My “Other” Identity

Luis Jimenez

Roger Shimomura

My “Other” Identity:

The Other is a term used to refer to those who are the symbolic opposite of the dominant social group and are disempowered through this opposition. The concept of the Other typically refers to women, people of color, inhabitants of so-called Third World countries, people of different sexual orientations – that is, all groups that have traditionally been denied economic and political power.

To regard people as Others is to see them as objects rather than as subjects driven by psychological needs and desire similar to the viewer’s. This is, of course, the foundation of prejudice and a psychic defense against understanding people different from oneself.

This term entered the discourse of artists and critics in the late 1970s and began to be frequently heard in the 1980s. The late 1980s saw a growing number of visual artists in the United States and Great Britain addressing issues of “Otherness”.

References:

Atkins’ Artspeak: A Guide to Contemporary Ideas, Movements, and Buzzwords

Sturkin & Cartwright’s Practices of Looking: An Introduction to Visual Culture

Assignments:

1. Type a one-page paper addressing the following prompt question: In what ways or situations do I find myself treated as an Other? Due: Monday, April 14.
2. Create an artifact, no smaller than 36″ square, addressing your identity as Other.
3. Type a one-page paper reflecting on your thoughts and process relative to your artifact and how it relates to your Other identity.

Sketchbook

Sketchbook Assignment

Note: This applies to both Honors & Portfolio students

You will be required to maintain a sketchbook throughout your Honors and Portfolio art experience. It will be much more than a collection of doodles. It counts for 25% of your overall grade and will be a substantial work of art in its’ own right. You may find that it will yield inspiration for other works or you may find that it contains work worthy of photographing for your slide portfolio. The size should be no smaller than 11” X 14”. The optimum size is 14” X 17”. You will find that your sketchbook will take a lot of beating so purchase a sturdy one. If you cannot purchase one please see me for assistance. Your assignment is to create a series of six mixed media compositions that incorporate image and text in each composition. The series will be thematic. Your compositions must utilize the available space. You are to use both sides of the binding for your work. Do not look at the left side as the back of another page. You may skip a page between compositions if you choose. Be careful not to close your book if the work is still wet with paint or glue, etc. I will check your progress periodically in addition to conducting a review at the end of the marking period. This is a homework assignment and you are expected to be experimental and content oriented. Make statements and take risks. Play and have fun !!

Community Connections

Community Connections assignment:

Note: This applies to both Honors & Portfolio Students

It is very important for you to expand your awareness of the world around you. The Community Connections project will assist you in building or maintaining a wider perspective of our artistic environment. You are to visit and report on two art exhibits in our community during each 9-week period. The visits could be to any of the many museums and/or galleries in the greater Philadelphia area (or beyond). They could also be to any of the more local galleries found in our immediate community. The various newspapers in our area have art sections that list “happenings” and the First Friday events of each month are very rich with activities. The format for your reports will be based on the following: The artist’s name and location of the show should be in the upper left corner of the paper with the date in the upper right corner. Your name will go below the artist’s name. You will list several “bullet” points that stand out to you about the artists and their work. The “bullet” points are simply observations and do not need to be complete sentences. Keep them brief. Use your “bullet” points to help you write a couple of paragraphs about your reaction to the artist reviewed. You should go beyond simply stating whether you like the work or not. Make some observations relative to the work. Try to find the Artist Statement at the show and respond to it if possible. Your response can be based on any aspect of critical analysis (formal, contextual and intuitive). The Community Connections reports should be composed on a word processor of your choice using 12 – 14 point type. Try to keep the length to one page. The review should be longer than the “bullet” points. You are expected to have a minimum of ten lines. You may want to submit your review to the school, or local newspaper (without the “bullet” points) for possible publication.

Community Connections Format Requirements:

*Must be typed/word processed

Artist Name or Group Show Name:
Date Visited:
Your Name:
Date Submitted:

Bullet list of things that you found remarkable:

Example:

* artist frequently used text as design element
* social commentary
* heavy texture
* relies heavily on bricolage
* artist statement describes ‘disassembling and reassmbling’

Body of paper should expand on the “thought bites” described in your bullet list.

Reflection: Palimpsestic Identity

As you reflect on your current project in your paper and discussion be sure to remember what we were expressing. I asked you to create an artifact based on layers of your life. We began by creating a short list of “events”. So I would ask you to be able to explain how you represented these ideas in your artwork.

The “events” of your life might be represented chronologically, episodically, goalistically, memorically, etc. So the bulk of your rationale will consist of contextually oriented commentary.

Be prepared when you come to class.