Assignment

Art Appreciation

Social Awareness: Role of the Arts and Responsibility of the Artist

What benefit can the arts offer and what value or influence in the society of the 21st century?

Consider the art of artist's Ai WeiWei

, Minerva Cuvas

, and Theaster Gates

by watching the videos from www.art21.org (links provided above )

SECTION I:

Before viewing the videos:

Can artists, writers, or musicians provoke change or transform our way of thinking? How?

What is the role of an artist?

After viewing the videos:

Describe your thoughts, questions, and reactions to the work of these artists. What action, if any, would you like to take after seeing this work?

How does Ai WeiWei view his role as an artist?

Do you feel that any of Minerva Cuevas' art has the power to influence change locally, nationally, or globally. If so, how? If not, why?

Does the art of Theaster Gates have the power to influence or change an individual frame of mind or worldview? If so, how? If not, why?

SECTION II:

Read the article on the fatal shooting of Tamir Rice

Then read the article on Theaster Gates current project relocating the Gazebo where Tamir Rice was killed.

Is Theaster Gates utilizing his role as an artist in society with this project? If so, how? If not, why?

Do you like what Theaster Gates is doing with the Gazebo by relocating it from Cleveland to Chicago and preserving it?

What role could this potentially serve in the community of Chicago, and to the nation as a whole?