Dedalus Art History
Research Project
Robert Motherwell
Elegy to the Spanish Republic
No. 34,
1953 – 1954
Oil on canvas
80 x 100 inches (203.2 x 254 cm)
Collection: The Albright Knox
Gallery, Buffalo, New York
(Gift of Seymour H. Knox, 1957)
The Art History Research Project, developed by the
Office of the Arts and Special Projects, New York City Department of
Education
has been underwritten by a generous grant from the Dedalus
Foundation.
in·no·va·tion
ˌinəˈvāSH(ə)n/
noun
the action or process of innovating.
synonyms:
change, alteration, revolution, upheaval,
transformation, metamorphosis, breakthrough;
a new method, idea, product, etc.
plural noun: innovations
"technological innovations designed to save energy"
Art history research paper
Rough draft due Friday 12/19/14
Requirements:
•Use 12-point type in a Times New Roman font
•Use 1.5-spacing
•Use endnotes rather than footnotes
•Set 1 inch margins all the way around
•Do not use any headers or footers
•Do not include page numbers
•Type straight text in paragraph style, with a one-tab indent on the first
line
•After a period, use just one space before the start of the next sentence.
•3-7 pages
Students are invited to include images of works of art in research
papers. Please place them, numbered (before endnotes) on one or two
pages. Reference images within the text in this way:
Vincent van Gogh’s L’Arlésienne (Image 1) which hangs in the
Metropolitan Museum of Art, is one of seven portraits he painted of
Marie Ginoux from 1888 to 1890.*
REWARDS
•
5 Scholarships of $2000 each
•
Art History Credit
Topic Sentence - Due Monday October 20, 2014
Rough Draft - Due Friday December 19, 2014
Completed Paper - Due Monday January 12, 2015
Presentations - Week of January 20-23, 2015
Scholarship Application Due March/April 2015
TOPIC SHEET DUE MONDAY 10/20/14
When choosing a topic to research:
1. Choose a topic that you are really interested in and want to spend time
researching.
2. Think of some kind of controversy, conflict or question that goes into
your topic. Think of something that you could prove.
3. This year’s theme is “Innovation”
What is your topic?_________________________________________
What do you think the title of your paper going to be?
What is your topic sentence going to be? (usually the first sentence
of your paper)
The Art Group That Twice Took Beijing By Storm
Katie Zhao
History often repeats itself with dictator’s who lead revolutions where many people are
killed, culture is destroyed and the survivors are left in despair. In China, these events describe
the period from 1966 to 1976 known as the Cultural Revolution. Art during and before the
Cultural Revolution was very traditional and often used for propaganda. Under Mao Zedong’s
Communist reign, the government only allowed certain kinds of art to be displayed and taught in
the art schools, such as ink landscapes. Art that had nothing to do with the government and
Communism was put down or destroyed. Most artists appeased Mao Zedong and his rules even
after his death. There was a sense of hopelessness and hardly any progression was made in the
arts. However, there were many young artists who had small voices in their community but they
were ambitious and had big ideas and used the terror of the Cultural Revolution as inspiration. In
the late 1970’s one of the most famous art groups called "Xing Xing," also known as the Stars
Group, helped bring a change into the art scene in China. The Stars Group of artists was inspired
by western art movements to take an artistic and political stand during a time of censorship and
restriction. The Stars group was the beginning of contemporary ‘avant-garde’ art in China and
helped to create change in the art scene and to inspire future artists.
Communist leader Mao Zedong launched the Cultural Revolution in August 1966. Mao
originally made a failed attempt at a revolution with his “Great Leap Forward,” which was his
attempt to bring China to the future. However in his second attempt in 1966 he was successful
and had a huge impact on China. Mao wanted to get rid of impure elements remaining in China
through the nation’s youth, who Mao organized into a mini army known as the Red Guards.1
Mao wanted to get rid of the old and bring in the new, and a tremendous amount of Chinese
tradition was destroyed during his reign. The Red Guards harassed the elderly and intellectual
populations and were told by Mao to turn them in to the government to be punished.2 Anyone
believed to be conspiring against the government were tortured and imprisoned. Many people
had their property seized. The Red Guards turned in teachers, doctors, and often their own
parents. These adults were ridiculed and humiliated publicly. During this time, the Chinese
government reported that thousands of people were killed. But now it is estimated that 1.5
million people were killed during Mao’s reign of terror.3 In 1969 Mao lost his power and his
successor Lin Biao took over. However Biao died and a new leader, Zhou Enlai, took over and
2 “Art and China’s Revolution Exhibition Introduction” The Asia
Society, September 5, 2008 to January 11, 2009.
http://sites.asiasociety.org/chinarevo/?p=10
3http://www.artyfactory.com/art_appreciation/timelines/modern_art_t
imeline.htm
4 Central Academy of Fine Arts website.
http://www.cafa.edu.cn/aboutcafa/lan/?c=1101
5 Zhao Gang, telephone interview by Katie Zhao, Beijing and New
York, December 8, 2013
6 Zhao Gang, telephone interview by Katie Zhao, Beijing and New
York, December 8, 2013
Works Cited
1. History.com Staff. "Cultural Revolution." History.com. A&E Television
Networks, 2009. Web. Winter 2014.
