Discussion A: Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance was a rich period of art and culture in the history of America. It coincided with the Jazz Era when many top African-American musicians performed. It was also a great literary movement. Many Black authors used African-American artworks as illustrations for their writings.
Look at the examples of Harlem Renaissance art in Chapter 4, part 1. Then explore some other examples of art by these artists online. What subjects do we see in the art of the Harlem Renaissance that illustrate this exciting era of American history?
Feel free to expand upon the prompt and add resources or topics related to the music, arts, writing and history of the Harlem Renaissance.
Aaron Douglas, The Prodigal Son.
Please write 250+ words for discussion A
Discussion B: Jacob Lawrence
In the early twentieth century, large numbers of African Americans moved from the rural South to the urban North to escape Jim Crow oppression and seek economic opportunities. In 1940-41, artist Jacob Lawrence addressed this subject in a series of captioned paintings he titled The Migration of the Negro. He painted in a simplified, geometric style he called dynamic cubism. Each picture was accompanied by a short narrative description.
Looking at his art, how would you describe dynamic cubism?
In what ways does Lawrence use dynamic cubism to express these narratives? Use the slides of Panel 42 and 52 to support your comments.
Panel 42: “They also made it very difficult for migrants leaving the South. They often went to railroad stations and arrested the Negroes wholesale, which in turn made them miss their trains.”
Panel 52: “One of the most violent race riots occurred in East St. Louis.”
Can you find further works by Jacob Lawrence? How do they illustrate Dynamic Cubism? Feel free to add other points, information or resources about Jacob Lawrence as well.
Please write 250+ words for discussion B
E. 5
Watch
these (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
three (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
clips (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
(NOTE: 3 separate links, 3 clips) from the documentary Against the Odds: African-American Artists and the Harmon Foundation.
Using information from the film, answer these questions:
1. What is happening in the opening scene of the film?
2. What was the Harlem Renaissance? When did it take place? Even after slavery ended, African Americans were still widely oppressed and discriminated against. What social and economic changes in the United States set up the conditions for the Harlem Renaissance?
3. What was the Harmon Foundation and what was its role in the Harlem Renaissance?
4. Why are some scholars today critical of the Harmon Foundation?
5. Who are some of the artists that were given support by the Harmon Foundation?
6. Who were some of the key African-American spokespeople, critics, or writers (other than the artists) mentioned in the film?
please write 500+ words for E. 5
Password for 04chapter part 1: harlem
