The artist Titus Kamphor asked the question, on the Ted Talk Stage, in 2017, “can art amend history?” For centuries, artists and writers have been asking similar questions. Now, we will be too.
For our fourth paper, we will be reading and exploring the debate around the statue of Theodore Roosevelt at the Museum of Natural History and listening to Titus Kamphor’s Ted Talk, “Can Art Amend History?” before conducting our own investigations into the question and answering it using specific examples (of your choice) from art (or music, or literary) history.
For this paper, you will be:
- Thinking about what role you think art plays in social change and, based on your research, developing an informed conclusion, or claim, which answers the questions “can art (and/ or writing) amend history” and “can it change our future?”
Reading commentary from Titus Kamphor, as well as doing your own investigation. Think about instances in which art or writing has caused a conversation which has led to change, or instances in which conversation has been stifled. You may choose to focus on a particular artist, or on a movement (for example, similar to how many activists are calling for the removal of the statue of Roosevelt at the Museum of Natural History, many activists are calling for the tearing down of statues depicting figures from the confederacy) in order to hone in on your argument. However you choose to support your claim, make sure you return to the question “can art/ writing amend history, can it change our future?”
Writing 1,200 words elaborating on your research and conclusions.
** Papers should be 1,200 words, double spaced, Times New Roman font. They should have a strong thesis statement and should demonstrate deep engagement with the topic. Papers should cite sources in MLA format and should include a Works Cited page. Rough drafts, peer reviews, and rubrics should be attached to the final paper.
Resources:
Titus Kaphar https://www.ted.com/talks/titus_kaphar_can_art_amend_history?language=en#t-255285
Museum of Natural History - Perspectives on the Statue https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/addressing-the-theodore-roosevelt-statue/perspectives-today