2. "Introduction." Http://sites.asiasociety.org/chinarevo/?p=10. Asia Society and
Museum, n.d. Web. Winter 2014.
3. "Modern Art Timeline Part 1 (1870-1930)." Modern Art Timeline. Art Factory,
n.d. Web. Winter 2014.
4. Murray, Michael. "Materials of the Future: Documenting Contemporary Chinese Art
From 1980-1990." Interview by Jane DeBevoise. Materials of the Future: Documenting
Contemporary Chinese Art From 1980-1990. Asia Art Archive, 31 Oct. 2009. Web.
Winter 2014. <http://www.china1980s.org/en/interview_detail.aspx?interview_id=81>.
5. "About CAFAAbout." About CAFAAbout. CAFA, n.d. Web. Winter 2014.
6. Sullivan, Michael. Art and Artists of Twentieth-century China. Berkeley:
University of California, 1996. Print.ILLUSTRATION
Image 1
Ai Weiwei’s Mao Triptych10 (Image 1), which was exhibited at The Stars Show in New York
City in 1983. The
current location of the piece is unknown.
Art History - Riley
OBJECTIVE: The students will learn to research a topic in art history and write a research paper.
Exceeds Standard
100-96
Focus
Support &
Elaboration
References &
Paper Format
Thesis is partially
established or not
developed
Thesis is vague,
unclear, or shows little
direction
The position is well
supported, typically using
relevant information
from each of the source
materials
The position is
somewhat supported
and may not use
relevant information
from each of the source
materials
Thesis is insightfully
supported by the body
of the paper
Thesis is supported by the
body of the paper
Thesis is not fully
supported by body of
the paper
The position is not
supported by the
source materials, OR
the information is not
relevant, OR the
support provided is
copied verbatim
Thesis is not
supported by the body
of the paper
Thesis is reiterated and
expanded upon in the
conclusion
Engaging opening
introduces the essay’s
topic and inspires
thinking; logically
proceeds to thesis
Thesis is reiterated in the
conclusion
Generally engaging
opening; presentation of
general topic OR
transition between
general opening and
specific thesis statement
may need developing
Thesis is alluded to in
the conclusion or is
repeated verbatim
Opening is functional
but is too brief and/or
simplistic; topic is
apparent but needs
further development
Thesis is not evident in
the conclusion
Lesson is alluded to but
not specifically stated in
conclusion
No lesson is apparent
in conclusion
Opening is ineffective,
poorly organized, and
undeveloped; lack of
transition from topic
to thesis
Exceptional use of
mechanics (no errors in
Lesson is explained in
conclusion
Appropriate use of
mechanics (few errors in
Limited use of
mechanics (several errors in
Lack of competency in
mechanics (multitude of
spelling, punctuation,
capitalization)
spelling, punctuation,
capitalization)
spelling, punctuation,
capitalization)
errors in spelling,
punctuation, capitalization)
Paper is free of all
sentence fragments
and run-on sentences
Paper contains 1-2
sentence fragments
and/or run-on sentences
Paper contains few
sentence fragments
and/or run-on sentences
Utilizes credible print,
Internet, and database
sources beyond
minimum to support
thesis
Utilizes minimum (3)
credible print, Internet,
and database sources to
support thesis
Utilizes too few (2)
credible print, Internet,
or database sources to
support thesis
Paper contains
multiple sentence
fragments and/or runon sentences
Utilizes only 1 credible
print, Internet, or
database source to
support thesis
Endnotes are used
correctly in most areas
Endnotes are used
correctly in some areas)
Endnotes are not used
correctly or at all
All sources are
documented, and most
have the necessary
information
All sources are
documented, but some
are missing the
necessary information or
it is inaccurate
None of the sources
are documented with
the necessary
information
Endnotes are used
correctly in all areas
All sources are
documented and
contain the necessary
information
Works Cited
Below Standard
< 70s
Thesis is established and
is developed (clear &
arguable)
Lesson is clearly
illustrated and
explained in conclusion
Conventions
of English
Near Standard
80s
Thesis demonstrates
original thinking and is
well developed (clear &
arguable)
The position is richly
supported with
relevant information
from each of the source
materials
organization
Introduction
& Conclusion
Meets Standard
95-90
All citations are in
alphabetical order by
the first word of the
citation
Most citations are in
correct alphabetical order
by the first word of the
citation
Some citations are in
correct alphabetical
order by the first word
of the citation
There does not appear
to be an attempt to
put citations in correct
alphabetical order by
the first word of the
citation
Grade: _____________/200 points
art history in 10 minutes