Response Assignment # 2

For next Tuesday’s class, please read and respond to the following (blog entries/comments must be posted by 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3rd):

• Maurice Berger’s introduction to The Crisis of Criticism
• Sontag, Susan. “Against Interpretation”
• Saltz, Jerry. “Seeing Out Loud,” The Village Voice, December 16, 2005.

Also — please look over the following reviews (second one on way):

Posted by Rachael Harter: Review: The Ballad of Emmett Till

Questions for Reading:

You don’t have to respond to each author — I’m more interested in your overall response to larger concepts than making sure that you respond to each reading. To help get you started, below are some of questions (or, if something else takes your attention and you want to discuss it, that’s fine, too!):

1. Consider Sontag and Saltz’s discussion on art criticism, its drawbacks, its challenges, and their own personal take on how art should(or should not) be approached and/or written about. Which one presents views that is most like your own? Explain why and be sure to reference the readings. Also, you may find that you agree with both on a few points, but neither on all, and that’s fine too — just explain.
2. Consider the title of Sontag’s essay, “Against Interpretation.” After reading Sontag, explain your understanding of that title. What is “against interpretation,” how? why? Do you agree or disagree?
3. According to Saltz, what is the primary problem with art criticism? why? What examples can you think of (or provide) that exemplify his opinion?
4. After reading Berger’s introduction to the book, The Crisis of Criticism, explain why you think criticism is in crisis — in other words, what exactly is the crisis? What is Berger’s view on this crisis? And do you agree or disagree and why?

Feel free to also write on anything else that takes your attention in any of the readings; just be sure to make reference to the readings and explain your response.

Response Assignment # 1

Blog Response DUE ONLINE by 6:00 p.m. (not one minute later) on May 29th.

Read each of the following and then respond to ONE of the questions within EACH reading (at bottom). You can either post two separate blogs or one.

• Excerpts from What Is Art? by Leo Tolstoy Excerpts from “The Aesthetic Hypothesis,” in Art, by Clive Bell

Also, quickly read the review that Nancy forwarded to me, so we can discuss it in class:

The French Connection: Dull ‘Skull’

After a nearly 20-year absence, Indiana Jones returns not with a bang, but a blah

By Dave McCoy, MSN Movies Lead Editor

Welcome to Your Class Blog!

Students: Welcome to the Reviewing the Arts Class Blog!Every week, you will be expected to blog here. Respond to each assignment by clicking on the “comments” link (until someone posts the first comment, it’ll read “no comments”). The assignments will vary – between responses to your readings, writing short reviews, thoughts about class discussions, assignments to locate images and/or other articles/blogs that refer to the topic, etc. So be sure that you check this blog before each and every class!

I expect you to also engage your fellow classmates in discussions. Be sure to read the comments that precede yours so that you are not merely reiterating a point that has already been made, but are rather adding to, enriching, and expanding the discussion that is taking place.

I am more concerned about quality of writing than quantity. In other words, I will not ask that you write a certain length or amount, but am rather more interested that your responses are critical, thoughtful, and creative.

In order to receive credit, you must put your first name on all posts and enter the email address to which you want to receive your grades for each post. I respond to all posts via email to whatever email address you enter, with grades, so be sure to enter the email address you use most often.

Adding additional resources and comments will be looked upon favorably, when the time comes to turn in final grades, and could be particularly useful for those who may need an extra boost at the end of the semester (hint, hint). HOWEVER, adding websites and resources WILL NOT replace your required weekly journal responses. If you are experiencing problems with this online discussion board, please inform me immediately.

* If, after your first or second posting, you do not see your blog post right away, it’s because it has probably gone into moderation (for me to approve), so don’t panic. After a few postings, the blog will then begin to automatically accept your posts without the need for moderator approval.