Assignment Objective
To make connections between the philosophy of Existentialism and art of the mid 20th century.
Assignment Directions
Your assignment must be at least 750 words.
Using the Module 4 resources, explore the philosophy of Existentialism and then do your best to explain how the mid-20th century philosophy of Existentialism possibly or explicitly influenced two artists from the 1940’s or 1950’s. Pick from:
Visual Arts (Examples: Jackson Pollock, George Segal, Lee Krasner, Mark Rothko, Francis Bacon, William de Kooning, Edward Hopper, Helen Frankenthaler, Alberto Giacometti)
Performing Arts: Theater/Music/Dance(Examples: Samuel Beckett, Arthur Miller, John Cage, Merce Cunningham)
Literature/Poetry (Examples: George Orwell, Albert Camus, Rabindranath Tagore, Dylan Thomas)
Film (Examples: Film Noir, Ingmar Bergman, Roberto Rossellini, Akira Kurosawa)
Provide clear supporting details on the change in the medium influenced by Existentialism.
Example of what you might do: I want to know whether or not Existential concepts influenced the art of the mid-20th century. I’m going to explore this idea by comparing/contrasting two specific works – one from sculptor Alberto Giacometti and one from painter Mark Rothko. I will make sure I refer to the historical/cultural context of the artists as well as specific Existential concepts like:
We are condemned to be free
We are alone with no excuses
We seek meaning in a meaningless world
We live in a world that is meaningless. We bring meaning to it.
any other concepts you find applicable
Think of this assignment as a chance to EXPLORE the influence of Existentialism rather than an assignment with a definite answer. Focus on this task – to get even more familiar with the concepts of this philosophy as well as the arts it may have influenced. Don’t worry about the grade as much as increasing your understanding in preparation for the next test. If you make an honest attempt that shows critical thinking and effort, you will get your points. WATCH the video Bright Lights, Brilliant Minds – New York 1951located in the Module 4 Overview -> Supplemental Learning Resources area for some insight on the history and culture of NYC at the time.
