Fine Arts: Section V-VII Flashcards
1
Q
What do the artworks discussed focus on?
A
Different ways in which humans perceive and are affected by their environments
2
Q
What is the tendency within the larger field of environmental science?
A
To focus on objective data instead of subjective experience
3
Q
What must change to address the current climate crisis?
A
Opinions of the general public, daily habits, consumption, and commitments to reversing environmental degradation
4
Q
What is the goal of contemporary eco art practitioners?
A
To contribute to bettering the climate crisis
5
Q
True or False: The scientific community has fundamentally changed daily lives and political agendas.
A
False
6
Q
Who are some early American environmental writers mentioned?
A
- Henry David Thoreau
- John Muir
- Aldo Leopold
7
Q
What perspective did early American environmental writers often write from?
A
A solitary perspective
8
Q
What critique is made about the traditional environmentalist perspective?
A
It tends to silence perspectives of gender and cultural difference
9
Q
Who was Alma Woodsey Thomas?
A
An African-American artist and teacher known for her abstract art
10
Q
What significant achievement did Alma Thomas accomplish in 1972?
A
She became the first Black woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art
11
Q
What inspired Alma Thomas’s ‘Space Paintings’?
A
Photographs of Earth taken by the Apollo 10 and 11 missions
12
Q
What is the main theme of Thomas’s painting ‘Snoopy–Early Sun Display on Earth’?
A
The relationship between local and global ideas of ecology
13
Q
What does Thomas’s application of paint in her works suggest?
A
A multitude of life forms and an ambiguous sense of depth
14
Q
What beautification campaign was Washington, D.C. a part of during Thomas’s career?
A
A campaign pioneered by Lady Bird Johnson
15
Q
What legislation did President Lyndon B. Johnson pass related to environmentalism?
A
- Clean Air Act (1963)
- Wilderness Act (1964)
- Creation of North Cascades and Redwood National Parks (1968)
16
Q
What was Lady Bird Johnson’s vision of environmentalism?
A
An inclusive movement that emphasizes mutual interest in the environment
17
Q
What did Nathan Hare critique in his work ‘Black Ecology’?
A
The exclusion of Black environmental interests from the ecology movement
18
Q
What movement emerged in the early 1990s addressing ecological racism?
A
The environmental justice movement
19
Q
What was Alma Thomas’s perspective on beauty in her art?
A
She sought to concentrate on beauty and happiness
20
Q
Who was Ana Mendieta?
A
A Cuban artist known for her multimedia performances and exploration of identity
21
Q
What experience did Ana Mendieta draw upon in her art?
A
Her exile from Cuba and connection to Latin American culture
22
Q
What did Mendieta’s early works often explore?
A
Issues of gender and identity
23
Q
Fill in the blank: Mendieta’s series ‘Silueta’ consisted of traced or sculpted outlines of her body using _______.
A
[various materials and methods]
24
Q
What cultural influences did Mendieta incorporate into her works?
A
- Roman Catholic sources
- Pre-Columbian sources
25
What was the significance of Mendieta's work 'Flowers on Body'?
It blended symbols of life and death to reconnect with pre-Columbian culture
26
What did Mendieta's performances often evoke?
Cuban Santería rituals and radical performances
27
What was a common theme in Mendieta's site-specific body works?
The integration of sacred and secular forms
28
What materials and methods did Mendieta use for her 'Siluetas'?
Mendieta used ignited gunpowder, leaves, grass, mud, stones, other natural elements, and cloth
## Footnote
The 'Siluetas' are outlines of her body created on the ground.
29
What were the primary themes examined in Mendieta's 'Siluetas'?
Performance, gender, violence, ecological concerns
## Footnote
The 'Siluetas' reflect Mendieta's interests in these areas while also addressing female presence and environmental issues.
30
How did Mendieta contrast her work with that of Earthwork artists?
Her work offered a stark contrast to the environmental disruption and permanence of Earthwork artists
## Footnote
Mendieta's 'Siluetas' emphasized ephemerality and the transient nature of her art.
31
What did Mendieta mean by 'I am redefining nature in a different way'?
She aimed to feed into a universal and material energy coursing through the earth, rather than 'using' nature
## Footnote
Mendieta critiqued male artists who she felt brutalized nature.
