum of 250+ words and you should cite resources used. (5 points)

4. Leave substantive* comments on THREE (3) other student posts – select ones who wrote

about different examples than you selected. Use this as an opportunity to learn what they have

to share. Each comment should be a minimum of 75+ words. (5 points each)

This assignment is worth 40 points.

*Substantive comments extend the conversation, ask a question, or offer an observation – strive

to create a dialogue. Comments that consist of only praise will be awarded 20% of points or less.