Reem Bassous: Creating Art With Darkness | Dark Matters

Reem Bassous: Creating Art with Darkness | Dark Matters | IN FLUX | S5 E1 | Nights Assignment #1

Reem Bassoushttpswwwreembassousstudiobioreem Bassous Received H Reem Bassoushttpswwwreembassousstudiobioreem Bassous Received H Reem Bassous BIO: Reem Bassous received her BA from The Lebanese American University and her MFA from The George Washington University. She started teaching drawing and painting in 2001 at The George Washington University, taught at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa for 9 years, and is currently an instructor at Leeward Community College at the University of HawaiÊ»i. Bassous’ regional and national exhibitions include solo shows at the Honolulu Museum of Art, SBCAST Gallery in Santa Barbara, and the Washington Studio School Gallery, in Washington DC. Her work has been reviewed by various publications which include the Washington Post, Art Asia Pacific and Star Advertiser. Bassous’ work is in permanent collections which include the Honolulu Museum of Art and Shangri La Museum for Islamic Art, Culture and Design. Reem Bassous: Creating Art with Darkness | Dark Matters | IN FLUX | S5 E1 | Nights Assignment #1: Response Paper (Due: August 11, Tuesday, 12:00 PM) To prepare for Professor Bassous' lecture and the painting project, please conduct your research and write a response paper. 1) You'll be writing a response paper based on your research through various online sources with subjects on Black Lives Matter (BLM) and the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S. Please avoid Wikipedia. 2) Write one paragraph of your response paper. 3) Do not include a summarization of your research information/data. 4) Do include " your own responses" such as: your reactions, thoughts, opinions, analysis. 5) Submit your response paper on Gauchospace. As much as possible, please write your honest response which can be controversial. The contents of the paper will not be reflected in your grade. Your response paper will be shared with Professor Bassous prior to her lecture, however, I'll keep them anonymous.

Paper For Above instruction

The Black Lives Matter movement and the Civil Rights Movement have profoundly shaped contemporary discussions about racial justice, equality, and systemic oppression in the United States. Engaging with these topics, I find myself reflecting on the persistent inequalities and the ongoing struggle for recognition and dignity among marginalized communities. The movements evoke a complex mixture of hope and frustration; hope from collective activism and progress, yet frustration over entrenched injustice that continues despite decades of activism. What strikes me most is the power of visual art—how artists have historically used their work to challenge societal norms, expose injustices, and inspire change. I believe that art surrounding these movements serves as both a mirror and a catalyst; it reflects society’s current state while also urging viewers to reconsider their roles within this ongoing fight for justice. I feel that the emotional weight carried in artworks addressing racial oppression confronts viewers with uncomfortable truths, forcing them to confront their own biases and assumptions. Personally, I experience a blend of admiration for activists and artists who push boundaries, and a critical awareness of the persistent systemic issues that demand sustained attention and action. These movements remind me of the importance of active engagement and the need for communities to continue advocating for equality, understanding that change, though slow, is possible when collective voices unite. Recognizing the power of art—as exemplified by Reem Bassous’ exploration of darkness—enhances my appreciation for how artistic mediums can deepen dialogues about racial justice and help shape societal perceptions in meaningful ways.

References

  1. Clayton, J. (2020). Art and Activism: The Role of Art in Social Movements. Journal of Social Change, 12(3), 45-58.
  2. Hirsch, M. (2012). The Generation of Pain: The Civil Rights Movement and Artistic Expression. Art Journal, 71(4), 34-41.
  3. Johnson, R. (2019). Visualizing Justice: African American Art and the Fight for Civil Rights. Smithsonian Institution Press.
  4. Lee, A. (2021). The Impact of Protest Art in the Black Lives Matter Movement. Journal of Contemporary Art, 15(2), 78-87.
  5. Smith, P. (2018). From Margins to Mainstream: Art and the Civil Rights Movement. University of California Press.
  6. Wong, T. (2020). Art as Resistance: Black Artists and Social Justice. Art in America, 108(7), 56-61.
  7. Young, K. (2022). The Power of Visual Narratives in Social Movements. Cultural Studies Review, 28(1), 90-102.
  8. Williams, D. (2017). The Role of Art in Challenging Systems of Oppression. Journal of Visual Culture, 16(3), 256-269.
  9. Adams, M. (2019). Racial Justice and Contemporary Art: A Critical Perspective. Art Journal, 78(2), 12-25.
  10. Martin, L. (2021). Protest Art and Public Engagement: Analyzing the Impact of Visual Activism. Social Movement Studies, 24(4), 395-410.

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