32
What personal experience influenced Mendieta's art?
Her displacement from Cuba during adolescence
## Footnote
This experience informed her dialogue between the landscape and the female body.
33
What role did Mendieta play in Cuba during the 1980s?
She served as a tour guide, created and exhibited her own work, and connected with other Latin American artists
## Footnote
Her role involved engaging with art, ecology, and ideology.
34
What is the significance of Santería in Mendieta's work?
She borrowed its use of elemental natural materials to infuse spiritual power or 'magic' into her art
## Footnote
Mendieta recalled the cultural significance of Santería from her childhood in Cuba.
35
Who is Rebecca Belmore?
An Indigenous multidisciplinary artist from Upsala, Ontario, Canada, and a member of the Lac Seul First Nation
## Footnote
Belmore engages with issues related to Indigenous struggles in her art.
36
What was the Kanesatake Resistance or Oka Crisis?
A seventy-eight-day political standoff in 1990 where Mohawk tribe members protested against construction on disputed land
## Footnote
The protest aimed to block the development of a golf course and townhomes on burial grounds.
37
What is Ayum-ee-aawach Oomama-mowan: Speaking to Their Mother?
A megaphone-shaped artwork created by Belmore to amplify Indigenous voices and engage with land rights
## Footnote
The artwork is designed for artistic performance and social gatherings.
38
What does the term 'Place-Thought' refer to?
The idea that land is alive and thinking, granting agency to humans and non-humans
## Footnote
This concept is explored in relation to Belmore's artwork.
39
What was the significance of the 1992 anniversary for Belmore's work?
It marked the 500th anniversary of Columbus's landing, prompting discussions on Indigenous social and environmental issues
## Footnote
Belmore's work sought to address these ongoing issues during that time.
40
How does Speaking to Their Mother engage participants?
It invites participants to speak directly to the land through the megaphone, fostering dialogue and political protest
## Footnote
The focus is on the act of speaking to the land rather than on the artwork itself.
41
What is the Fundred Project?
A collaborative project initiated by Mel Chin to raise awareness about childhood lead poisoning in New Orleans
## Footnote
Participants draw unique $100 bills to contribute to the project.
42
What is Revival Field?
An interdisciplinary project by Mel Chin aimed at removing heavy metals from polluted soil using hyperaccumulator plants
## Footnote
The project collaborates with experts to address ecological issues.
43
What was See-Saw and its significance?
An artwork by Mel Chin that involved two boxes connected by a hydraulic system, encouraging social interaction
## Footnote
It combines elements of Minimalism and Earthworks to create unexpected participant experiences.
44
What was the goal of the GALA Committee?
To broaden the ideas and aesthetic horizons of television audiences through art placed in the soap opera Melrose Place
## Footnote
The initiative aimed to work with commercial television as a site for education and artistic expression.
45
What is Wave Sound?
A series of performative works by Belmore consisting of large metal cones designed to help participants listen to the environment
## Footnote
Unlike Speaking to Their Mother, Wave Sound emphasizes listening rather than speaking.
46
What method did Chin devise to remove heavy metals from contaminated soil?
Planting Thlaspi, a hyperaccumulator that absorbs heavy-metal particulate into its roots and leaves.
## Footnote
Thlaspi is an effective plant for phytoremediation, particularly for metals like cadmium.
47
What is the significance of Revival Field in relation to earlier Earthworks?
It departs from earlier site-based Earthworks by effectively improving the ecological condition of the site.
## Footnote
Revival Field serves both as an artwork and an ecological remediation project.
48
What issue has Chin turned to in more recent projects?
Climate change.
## Footnote
This shift includes works like his film The Arctic Is, which addresses the global impacts of climate change.
49
What was the focus of Chin's film The Arctic Is?
The dire effects of the climate crisis as described by an Inuit hunter, Jens Danielson.
## Footnote
The film was created during the COP21 UN Paris Climate Change Conference.
50
What interactive experience did Unmoored provide to visitors in Times Square?
A digital app that allowed users to visualize New York City under twenty-six feet of water due to climate change.
## Footnote
Unmoored blends real and digital experiences to engage users actively.
