Art Criticism Research Paper
Analyze one response of the artistic community in Europe following WWI and the specific criticism of the aftermath of the Great War.
"The Agitator" by George Grosz, 1928
"I sometimes wondered what the use of any of the arts was. The best thing I could come up with was what I call the canary in the coal mine theory... This theory says that artists are useful to society because they are so sensitive. They are super-sensitive. They keel over like canaries in poison coal mines long before more robust types realize that there is any danger whatsoever." -Kurt Vonnegut
Class Rubric
Link to our class rubric.
Sample of Weimar Research Essay from Past Years: Eliza Pillsbury and Gus Allen
|
Here is an example of an excellent essay from last year. Eliza Pillsbury, Renaissance Woman of the Year and member of the Theatre Department, was writing to a different prompt. Please consider that her essay includes a more thorough research and analysis. I want you to drive the essay with analysis of the art movements in one specific focus..
|
| ||
|
Here is an example of an excellent essay from 2016. Gus Allen, all-around Jazz Bassist superhero from the Music Department, was writing to a different prompt. Please consider that his essay is driven by the analysis of history. I want you to drive the essay with analysis of the art movements.
| ||
Link to the Pre-writing PRezi here!
WWI and the Weimar Republic
|
| ||||||
Facing History and Ourselves: Weimar Republic Primary Source Documents
Follow the path created in order (it'll make more sense) and write down (in your Weimar Republic chart)
1. concrete observations like facts and descriptions (denotation) and 2. what those facts and observations imply (connotation).
Remember that you are considering the question, "How did Hitler happen?" Pre-AP should also refer back to the overarching prompt (Synthesize the conditions of the Weimar Republic following WWI and how those conditions are present in the movements of art) for this exercise, as you will be submitting a completed individual thesis when I see you again.
Follow the path created in order (it'll make more sense) and write down (in your Weimar Republic chart)
1. concrete observations like facts and descriptions (denotation) and 2. what those facts and observations imply (connotation).
Remember that you are considering the question, "How did Hitler happen?" Pre-AP should also refer back to the overarching prompt (Synthesize the conditions of the Weimar Republic following WWI and how those conditions are present in the movements of art) for this exercise, as you will be submitting a completed individual thesis when I see you again.
- Treaty of Versailles: the impact of WWI (game for political or WWI)
- Start with the War Guilt Clause.
- Study the other elements of the Treaty.
- Think about the implications of this treaty for Germany.
- Economic Circumstances
- Consider that Germany is experiencing an economic depression at the same time that the USA is experiencing their Great Depression.
- Study the economic primary source documents. Start with the Inflated German Currency chart.
- Think about the implications of these conditions for Germany.
- Political Circumstances
- Compare the following three political campaigns:
- Communist Platform
- Social Democratic Platform
- Nazi Platform
- Study the political primary source documents.
- Think about the choices the German people have to construct a "democratic" future.
- Art/ Cultural Reflections
- Read the quotes (list of 15) from All Quiet on the Western Front. This novel was the book most burned by the Nazis.
- Read the excerpt from pg. 218-231 and consider how this scene relates to Remarque's preface. (PDF below) What is the human cost of WWI?
- Study the cultural primary source documents. You'll need headphones to listen to the Cabaret Songs.
- Jump around and taste the Dada Art Movement. Look at the work from Berlin in particular.
Turn it In
Turnitin.com Instructions and codes:
1. Go to turnitin.com and either Create and Account or Login to your old account.
2. Enroll in our class! Codes are listed to the right ---->
3. The password to all classes is Piggy
4. Check out your new assignment!
1. Go to turnitin.com and either Create and Account or Login to your old account.
2. Enroll in our class! Codes are listed to the right ---->
3. The password to all classes is Piggy
4. Check out your new assignment!