ENG 111 – Group Project: “Lasting” Art
Mattox
– Objective: Choose a piece of art from the last 5-10 years that you believe will be “lasting.” This could be a film, a television show, a song, an album, a piece of fine art, a book, a play, a musical, a documentary, or some other kind of artistic piece. What do you believe people will still be talking about in 10 years? 50 years? 100 years? What are the factors that make this piece so important or timeless?
In a 10-15 minute recorded presentation, seek to convince your audience that this piece is lasting by addressing a range of factors. You may choose to use videos, powerpoint, or simply oral address. Below are some elements of evaluation to consider. Do your best to pick a piece that everyone in the group has thorough knowledge of (this may mean that some group members will need to watch/listen/etc. on their own).
– Artistic Excellence: First and foremost, a lasting piece is inevitably one that displays some level of mastery. What elements allow us to conclude that this piece is objectively excellent? For narratives: consider plot, characters, themes, symbolism, beauty, writing quality, acting quality, etc. For music: consider intricacy, innovation, vocal and/or instrumental mastery, melodic or harmonic structure, symbolism, emotional build, etc. Evaluate the piece based on principles that tend to define excellence in that field (this may mean providing outside research to illuminate what those principles are).
Consider that, at times, a piece of art will have cooperative artistic elements that accompany it. For instance, a film may have a musical score that is particularly masterful, or a song may have a music video that is particularly moving. Could these cooperative elements serve to emphasize the excellence of the larger piece?
Also consider that many lasting pieces of art have been critically acclaimed in their time. However, several other lasting pieces were originally under-appreciated and then came to be revered many years later. Was your piece critically acclaimed in its time? Are there reviews from reliable critics that could serve to enhance your claim of artistic excellence? If not, how can you convince us that this piece is under-appreciated?
It will likely be necessary to provide examples (playing a trailer, playing the song, presenting an excerpt, etc.). Likewise, some plot summary or explanation may be necessary to provide context.
– Historical Relevance: A lasting piece will also have some level of historical relevance. There are a number of ways that art could be historically significant.
Consider the genre of the piece. How does it fit into the usual tropes, themes, myths, and structure of the genre? How might it break the usual genre expectations? Could
this piece be revolutionary or re-defining for the genre? Does it cross or synthesize genres in a significantly innovative way? Or, perhaps, is it simply a model of perfection for the genre? (Keep in mind, this may mean providing sources or evidence to explain the usual structure of the genre).
Consider the content. Does the piece deal with some deeper issue of humanity, justice, politics, or spirituality? Is the piece rooted in a current issue? Does the piece provide some sort of artistic opinion or perspective that enlightens a modern problem? Or, perhaps, does the piece examine an age-old issue in a fresh or modern way? Could the piece be used years from now to help understand modern society, issues, sentiments, etc.?
– Comparisons to Lasting Works: Frequently, post-modern works of art are described as “the new ___________.” To understand how a piece may prove lasting, it is often useful to examine what other pieces in the medium have proven lasting. What similarities does this piece draw to other works of art? What differences?
Consider that, occasionally, the most useful comparison will come from a different genre, or perhaps even a different medium. The important thing is to prove that your piece contains many elements that have been present in other significant works, and that those elements are influential in allowing a work to stand the test of time.
– Timelessness: What will allow your piece to stay relevant over the course of decades?
Consider that many lasting pieces stand the test of time because they are larger than any passing fad, single issue, or historical moment. They address something that is inherently and universally human. Something like The Wizard of Oz continues to delight and inspire viewers because it evokes a sense of wonder that will be present for every child (and child-at-heart) regardless of the time or environment in which they were born.
Consider also, however, that many other lasting pieces stand the test of time purely because they are part of a passing fad, single issue, or historical moment. Even though music fads like disco, rockabilly, Motown, and grunge have passed their hey-day of mainstream relevance, there are still select songs and albums that we remember today because they rose to the top of that fad. Therefore, when we think “disco” we think ________. Silent films are another example. Ever since the integration of sound in film, silent movies have become all but obsolete. However, there are still many silent films that are watched, studied, and enjoyed today because they stand as a relic of “a time before talkies.”
– Requirements: Your group will be evaluated based on the following rubric:
– Works Cited and Effectiveness of Research – 20 points –
Each group will be required to turn in a Works Cited with a minimum of 4 sources that are relevant to your presentation. (Note: the piece itself does not count as one the 4 sources).
– Content – 60 points –
This will evaluate how convincing your argument is. Are your claims supported? Is your analysis sound? Have you convinced your audience that this piece will last?
– Organization and Presentation – 20 points –
Each member of the group is required to speak in your recorded presentation.
– This will evaluate the effectiveness of your presentation. Was it well-rehearsed or improvised? Are you simply reading powerpoint slides or are you engaging the audience? Was your multimedia properly executed?