51
What technology does Unmoored utilize to engage participants?
Mixed reality.
## Footnote
This technology blends real-world environments with digital enhancements, prompting reflection on climate change.
52
What did Al Gore's documentary An Inconvenient Truth achieve?
It informed the public about the climate crisis, marking a cultural benchmark in the United States.
## Footnote
Despite raising awareness, it did not lead to substantial action to slow climate change.
53
What is the primary medium of Frazier's artistic practice?
Photography.
## Footnote
Frazier also incorporates video, performance, installation, and artist's books into her work.
54
What social issues does Frazier's work primarily address?
Social justice in the American experience, focusing on Rust Belt communities.
## Footnote
Frazier's work often highlights the impact of industrial decline on these communities.
55
What significant award did Frazier receive for her book Flint Is Family In Three Acts?
The Gordon Parks Foundation/Steidl Book prize.
## Footnote
This book addresses the struggles of working-class families during the Flint water crisis.
56
What artistic approach does Frazier employ in her work?
Using the family photo album format to critique cultural and systemic issues.
## Footnote
This format allows her to explore personal narratives while addressing broader societal themes.
57
What does Frazier's project A Notion of Family reveal?
The impact of industrial decline on her family and community in Braddock.
## Footnote
The project juxtaposes personal family images with the decay of industrial spaces.
58
What critique does Frazier make regarding representation in historical narratives?
The exclusion of African Americans from the history of Braddock and the American grand narrative.
## Footnote
Frazier aims to tell the stories of marginalized communities through her art.
59
What was the cause of the Flint water crisis?
The switch of water supply from Lake Huron to the polluted Flint River.
## Footnote
This led to severe contamination, including lead poisoning in the water supply.
60
What is environmental racism?
The disproportionate ecological hazards directed at communities of color.
## Footnote
Frazier highlights this issue in her work, particularly in relation to the Flint water crisis.
61
What does Frazier's Flint Is Family in Three Acts demonstrate about art?
The ability of visual art to empower and enact visible change.
## Footnote
Frazier uses her art to document struggles and advocate for resources and justice.
62
What is the importance of the human experience of environments in contemporary eco art?
It can help change the ways that people imagine and behave in the world.
## Footnote
This focus on human experience is crucial for addressing environmental issues.
63
Who was Alma Thomas?
An artist and teacher who became the first Black woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art.
## Footnote
Thomas's work is recognized for its contributions to abstract art and environmental themes.
64
What characterizes Alma Thomas's painting Snoopy–Early Sun Display on Earth?
Abstract, colorful compositions.
## Footnote
This painting is part of her series known as “Space Paintings.”
65
What impact did Lady Bird Johnson have on Alma Thomas's work?
Her efforts on local and national beautification coincided with Thomas's artistic themes.
## Footnote
Thomas's work reflects both local and global environmental consciousness.
66
What themes does Ana Mendieta's artwork address?
Gender, identity, and the natural environment.
## Footnote
Mendieta's work often incorporates elements from her cultural background and environmental context.
67
What artistic techniques did Mendieta use in her early works?
Performance art incorporating natural materials and outdoor environments.
## Footnote
Her work often reflects her Cuban heritage and engages with nature.
68
Who is Ana Mendieta?
An artist born in Cuba whose artwork addresses issues of gender, identity, and the natural environment
## Footnote
Mendieta's early works drew upon Santería rituals and postwar performance acts.
69
What is the 'Silueta' series?
A series of traced or sculpted outlines of Mendieta’s body using various materials
## Footnote
Materials included ignited gunpowder, leaves, grass, mud, stones, and cloth.
70
What themes does the 'Silueta' series explore?
Performance, gender, violence, and ecological concerns
## Footnote
It contrasts with contemporary male Land artists by examining female presence.
71
Who is Rebecca Belmore?
A contemporary multidisciplinary artist and member of the Lac Seul First Nation
## Footnote
She was the first Indigenous person to represent Canada at the Venice Biennale.
72
What is 'Ayum-ee-aawach Oomama-mowan: Speaking to Their Mother'?
A work created in response to the Kanesatake Resistance or Oka Crisis
## Footnote
It is a cone made of wood and animal hide, measuring six feet wide and seven feet long.
