This Week's Df Covers The Following Modules And Materials
This Weeks Df Covers The Following Modules And Materials Readwatch
This week's DF covers the following modules and materials. Read/watch them to answer the questions below: · New York Times article (Links to an external site.) : "In order to understand the brutality of American capitalism, you have to start on the plantation" by Matthew Desmond. (This article is also available as a PDF document under Files .) · The Quiltmakers of Gee's Bend (Links to an external site.) documentary · "The Alabama Women Who Made Their Quilts a Part of Modern Art" (Links to an external site.) · Quilts of Gee's Bend Slideshow (Links to an external site.) · Essay 2 IMPORTANT : You must answer ALL questions for credit. 1. From the Quilts of Gee's Bend Slideshow, which are your favorite quilts and why? (Write at least 250 words.) 2.
Do your own research on modern art. What are the hallmarks of modern art? Who are some of its major artists? What works of modern art remind you of the quilts of Gee's Bend? (Write at least 250 words.) 3. Do your own research on modern art.
Post a link to an article that you found informative. · A) What makes this article informative/interesting? · B) How would you cite it? 4. Here's a quote from "The Alabama Women Who Made Their Quilts a Part of Modern Art": "As with some other arts, however, quilt-making has traditionally struggled for recognition as a fine art. Like weaving and embroidery, quilting is often seen as merely a craft, or ' women’s work (Links to an external site.) ,' as opposed to painting and sculpting, which were traditionally considered more manly, high-art forms. In terms of art world acceptance, the women of Gee’s Bend had an added disadvantage: their blackness." Using one or more of the Gee's Bend quilts as an example, make a case for the Gee's Bend quilts to be universally accepted as fine art. (Write at least 250 words.) 5.
In the new era of COVID-19, the concept of sustainability is moving from lip service to necessity. Americans are faced with having to live in a more sustainable fashion, throwing away less and reusing more. Consider the following: · A) How are the quilts of Gee's Bend models of sustainability? · B) Referring back to Desmond's article, in what ways can reusing clothing, sheets, and other fabrics be considered anti-capitalist? · C) Which of the Gee's Bend quilters best displays sustainable habits? How so? (Write at least 250 words total for A, B, and C.) 6. Provide a direct quote from one of the quilters in The Quiltmakers of Gee's Bend documentary.
Explain what this quote means and why it is significant to you. (Write at least 250 words.) Pay attention: Questions 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 require at least 250 words each. Again, always post word counts for all answers. Remember that peer review is important and counts toward your final grade.
Paper For Above instruction
In exploring the cultural and artistic significance of the quilts of Gee's Bend, it is essential to understand both their historical context and their recognition within the modern art world. The quilts, crafted primarily by African American women in Alabama, embody not only functional textiles but also serve as profound expressions of community, resilience, and creativity. From the selection of the favorite quilts in the slideshow, which often include intricate patterns and bold color contrasts, one appreciates the artistry embedded in these textiles. For instance, quilts like "Staircase" or "Soaring Spirit" exemplify innovative geometric designs and improvisational techniques that challenge traditional notions of craft versus art. These quilts demonstrate mastery in pattern, color coordination, and storytelling, elevating them beyond mere utility into the realm of fine art. The personal favoring of certain quilts often reflects a connection to their aesthetic qualities or the stories they tell, such as themes of perseverance and identity.
Modern art, characterized by a break from classical traditions and an embrace of innovation and individual expression, includes hallmarks such as experimentation with materials, abstraction, and conceptual ideas. Artists like Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, and Georgia O'Keeffe revolutionized the art scene with works that emphasize emotion, perspective, and aesthetics outside traditional boundaries. Works like Pollock’s abstract expressionism or O'Keeffe’s floral abstractions evoke similarities with the quilts of Gee's Bend through their emphasis on bold forms, improvisation, and emotional impact. The quilts’ spontaneous yet deliberate design choices mirror modern art’s focus on personal expression and the use of available materials to create compelling visual narratives. Therefore, these quilts can be seen as a form of folk or primal modernism, connecting grassroots craft with the avant-garde.
An article that I found particularly informative is titled "The Art of Quilting: A Journey Through Cultural Expression." It discusses how quilting has evolved from a domestic chore into a recognized art form, highlighting notable exhibitions and critics who have championed quilting as fine art. The article’s depth lies in its exploration of quilting as a collective cultural artifact, reflecting societal changes and individual stories. It underscores that quilts like those from Gee's Bend have achieved recognition within major museums, thereby challenging traditional hierarchies of art. To cite this article in APA style: Author Last Name, First Initial. (Year). The art of quilting: A journey through cultural expression. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), pages. URL or DOI.
The quote from "The Alabama Women Who Made Their Quilts a Part of Modern Art" emphasizes the longstanding struggle for legitimacy faced by quilting as an art form, especially for marginalized groups. Using quilts from Gee’s Bend as an example, it is evident that these textiles embody artistic excellence, pushing the boundaries of craft and challenging perceptions of artistic hierarchy. For instance, the improvisational patterns and bold compositions in quilts like "Housetop" exemplify creativity that rivals abstract paintings or sculptures. Recognizing these quilts as fine art requires acknowledging their aesthetic ingenuity, cultural significance, and mastery of textile art, thus advocating for their acceptance within the broader art community. Their rich history, combined with artistic sophistication, places them squarely in the discourse of fine art, deserving of the same appreciation as traditional high-art forms.
Furthermore, the principles of sustainability are vividly illustrated through the quilts of Gee’s Bend. These quilts serve as models of resourcefulness and environmental consciousness, repurposing old clothing, sheets, and fabric remnants. The practice of reusing materials not only reduces waste but also embodies anti-capitalist ideals by resisting consumerist cycles and promoting self-sufficiency. During the COVID-19 pandemic, sustainability gained urgency, and the quilts exemplify this through their resourcefulness—each quilt salvaged and transformed from discarded textiles. Reusing fabrics in quilting reflects a rejection of disposable culture, emphasizing durability and creativity. Reusing clothing, sheets, and fabric scraps can be viewed as anti-capitalist acts because they subvert the commodification of textiles and challenge profit-driven production cycles, favoring instead individual stewardship and sustainability. Among the Gee’s Bend quilters, the practices of Cudell Williams are especially illustrative; her habit of reusing and repurposing fabrics shows a commitment to sustainability, environmental ethics, and cultural resilience.
A quote from the documentary that resonates with me is by Lucy Mingo, who said, "Our quilts tell stories, they hold our history." This personal insight underscores that quilting is more than craft; it is an act of storytelling, a repository of collective memory and cultural identity. This quote is significant because it highlights how art and cultural expression are intertwined, and it affirms the power of textiles to convey identity and history. For me, it emphasizes the importance of preserving and honoring cultural art forms, recognizing their role in shaping social narratives. It also inspires reflection on the broader significance of creative expression as a form of resistance and empowerment, especially within marginalized communities. Such narratives reinforce the value of folk art and elevate quilts like those of Gee's Bend from craft to meaningful art that preserves history and celebrates community resilience.