Professor: Dr. Kristin Gongdon
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Fake, Forgery, or True-Blue Original?
To some, artist Sherrie Levine is a "plagaristic, charlatan, con-artist" while to others she is a "true-blue, original,
big-league artist."
In the 1980s Levine (a white woman) became famous for photographing the work of such notables as Ansel Adams, Walker Evans,
and Edward Weston (white men), whose work was prized for its originality.
Art critic Irving Sandler said, "Levine became an appropriator of images because she had come to believe that conventional
aesthetic ideas, such as originality – ideas advanced by the newly fashionable neo-expressionists – were fictions that
needed to be demystified. Like Duchamp's readymades, Levine’s works were essentially conceptual rather than visual.
She added a new thought to the photographs she copied – not anything new to see. But her critique of the 'myth' of
the original genius, which was central to her art, separated her appropriations from the readymades of Duchamp and the
remades of Warhol."
Many art critics consider Levine’s work legitimate; she is included in almost every important art history text on American
photography. However, Levine was sued by the family of Edward Weston for copyright infringement and lost.
Your assignment is to create a work of art that challenges the idea of originality. Accompanying your project should be a
typed one-page statement listing the criteria or argument you have used to position your piece as a "true-blue original."
Both the concept for your piece and your written work should address your reflections on your reading of the "Fakes and
Forgeries" chapter in Arguing About Art. Be prepared to present your project and the defense of your piece to the
class.
This assignment is due on Tuesday, August 2. It is worth 15 points.
Aesthetics on Horror
David Hume (1711-1776) tried to find out if there was a common and natural aesthetic sense. Among other questions, he
asked how we could have pleasant feelings or enjoyment when experiencing a well-written tragedy. Relating the tragedy
to a work of horror, the question becomes, "why do so many of us enjoy horror films and stories?" How can we find
pleasure in terror, anxiety, and other emotions that are disagreeable, especially when these are emotions we try to
avoid in our "real" lives?
See a horror film (for example, Rosemary’s Baby, Aliens, or Signs). Pay attention to how you respond to the horror in
the film.
Read Noel Carroll's essay "Why Horror?" in your text (pp. 275-294).
Reflecting on the film you watched, apply Carrroll's ideas about horror. Is he correct in his assessment of your
response when you watched your film? Are there problems with his argument? Is curiosity key to our enjoyment, or
does catharsis, control of the situation play a part? Are there other reasons that Carroll should have considered
when giving us his explanation for the enjoyment of horror films and stories?
Be specific in your response. You will be graded according to how well you reflected on the readings and the quality
of your response. You will also be graded on how well you wrote your paper (grammar, organization, clarity,
etc.)
This paper should be 3-4 pages long. It should be typed (double-spaced) and should use MLA, APA, or Chicago
formatting. It is due on Monday, August 1 at 9:00 but can be turned in earlier.