10.3 Visual arts and film

Henry Ossawa Tanner was a prominent African American painter known for his realistic and emotive depictions of African American life, religious themes, and biblical scenes. His work is celebrated for breaking racial barriers in the art world during a time when African American artists faced significant challenges. Tanner's unique style blended elements of realism and impressionism, making him a significant figure in the visual arts, particularly in the context of representation in art.

Impressionism: An art movement characterized by loose brushwork, emphasis on light and color, and a focus on capturing the effects of light in a moment.

Racial Realism: A movement that aimed to depict the lives and experiences of African Americans with honesty and depth, challenging stereotypes prevalent in art and society.

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts: The first museum and school of fine arts in the United States, where Tanner studied and became influenced by his mentors.

Spike Lee is an influential American film director, producer, writer, and actor known for his impactful contributions to cinema, particularly in portraying the African American experience. His films often address complex social issues, including race relations, identity, and urban life, making him a pivotal figure in the visual arts and film landscape since the late 20th century.

Do the Right Thing: A critically acclaimed film directed by Spike Lee in 1989 that explores racial tensions in a Brooklyn neighborhood during a hot summer day.

BlacKkKlansman: A 2018 film by Spike Lee based on the true story of an African American detective who infiltrates the Ku Klux Klan, highlighting themes of racism and social justice.

Independent Film Movement: A movement that emerged in the 1980s and 1990s promoting films made outside of the traditional studio system, with Spike Lee being one of its most prominent figures.

Social justice refers to the pursuit of equality, fairness, and the equitable distribution of resources and opportunities within society. It aims to address and rectify systemic inequalities based on race, gender, class, and other identities, advocating for the rights of marginalized groups. This concept is deeply connected to movements and cultural expressions that seek to challenge discrimination and promote inclusivity.

Civil Rights Movement: A social movement aimed at ending racial discrimination and securing equal rights for African Americans, especially in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s.

Intersectionality: A framework for understanding how different aspects of a person's identity (such as race, gender, sexuality) overlap and interact to shape unique experiences of discrimination and privilege.

Equity: The principle of fairness that involves recognizing different needs and circumstances among individuals or groups to provide appropriate resources and opportunities.

Aaron Douglas was a prominent African American painter and muralist, recognized as a leading figure in the Harlem Renaissance. His artwork reflected the experiences and struggles of African Americans, blending modernist styles with African motifs to create powerful visual narratives that celebrated Black culture and identity.

Harlem Renaissance: A cultural, social, and artistic explosion that took place in Harlem, New York, during the 1920s, highlighting the achievements of African Americans in literature, music, and visual arts.

Modernism: An artistic and cultural movement that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by a break from traditional forms and an exploration of new techniques and perspectives.

African American Art: Art created by African American artists that often reflects their cultural heritage, social issues, and personal experiences, playing a crucial role in the broader narrative of American art.

The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural, social, and artistic explosion that took place in Harlem, New York, during the 1920s, characterized by a flourishing of African American art, literature, music, and intellectual thought. It served as a powerful response to the systemic racism and disenfranchisement faced by African Americans, fostering a sense of racial pride and identity while significantly influencing American culture.

New Negro Movement: A cultural movement emphasizing racial pride and the rejection of stereotypes, closely associated with the Harlem Renaissance and promoting African American art and literature.

Jazz Age: A term used to describe the cultural era in the 1920s marked by the popularity of jazz music and dance, which was heavily influenced by the contributions of African American musicians during the Harlem Renaissance.

Langston Hughes: An influential poet, social activist, and playwright who was a leading figure of the Harlem Renaissance, known for his insightful and powerful exploration of African American life.

Jacob Lawrence was a prominent African American painter known for his vibrant and dynamic works that depict the experiences of African Americans throughout history. His art often focused on themes such as migration, struggle, and cultural identity, making significant contributions to the Harlem Renaissance and the broader visual arts movement in the 20th century.

Harlem Renaissance: A cultural movement during the 1920s and 1930s centered in Harlem, New York, showcasing African American art, literature, music, and intellectualism.

The Great Migration: The mass movement of African Americans from the rural Southern United States to urban areas in the North and West between 1916 and 1970, which significantly shaped African American culture.

Social Realism: An artistic movement that aimed to draw attention to social issues and the lives of everyday people, often highlighting struggles related to class, race, and injustice.

