Pablo Picasso said:“We all know that Art is not truth. Art is a lie that makes us realize truth, at least the truth that is given us to understand. The artist must know the manner whereby to convince others of the truthfulness of his lies”. What do you think he meant by this? What is the “truth” that art makes us realize?
2.Research Dada artist Marcel Duchamp and his infamous piece titled “Fountain”, as well as his “readymades.” (see link below). We will discuss this work in class. Why do you think many have called “Fountain” one of the most important works of art of the twentieth century? Pay careful attention to James Montgomery Flagg’s “I Want You” recruitment poster , and Saville Lumley’s “Daddy, what did YOU do in the Great War?” poster . What is being communicated in each of these propaganda posters? More importantly, how is the message expressed in these posters? In other words, what kind of voice or tone is the speaker using to persuade the audience?
4.What is eliminationism? What are the signs of eliminationism, or forms that it takes, as it begins to appear in the media? Can you think of a contemporary (last 20 years or so) example of this?
