Discussion Questions
"Should the government fund the Arts? Abstract Expressionism and Music" Please respond to one of the following, using sources under the Explore heading as the basis of your response:
• Based on our readings this week on the Great Depression programs, determine whether or not such projects were good government investments during those hard times, and provide two examples of such programs (be specific) that support your viewpoint. What do you know of current ways the U.S. government supports the arts? You can relate based on local, state, and/or federal examples!
• What was the significance of Abstract Expressionism? Explain the reasons for your views - even if you do not like or understand, what do you think its purpose at this time in history was that influenced this style? After reviewing the pages and Websites below, Compare and contrast one example of Abstract Expressionist visual art to John Cage's musical compositions. Is 'abstract' a popular style today?
Explore:
Government and the Arts
• 1232), Federal support for the arts
• Government helping the arts in hard times at http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/1934-Picturing-Hard-Times.html and http://www.pbs.org/speak/seatosea/powerprose/wpa/
Abstract Expressionism and Music
• Chapter 38 (pp. 1255-1263, and 1268-9), Abstract Expressionism
• Chapter 38 (pp. 1266-1269), Music of Chance; review the Week 9 "Music Folder"
• John Cage, listen and see - "Dream" at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Fhc3Tbnhsc
• John Cage, listen and see -- "4'33'" at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY7UK-6aaNA&list=PL223147EC2385356B&index=3
• "My Kid Could Draw That" views: http://www.theamericanconservative.com/my-kid-could-draw-that/; and http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/28/study-examines-difference_n_841268.html
• TO COMMENT ON STUDENT POST
• 1 OR 2 PARAGRAPHS / William Pitchford
Abstract Expressionism was an innovative form of art that was dramatically different from any art at the time. Abstract Expressionism emerged in New York City around the early 1940s. The artist created scaled works of their own psyches, that broke away from accepted conventions in technique and subject matter ( metmusuem.org) During this time artist where eager to come up with a new art expression that defined how they felt. After the Great Depression and during World War II, artist like Hans Hoffmann, Milton Resnick, and Willem de Kooning were troubled by the hatred and cruelty going on in the world, and wanted to express their concerns in a new art of meaning and substance ( Henry M. Sayre, p. 1255). John Cage was an artist during the 1950s, who encompassed the principles of Abstract Expression into his music. His sound was an art of inclusiveness (Sayre, p. 1266), which included any sounds present during the creation of the music. Today, the principles of Abstract Expressionism is still incorporated into music. Today's music contains samples of birds chirping, babies crying, rain failing, and many other natural sounds. Abstract art is seen in everything from paintings, architecture, and automobiles.
www. Metmusuem.orgHenry M. Sayre (2015). The Humanities Vol. 2.