The Migration Series is a collection of paintings by Jacob Lawrence that depicts the African American migration from the rural South to urban centers in the North during the early 20th century. This series consists of 60 panels, capturing the struggles, aspirations, and experiences of African Americans as they sought better opportunities and living conditions. Lawrence's vivid use of color and dynamic compositions serve to convey not only the narrative of migration but also the broader context of African American history and culture.

Harlem Renaissance: A cultural movement in the 1920s and 1930s centered in Harlem, New York, characterized by a flourishing of African American art, literature, and music.

Great Migration: The mass movement of African Americans from the rural South to industrial cities in the North, particularly between 1916 and 1970, seeking better economic opportunities and escaping racial segregation.

Social Realism: An artistic movement that aims to highlight social issues and promote social change, often focusing on the lives of everyday people and their struggles.

Romare Bearden was an influential African American artist and writer known for his collages that depicted the African American experience and culture. His work often blended elements of jazz, folk art, and photography to create vibrant narratives that highlighted social issues, history, and the richness of Black life in America. Bearden's contributions to visual arts and film have made him a significant figure in the representation of African American identity.

Collage: A technique in visual arts where various materials such as photographs, paper, and fabric are combined to create a new work of art.

Harlem Renaissance: A cultural movement in the 1920s that celebrated African American artistic expression, particularly in literature, music, and visual arts.

Jazz: A music genre that originated in the African American communities of New Orleans, characterized by its improvisational style and rhythm.

Oscar Micheaux was an influential African American filmmaker, author, and civil rights activist, known for creating films that addressed the complexities of race relations in America during the early 20th century. He is often celebrated as the first major African American feature filmmaker and for founding his own production company, which allowed him to produce films that depicted the realities of Black life and challenged stereotypes prevalent in Hollywood.

Race Films: Films produced for African American audiences during the early 20th century, often featuring Black casts and stories that highlighted the experiences of Black Americans.

Silent Film Era: A period in film history (1890s to late 1920s) when movies were produced without synchronized sound, requiring visual storytelling techniques and intertitles to convey dialogue.

The Birth of a Nation: A 1915 silent film directed by D.W. Griffith, notorious for its racist portrayal of African Americans and glorification of the Ku Klux Klan, which sparked protests and counter-narratives from filmmakers like Micheaux.

Gordon Parks was an influential African American photographer, filmmaker, and writer, known for his powerful visual storytelling that highlighted social issues, particularly those related to race and poverty. His work in photography and film broke barriers and provided an authentic representation of the African American experience during the civil rights movement and beyond, making him a pivotal figure in visual arts.

Photojournalism: A form of journalism that uses images to tell a news story, capturing real-life events and social issues.

Social Documentary: A genre of photography that focuses on social issues and aims to promote change through visual storytelling.

Civil Rights Movement: A struggle for social justice that aimed to end racial discrimination and secure equal rights for African Americans in the United States.

The Learning Tree is a powerful symbol of growth and knowledge, often used in visual arts and film to represent the interconnectedness of life experiences, education, and cultural heritage. It embodies the idea that learning is a lifelong journey shaped by personal and collective histories, as well as community connections. The image of the learning tree is commonly employed in various artistic expressions to convey themes of resilience, growth, and the importance of nurturing one's roots.

Cultural Heritage: The legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society inherited from past generations.

Symbolism: The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities, often found in art and literature to convey deeper meanings.

Narrative Structure: The framework that outlines the arrangement of a story's events, crucial in film and visual arts to enhance thematic expression.

The phrase 'do the right thing' refers to taking ethical actions that align with moral principles, often in the face of difficult choices. This concept resonates deeply in visual arts and film, where creators grapple with social justice themes, representation, and the moral implications of their work. By encouraging audiences to reflect on their values, this phrase serves as a call to action for both artists and viewers to confront societal issues and contribute positively to cultural narratives.

Social Justice: The pursuit of fairness and equality in social, economic, and political rights for all individuals.

Censorship: The suppression or prohibition of speech, public communication, or other information that may be considered objectionable or harmful.

Representation: The depiction or portrayal of individuals from diverse backgrounds in art and media, impacting public perception and understanding.

