Walker

From this reading, I can understand that, the author is saying that an artist can have a big idea that is not explicitly represented in the piece. A good artist is able to pick a subject matter that can evoke the viewer’s emotions in a way that reveals the artist’s big idea.

After the reading I am confused about how an artist is able to pick a subject matter to use in their piece. In most of these examples I would have trouble picking out the big idea from the subject matter. Knowing this I am curious to learn if an artist goes in trying to make the connection from subject matter to big idea as simple as possible that way they can speak to the average citizen: or do they specifically do art for others cultured in art and hope that the rest of us are just in awe of what we perceive the piece to be saying.

Barret

                While reading this piece, the section on the Rolling Stones cover really shed light on the old adage that a picture is worth a thousand words. To me it is interesting on how the context in which I am seeing the cover really effects what I think about it. If I was just to pass this magazine cover in the grocery store during checkout I would probably only consciously think “they must be having a new album coming out,” but in the classroom context I can see and agree with all the points that the article brings up about overt sexuality in the message the cover is trying to display.

                The only part of the article that I don’t really understand is why Michael Ray Charles portrays so many negative stereotypes about African-Americans in his work. Furthermore, I am curious as to why Spike Lee is such a fan of his work because I always thought that Spike was into promoting black culture in a more positive light.