Here are the questions I posed in class:
1.
Which piece of art/installation/action/moment was
most impactful to you? Why?
2.
How does this film shed light on the
relationship between art and the human sciences (more specifically political
science)? Explain.
3.
How does emotion and imagination play a role in
political activism? Do they help or
hinder the process of activism? What are
some other WoKs featured/used in this documentary and how are they used?
4.
What are some ethical implications of the
artistic knowledge Ai Wei Wei is trying to produce? Is Ai Wei Wei trying to produce artistic
knowledge or knowledge in some other AoK?
Explain.
5.
Is there another AoK that would be more useful
to Ai Wei Wei (and Chinese citizens with similar motives) to achieve his goals? Why would it be more useful? Why would it not?
6.
How does the role of political authority inhibit
the creation of artistic knowledge?
7.
What is more important, the message he is
sending to the Chinese government, or the way in which he is doing it? Why?
In class Durrell and I (with the help.of mr. Sharpe) kinda formulated a knowledge issue:
ReplyDeleteTo what extent does art influence political change?
I think that art does not bring radical change to government. It impacts society but art alone cannot bring about revolution on its own. Ai WeiWei is doing great work but I doubt it will change the government policies.
Wow Jalicia, that isnt what I remember you saying. But that's not my business. My argument was centered around art being a spark for change. Since art provides a reflection of opinions and beliefs, art can be an influence upon its viewers. This can cause a audience to feel something (ties in to emotion) about the central idea of the piece. This is the initial spark that at least presents the idea of something to the viewers.
DeleteThat's a solid point but I guess you totally missed the point I was trying to make. Art does impact the audience but the authority figures aren't apart of the general audience. And since you have no evidence let me guide you a bit. Name one instance in history where an artist has caused revolution.
DeleteSince you probably are not familiar with the techniques of formal debating, let ME help YOU. What defines art for you?
DeleteWait, let's use the books definition.
DeleteTo me, art is any form of aesthetic expression through a medium. Yet you still haven't answered my question.
DeleteThe Death of Marat actually helped to precipitate the French Revolution alone since it depicted Marat lying dead in his bathroom. Marat was one of the the revolutionary leaders, and so his death galvanized people. You two would know this if you had taken AP Art History but that's none of my business. Clearly you both also lack insufficient information to answer your KI.
DeleteAlso, considering you may think of history as going way far back, the Mona Lisa, in all of its magnificence, sparked the beginnings of the debate over universal expressions. Her smile has been the poster for the revolution of a world view that recignizes that a smile is positive despite your location.
ReplyDeleteAre you still reading it or are you thinking of things to say? Please answer A.S.A.P. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all your rude tone is not appreciated. Secondly, the basis on which you discussed the Mona Lisa is weak. I for one haven't seen any posters of revolution featuring Mona Lisa that have led to political change. Maybe you made it up, maybe you were out of ideas idk. And though that essay was cute, I don't believe the world has seen all feminist ideals met. At least not in the context of this question. Which you really aren't answering. No shade though. Maybe you should check the ways of knowing or areas of knowledge. It might help you, being this is a TOK blog.
DeleteSo being rude is fine when you do it, but when I do it, it's a problem? Now that, IS my business. But that's off topic, I will trt to sweeten things up for you a bit. I think you should have shaped the question to actually ask what you wanted to ask. You asked posted 'Name one instance in history where an artist has caused revolution.' I gave you several. You didnt ask abou politics. You only asked about revolution. I apologize for not being able to read your mind Jalicia.
ReplyDeleteBack to the KI (knowledge issue for those who don't know), it asks to what extent. We have both agreed that it can to some extent.
I have a question, what is the purpose of art? I won't place any time limits on you. Just know that my show comes on at 9pm. I sincerely hope that this doesn't offend anyone, especially you Jalicia. I never want you to feel like I am taking jabs. I am not. Sorry if you interpret that way.
Oh don't worry, I'm not offended in the slightest. It's just the KI asked how political change occurred because of art. If you don't have any evidence to support your claim that's okay. Art arouses emotion by its power to challenge ethics. The purpose of art is to reflect one's inner beliefs and feelings- some of those being political. Art and politics however do not mix enough to lead to the changing of laws or policies. I hope you find my answer sufficient to your standards.
DeleteI was answering YOUR proposed question which was quoted. I just want to say that I have said that art sparks the change. I agree with some, if not most, of the things you said about art not being the sole cause of a political change. However, what I did say was, it was an initial cause. 'A' implies one of many. Of course people don't look at art and go, "well, I guess ill start marching against the government."
DeleteI think we should agree to disagree.
Unfortunately, you aren't open to seeing my perspective and you are not making yours too clear. Maybe we can talk about this in person or in class on Monday with some sort of meditation. The class may be able to provide more opinions on the matter. Mr. Sharpe already gave his, but I don't think you were pleased with it. I wish you a good evening Jalicia and I will talk to you tomorrow in person. I really want to get down to the bottom of this question. Have a nice evening.
For the sake of being civil, I hope you too have a pleasant evening since “[your] show comes on at 9pm". But that's not my business. On that note, have a nice day Durrell.
DeleteI decided to tackle question number 3 again because I feel like I did an inadequate job of explaining it in class. Emotion plays a major role in political activism because the feelings of strength, courage, desire, etc. drive us (or in this case, the Chinese people) to reform what currently stands with regards to politics. Throughout the documentary, the numerous protestors (especially when Ai WeiWei disappeared) shouted full of anger and expressed their fear for Ai WeiWei's well-being. Imagination plays an active role in political activism too as imagination allows for the people to envision what the future will look like if their reform is successful. Imagination can be a hindrance though because creating an idealistic view of the future can cause disappointment if it does not depict the exact precise way you thought it would be. Emotions can also be a hindrance as the emotions sometimes overpower the reason, which may (in the eyes of the officials) lower the credibility of the argument. Some other WoKs used in the documentary are reason and intuition. Reason is used in numerous portions of the documentary such as when Ai WeiWei calms his mother after she fears for his well-being. Reason is also disregarded in many points such as when Ai WeiWei snatched the sunglasses off of the officer's face. He allowed his emotions to overpower his reason and it resulted in a scuffle with the plain-clothed police force. Intuition is a way of knowing that Ai WeiWei often ignores. He knows that his actions have severe consequences and he ignores that immediate sense he gets when he is protesting the government. For example, his intuition tells him that he shouldn't stick his middle finger up at the Chinese government, nor should he say obscene vulgarities about the "mother country", yet he still commits these actions for the sake of his cause.
ReplyDeleteWe ALL need to relax and take a deep breath. This is not a competition. I am very glad you are all trying to participate, but the sass and sarcasm is not necessary from ANYONE. Again, thank you all for participating but please please please these are supposed to be discussions NOT arguments.
ReplyDeleteSorry Mr. Sharpe.
Delete