Today: Art & Social Values n Readings: Mitchell, Gamboni and Zolberg n Discussion of Choices of Topics and Scheduling

Offending Images-- and assumptions about what art communicates (Mitchell) n Two main assumptions u Image linked transparently to what it represents (what is done to image is what it represents) u Image possesses capacity for feeling what is done to it (pseudopersons)

Less obvious factors in controversies (Mitchell) 1. Offending images unstable, capacity for harm depends on complex social contexts & interactions that change 2. Images do not all offend in the same way (offense to beholder, something represented, manner of representation) 3. Images that offend many people inspire laws, policies 4. Offenses to images take different forms (iconoclasm, vandalism etc.)

Examples from Mitchell n Richard Serra’s Tilted Arc

Maya Lin’s Vietnam Veteran’s War Memorial

Lin

Mapplethorpe

Michelangelo David

Swastika

Confederate Flag

Jasper Johns Flag

Marcus Harvey Myra

Damian Hirst

Poussin Adoration of the Golden Calf

Serrano Piss Christ

Offili n Outrage over Virgin Mary? n Outrage about symbolic desecration

Example: Chris Ofili’s dung-covered Madonna & the Sensations show at the Brooklyn museum in fall 1999 n Catholic Mayor of New York offended, tried to shut it down & withdraw funding to museum n intentions? title of show (Sensations) n owned by patron Saatchi n rise in value of work, etc. n Culture Wars: notion of competing values (moral, aesthetic etc…)

Why do images inspire hatred? (Bruno Latour Iconclash) n ways of understanding iconoclasts u Inner goals u Roles ascribed to images u Effects of destruction on others u How reactions of those assocciated with images are interpreted by iconoclasts u Effects on the destroyer’s own feelings

Planning Short Assignments and Class Presentations n Discussion of reading assignments and ideas for topics n Research resources (library)

Note to Users of these Outlines-- n not all material covered in class appears on these outlines-- important examples, demonstrations and discussions aren’t written down here. n Classes are efficient ways communicating information and provide you will an opportunity for regular learning. These outlines are provided as a study aid not a replacement for classes.