Art History/Assignments/19 September 2007

9/19/07 Project 4

As a class students will create a podcast based around the work of artist William Anderson using Mr. Anderson's personal observations concerning his photographs, and an interview with the artist conducted by the class. The project will include:

- Each student will listen to two podcasts listed under the "Podcast Links" section of this wiki. One should be from either The Southern Arts Federation, or the WTMD Artists Interviews links. The other podcast you listen to should be anything you find interesting under the Libsyn link (use the "Libsyn directory" link to find a topic that interests you). Post your observations in the reflection section with a caption titled, "Podcast Listening Reflection." This reflection is due by Friday (9/21).

- A discussion of William's photography, followed by two person group formulation of questions for the artist interview. Questions are due by the end of class Friday (9/21).

- Mr. Anderson will present on Monday giving each group a chance to revise or develop new questions. A final draft of questions from each group will be due on Tuesday (9/25).

- As a class students will listen to the recording of Mr. Anderson's presentation and question and answer session. Each group of two will decide on a part of the recording they wish to take ownership of when editing the audio file. Each group of two will then edit their section of the interview for final posting to the Westminster website. The final podcast will be due on Thursday (10/4).

Questions for William Anderson Anna and Emma The Struggle Goes On:

-What significance does this picture have for you? -Why did you choose this march to photograph as opposed to others? -Who are these people? -Did you participate in this particular march?

One Minute to Rest:

-What is this person’s occupation? -Where is this? -Where does the fatigue come from? Her life, or her job the day the picture was taken? -Is the porch she is sitting on her house?

Coretta:

-Did you know her or did you ever meet her? -What impact did this have on your life? -Did this feel like the end of an era to you, or a beginning? -Did you ever meet any other civil rights leaders?

Big Boss Man: -What relationship does the man have with the children? -The man looks happy and friendly. Is this just a pose, or do you feel that the white man has a good relationship with black people? -Do you believe that whites are in control of black people, based off of your title? Or is the photo trying to contradict the title? -Is there significance in how the people are dressed?

Woman with a Pipe: -What occupation does this woman have? -She sort of looks angry. Was this what you were trying to portray? -Has she had a hard life, because it looks as if she is sort of ready to give up?

Alison Bennett and Alek Hodges -Kids across the Porch: Who are the people in the doorway? Why are the children lined up in the front of the house? What is the meaning of this photograph as it relates to your life?

-Sleeping Boy: Who is this boy and why is he so important? Why is he by himself, where are his companions? How does this picture fit in with the theme of the exhibition?

-Woman leaning towards the window: What is she looking for? Is she envious of what she sees, or is she happy about what she sees? Is she wishing she could be somewhere else?

-Boy in cap on porch: Who are these people? Where are they? Why do they have that emotion on her face?

Elizabeth and Yeshwanth's Questions:

• The Clinic:

1. Where is this community? 2. Are the people in the picture related? 3. Why are they going to the clinic? 4. What happens at the clinic?

• Evening Shadows:

1.Is there any significance of the shadow cast over the man? 2. Is the title "Evening Shadows" a metaphor for his age? 3. Are the two men mad at each other? 4. Was this picture taken in a rural setting or an urban setting (but on the outskirts of town)

• Baptism:

1.Why is this man being baptised so late in his life? 2.He and the people around him seem nervous, was being baptised this man's choice? Was he forced? 3. Is being baptised significant in this particular community? 4. Are the people in the background his family members?

• Gonna Walk All Over You:

1. What does the title mean? 2. Has this man been walking for a long time or is he preparing to walk? 3. He seems upset? Why? 4. I understand that this picture is a set of two. Why is this one also titled "Gonna Walk All Over" if no feet are shown in the picture?

• Joanna by the Window:

1. What does the window represent? 2. I have seen three pictures where people are looking out a window. Are they looking at the same thing? 3. Did you choose to take these shots in black and white to show the emphasis on the window's light? 4. Was this picture supposed to be set in the date it was taken or an earlier time? It reminds me of a picture you would see in a history text book as it describes aboliton.

Connor and Rawson questions: We had some trouble thinking of in depth questions, but we eventually got some.

Skidway Joe Why is it blurry? Who is it? What does the title mean? What is he doing? Why is it the only unfocused picture in your collection?

Gonna Walk All Over What was the meaning of this picture? What were you trying to portray? Why is it titled Gonna Walk All Over? Do you know this person?

Cake Walk What is a cake walk? Who are the people? Why did you include it in your collection? Where does this take place? Have you ever participated in a cake walk?

American Sharecroppers Why do they look so happy, despite their poverty? Why is the kid not happy? Why did you feel like this was picture-worthy? During what time period was this picture taken?

Ghetto Baby What’s the point of this picture? Where is this? Why did you choose to take a picture of a baby in a go-kart? What is the setting of this picture? Where are his parents and why is he in a go-kart? Do you know this baby or did you just take a picture of him?

Retrieved from "http://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Introduction_to_Art_History--_M._Davis/Reflections/Connor"

Sona and Kristen's Questions

Damn FEMA or Men and a Pickup:

1.) What are the mem discussing? Does it have something to do with where the one person is pointing? 2.)When did this take place? Was this after or before Katrina? 3.) Why are there so many chairs scattered around?

Man Shaving

1.) Why is the man sitting in the dark if he's trying to shave his face? Why doesn't he shave in the light? 2.) Why is he shaving at the front door? He's practically marooned there...

Untitled

1.) What did this woman do for a living, and why is she being disconnected from the house in the picture? 2.) Did the house hold troubling or pleasent memories? What exactly did it represent?

Themes in the photography of William Anderson

Poverty-- American; African-American; rural; ghetto

Humanitarian efforts and issues

Race/Class

Religion-- associations; emotions; implications

Pride -- in who they are, no matter what their circumstances

Change

Heritage

Truth vs. Idealism

Emotional responses: fatigue, sorrow, awakening