73
What does the megaphone in Belmore's work symbolize?
A device for activating artistic performance and social gatherings
## Footnote
It invites speech from Belmore and others to speak to the land.
74
Who is Mel Chin?
An Asian-American artist whose practice includes various media and addresses social and ecological concerns
## Footnote
His work includes sculpture, animation, installation, and performance.
75
What is 'Revival Field'?
A project using plants to remove heavy metals from contaminated soil
## Footnote
It is ongoing since 1991.
76
What is 'Unmoored'?
A work by Mel Chin that combines interdisciplinary collaboration and social activism
## Footnote
It uses mixed reality to engage public opinion on climate issues.
77
Who is LaToya Ruby Frazier?
An African-American artist and activist centered on photography and other media
## Footnote
Her practice critiques cultural and systemic issues through family photo albums.
78
What is the significance of the project 'Flint Is Family'?
A photographic series in response to Flint, Michigan's health crisis due to poisoned water
## Footnote
It includes three acts documenting the experiences of affected families.
79
What ancient philosopher declared, 'The goal of life is living in agreement with nature'?
Zeno
## Footnote
This statement reflects early human awareness of environmental concerns.
80
What did Hippocrates write that is regarded as the oldest surviving European study of human ecology?
De aëre, aquis, et locis
## Footnote
This work discusses the relationship between humans and their environment.
81
When was the first Clean Air Act passed in Britain?
1956
## Footnote
The U.S. followed with its act in 1963, strengthened in 1970.
82
Who wrote 'Silent Spring' and when was it published?
Rachel Carson, published in 1962
## Footnote
The book documented the effects of DDT on the environment.
83
What symbol did Ron Cobb devise in 1969?
An ecology symbol combining 'e' for environment and 'o' for organism
## Footnote
It represented unity and wholeness within the planetary orbit.
84
What year is celebrated as the first Earth Day?
1970
## Footnote
Approximately twenty million people participated in the first event.
85
Who is Joni Mitchell?
A folk music artist known for her environmental themes
## Footnote
She was born Roberta Joan Anderson.
86
What was the inspiration for Joni Mitchell's song 'Big Yellow Taxi'?
Her experience in Hawaii and the contrast between natural beauty and urban development
## Footnote
The song reflects concerns for environmental degradation.
87
What song did Joni Mitchell write to commemorate her experience in Hawaii?
Big Yellow Taxi
## Footnote
The song is also known as 'They Paved Paradise and Put in a Parking Lot.'
88
Which mountain does Joni Mitchell reference in 'Big Yellow Taxi'?
Sugarloaf Mountain
## Footnote
This implies she was on the island of Maui.
89
What does the 'pink hotel' refer to in 'Big Yellow Taxi'?
Royal Hawaiian Resort
## Footnote
The hotel has hosted guests since 1927.
90
What environmental concern does Joni Mitchell raise in 'Big Yellow Taxi'?
Misguided destruction of 'paradise' for money
## Footnote
She also references DDT and urges against its use in agriculture.
91
What style did Joni Mitchell describe 'Big Yellow Taxi' as?
Ecology rock ’n’ roll
92
What instrument did Joni Mitchell use for the recording of 'Big Yellow Taxi'?
Acoustic guitar
## Footnote
This is in contrast to the electric guitar typical of rock music.
93
What vocal technique did Joni Mitchell use in 'Big Yellow Taxi'?
Multi-tracking
## Footnote
This technique is also known as over-dubbing.
94
What structure does 'Big Yellow Taxi' exemplify?
Verse-chorus form
95
Which musical mode does Joni Mitchell use in portions of the chorus of 'Big Yellow Taxi'?
Mixolydian mode
96
What was the peak Billboard chart position of the live version of 'Big Yellow Taxi' released in 1974?
Number 24
97
How many different versions of 'Big Yellow Taxi' have been recorded as of September 2023?
565 different versions
98
What significant achievement did BMI award Joni Mitchell for 'Big Yellow Taxi' by 1996?
A certificate verifying a million licensed performances
99
What record label did Marvin Gaye sign with?
Motown Records
100
What was the original name of Motown Records?