Malcolm X was a prominent African American civil rights activist and leader, known for his advocacy of Black empowerment and his critique of systemic racism in the United States. His ideology evolved from a focus on racial separation to a broader call for human rights and social justice, reflecting significant shifts within the civil rights movement. He became an influential figure in the emergence of Black Power ideology, urban activism, and left a lasting impact on visual arts and film through his life story and speeches.

Nation of Islam: A religious and social movement that advocated for Black nationalism, led by figures such as Elijah Muhammad, and significantly influenced Malcolm X's early beliefs.

Black Power: A political slogan and movement that emerged in the 1960s advocating for racial dignity, economic self-sufficiency, and freedom from white authority.

Civil Rights Act of 1964: A landmark piece of federal legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, which Malcolm X criticized for its limitations in achieving true equality.

Ava DuVernay is an acclaimed American filmmaker, director, producer, and screenwriter known for her powerful storytelling and focus on social issues, particularly those related to race and identity. Her work challenges stereotypes and amplifies marginalized voices, making significant contributions to visual arts and film by highlighting the African American experience and historical narratives.

Selma: A historical drama directed by Ava DuVernay that depicts the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches led by Martin Luther King Jr., showcasing the struggle for civil rights.

13th: A documentary film directed by Ava DuVernay that explores the intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States, focusing on the 13th Amendment.

Independent Film: Films produced outside of the major film studio system, often characterized by a lower budget and a more personal approach to storytelling, a realm where DuVernay has made significant contributions.

Selma is a city in Alabama that became a pivotal location during the Civil Rights Movement, particularly known for the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965. These marches were significant events that highlighted the struggle for voting rights for African Americans and are celebrated for their impact on the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Voting Rights Act of 1965: A landmark piece of federal legislation in the United States that prohibited racial discrimination in voting, aimed at eliminating barriers that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote.

Martin Luther King Jr.: A key leader of the Civil Rights Movement who advocated for nonviolent protest and played a crucial role in organizing the Selma to Montgomery marches.

Bloody Sunday: The term used to describe the violent events that occurred on March 7, 1965, when marchers were brutally confronted by law enforcement at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma.

The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. Ratified in 1865, it marked a significant turning point in American history, signaling the legal end of slavery in the United States and setting the stage for future civil rights movements. The amendment is crucial in understanding the ongoing struggle for racial equality and justice in America.

Emancipation Proclamation: An executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 that declared the freedom of all enslaved people in Confederate-held territory.

Civil Rights Movement: A social movement in the 1950s and 1960s aimed at ending racial discrimination and ensuring equal rights for African Americans.

Mass Incarceration: A term describing the substantial increase in the number of incarcerated people in the U.S., disproportionately affecting African Americans, often linked to systemic racism and policies following the 13th Amendment.

'When They See Us' is a powerful limited series that dramatizes the true story of the Central Park Five, a group of Black and Latino teenagers wrongfully convicted of a brutal crime in 1989. The series, directed by Ava DuVernay, explores themes of racial injustice, police misconduct, and the impact of systemic racism on the lives of the accused and their families. It highlights the broader societal implications of the wrongful convictions, reflecting on how race and media portrayal can distort justice and public perception.

Central Park Five: 'The Central Park Five' refers to the five Black and Latino teens who were falsely accused and convicted of the assault and rape of a jogger in Central Park, leading to their wrongful imprisonment for years before being exonerated.

Ava DuVernay: 'Ava DuVernay' is an acclaimed filmmaker and director known for her work on social justice issues, including the film '13th' and the series 'When They See Us', which both highlight systemic racism in America.'

Systemic Racism: 'Systemic racism' refers to the policies and practices entrenched in established institutions that disproportionately disadvantage people of color, often perpetuating racial inequality across various aspects of life.'

Cultural identity refers to the shared values, beliefs, practices, and experiences that define a group of people and distinguish them from others. It encompasses aspects such as ethnicity, language, traditions, and art forms, allowing individuals to connect with their heritage and community. Cultural identity plays a crucial role in shaping personal and collective narratives, particularly through visual arts and film, as these mediums serve as powerful tools for expression and storytelling within cultural contexts.

Ethnicity: A social construct that categorizes people based on shared cultural traits, such as language, religion, or customs.

Representation: The portrayal of characters, cultures, and experiences in art and media, often influencing public perception and understanding.

Cultural Heritage: The legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society that are inherited from past generations.