ARTV410

This class takes African diasporic creative production since the onset of photography in three phases. First we look at publications made by black authors for black audiences to guide the fabrication of our own journal construct. The content of this first phase is guided by the question framing W.E.B. Du Bois’ and Alain Locke’s argument regarding art and propaganda. Next, we look at Pan-African Surrealist practices, try out some of these practices; this phase is guided by questions of identity and exoticisation begged by the Nardal sisters, Suzanne Cesaire, and Egypt’s Art + Liberty group. Third, we ask the question framed by Frederick Douglass and bell hooks regarding why a community might represent itself, and look at and make portraiture informed by examples from multiple 19th-21st century black studios, stars, and collectives. We will work on creative assignments to process and take as canon what historical black diasporic practices have to teach. This is a studio course that relies on your engagement with reading and research. No prior formal experience with photography is necessary, but a willingness to make, critique, and be critiqued is required. This course satisfies an upper level visual arts requirement towards the major or minor. Prerequisites: any ARTV class or AFST class or ARCH 101 or ARCH 201 or ARCH 301 or ARCH 302