Tamla Records
101
What nickname is associated with Detroit, relevant to Motown's naming?
Motor City
102
What was Marvin Gaye's biggest hit at Motown?
I Heard It Through the Grapevine
103
What song did Marvin Gaye record that was initially blocked for release by Berry Gordy?
What’s Going On
104
What themes are addressed in Marvin Gaye's album 'What’s Going On'?
* War
* Peace
* Ecology
* Politics
* Economics
* Salvation
105
What was the release date of Marvin Gaye's album 'What’s Going On'?
May 21, 1971
106
What significant feature was included in 'What’s Going On' for the first time in Motown history?
Lyrics for each of the songs
107
Which song from the 'What’s Going On' album became a hit single that addressed environmental issues?
Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
108
Who was the only songwriter for 'Mercy Mercy Me' on the 'What’s Going On' album?
Marvin Gaye
109
Who said, 'Berry Gordy didn’t understand the word ‘ecology’?'
The statement was made by an unnamed individual.
## Footnote
This highlights a perceived gap in understanding environmental issues among influential figures in the music industry.
110
What label did Berry Gordy agree to distribute in 1970?
Sammy Davis, Jr.’s short-lived label 'Ecology Records'.
## Footnote
This indicates an early engagement with ecological themes in music.
111
Which song on the What's Going On album was written solely by Marvin Gaye?
'Mercy Mercy Me'.
## Footnote
This song stands out for its unique composition within the album.
112
What unusual sound is featured at the start of 'Mercy Mercy Me'?
A woodblock sound.
## Footnote
This contributes to the song's distinctiveness and innovative sound.
113
Who described the woodblock used in 'Mercy Mercy Me'?
Percussionist Jack Ashford.
## Footnote
His description details the unique characteristics of the instrument and its sound.
114
What electronic instrument did Marvin Gaye use in the coda of 'Mercy Mercy Me'?
The Mellotron.
## Footnote
This instrument is known for its operatic voice sample, adding to the song's ethereal quality.
115
What environmental issues does 'Mercy Mercy Me' address?
* Animals and birds
* Air and oil pollution
* Radiation
* Overcrowded land
## Footnote
The song is recognized for its poignant environmental message.
116
What accolade did 'Mercy Mercy Me' receive in 2002?
Induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
## Footnote
This recognition emphasizes the song's cultural and historical significance.
117
What was the oldest known study of ecology related to?
The relationship between organisms and their physical environment.
## Footnote
This concept has been explored for centuries, dating back to the fourth century BCE.
118
What book did Rachel Carson publish in 1962?
A book about the dangers of DDT.
## Footnote
Carson's work is seen as pivotal in raising environmental awareness.
119
What significant event took place on the first Earth Day in 1970?
Twenty million people participated in gatherings.
## Footnote
This event marked a major mobilization for environmental issues.
120
What style did Joni Mitchell call her song 'Big Yellow Taxi'?
'Ecology rock ’n’ roll'.
## Footnote
This reflects the blending of genres to address ecological themes in music.
121
What production technique did Joni Mitchell use in 'Big Yellow Taxi'?
Multi-tracking (over-dubbing).
## Footnote
This technique added depth to her vocal harmonies.
122
What did Berry Gordy, Jr. specialize in at Motown Records?
Rhythm and blues (R&B).
## Footnote
His approach to music production was highly formulaic and focused on hits.
123
What was the outcome of the protest-themed album Marvin Gaye persisted in creating?
It led to the release of 'What's Going On'.
## Footnote
The album was a commercial success and marked a significant shift in the music industry.
124
What distinguishes 'Mercy Mercy Me' within the genre of R&B?
Its focus on environmental issues.
## Footnote
This was a rare theme for R&B music at the time.
125
What does the Resource Guide suggest about music and art?
They serve as powerful tools for addressing histories of environmental harm.
## Footnote
This highlights the role of creativity in promoting ecological awareness.
126
Fill in the blank: The power of music and art allows us to 'see' wonders such as the _______.
Grand Canyon.
127
How have artists adapted their practices according to the Resource Guide?
To align with and promote an ever-expanding ecological consciousness.
## Footnote
This reflects a growing awareness and responsibility towards environmental issues in the art community.
