introduction to arts & culture: assignments

1 Analysis of a Music Video Work (20%) Walk the Walk, The National Parks, 2007.  Directed by Ian Cameron

“It was amazing to hear music that sounded how your art looked.” Robert Longo (visual artist and musician)

Students are asked to write a short (500 word), descriptive analysis of one of the music videos included in the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal’s Projections series.  The paper should discuss the expressive aspects of image and sound components and their affectivity and the cultural value of the video as a whole. The assignment is due September 23.

The paper should include the title of the video and the director’s name, as well as the name of the musician and a brief, general description of the work that accounts for the conceptual logic and predominating formal elements of the piece.

The analysis should be concerned with the artistic values of the audio and video components rather than the music or performer on their own terms, but if known, consideration might be given to the typicality of the music in relation to the recording artist’s larger body of work AND the kind and quality of persona that the video reproduces. More importantly, look for patterns in the visual and narrative motifs as well as correspondences between the visual signifiers and the song’s lyrics. Consider the relationship between visual and musical rhythms, visual and aural ‘colour’ or ‘amplitude’. Consider the emotional tone of sound and image, sound, image and lyric. Do these elements complement each other or are they discordant? Note any significant cultural references and think about the correspondences, patterns and references identified in the work.

Interpret the work: How does the visual design lend meaning to the musical aspects of the piece? How does the image/sound combination make you feel?

Finally, evaluate the work’s cultural significance.  What does it express of human experience, social beliefs or cultural values?

2 Research Project on Artist/Movement: Proposal (10%) + Project (25%) The research project asks students to conduct research on a video artist of the student’s choice and to present the findings in a report that includes: 1) an introduction to the artist, his/her interests and intentions and a brief description of a typical work 2) a statement identifying and defining/describing the artistic form and ‘genre’ within which the artist works (e.g. video installation, video performance, experimental music, theatre, Internet art); 3) an explanation of the manner and importance of his or her innovation in their field; and 4) an analysis and interpretation of one or two major works.

The research must involve a minimum of four (academic) sources and references must be properly cited in the final text. Final projects will be written in report form, with sections dedicated to the above-mentioned information and analysis, and include an introduction and conclusion (1000 words, typed and double-spaced). The original due date of November 18 has been advanced until November 25th.

 

3 Research Project Presentation (group) (10%) Students are asked to work with a group whose research subjects align with their own, and make a brief presentation on the subject of their research. Presentations should summarize the key components of the research (as above) and provide visual illustrations. Presentations on research topics will be made on October 28 and November 4.  Please e-mail providing me with the topic of your research by October 26th.  I will put groups together for the research project presentations.

4 Homage/After… (production) (20%) The project asks students to design a video installation or performance piece in the style of one of the artist’s discussed in the class. The project will include a working title, an outline of the proposed work describing the artistic intentions, the material components and spatial arrangements of the final work and illustrations of key visual, textual or sound elements. To be presented in class during the two final weeks of the term, December 2 + 9.

5 Participation (15%)