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"Flag"
-Encaustic painting by Jasper Johns that depicts the American flag, with a collage of newspaper underneath. -
"Farm Worker's Altar"
-Created by Emanuel Martinez as part of the UFW. Particularly, this was created for the 1968 Catholic Mass Ceremony in which Cesar Chavez broke his 25-day fast protesting the unjust employment practices and harsh working conditions of the migrant laborers on the West Coast.
-On one side, there is a brown-skinned Christ and an indigenous woman holding wheat stalks and a bundle of grapes, both representations of the bread and wine of Holy Communion. -
"Spiral Jetty"
-Photograph by Robert Smithson at the Great Salt Lake in Utah.
-Consists of 6,000 tons of basalt rock and earth that have formed a 1,500 foot coil that extends counterclockwise into the water.
-Intended to represent how the universal relationship between mankind and the natural world has evolved. -
Barkley Hendricks's Portraits
-Life-sized oil paintings whose subjects are in front of a solid, vibrant backdrop. The plain background and the lack of props allows the viewer to devote all their attention to the subjects.
-Consistent theme of having the subjects standing in a natural pose, as if they have chosen it themselves, which gives them a sense of confidence and comfortability in themselves. -
"Silueta Series"
-100-photographic series by Ana Mendieta that consists of photos that have her silhouette imprinted on the natural earth.
-She felt compelled to explore her political exile, for she resettled in the U.S. at the age of 12.
-Although her impression would eventually fade from sight, it would still merge with the natural landscape--symbolizing the theme of "becoming one with the Earth". -
"Sun Tunnels"
-Large-scale installation in the Great Basin Desert in Utah by Nancy Holt that consists of 4 concrete cylinders that are in a cross pattern, aligned with the sunrise and sunset of the summer/winter solstices, and have holes drilled on them that represent the stars of 4 different constellations.
-Represents the element of change throughout the world, specifically the interconnectedness of mankind and the natural world. -
"Lightning Field"
-Photograph by Walter de Maria that depicts perfectly level, stainless steel poles laid out and dispersed amongst the New Mexico Desert.
-The tops of the poles appear to have a shining star on them, for they have been created by the sunlight merging with the bevelled tips.
-Demonstrates how although these are rigid man-made structures, they can collaborate with the elements of nature to enhance the world's natural beauty. -
"Wheatfield: A Confrontation"
-Photographic series by Agnes Denes that captures a 2-acre wheatfield planted on a landfill in lower Manhattan, specifically Battery Park City.
-The wheatfield in the foreground represents the former agrarian way of American life, while the big city buildings in the background represent the modern way of American life.
-The contrast between the foreground and the background represents the chronological progression of America. -
"Sun Mad"
-A screenprint by Ester Hernandez that, as part of the UFW, expresses her anger towards the human and environmental costs of pesticide use in commercial grape growing. -
"Vietnam Veterans Memorial"
-Granite black wall by Maya Lin that has listed all the names of the soldiers who fought in the Vietnam War.
-It is located in Washington, D.C. -
"Surrounded Islands"
-Photograph by Christo and Jeanne-Claude that highlights 11 islands in the Biscayne Bay, off the coast of Miami.
-The islands have been shrouded in a 6.5 million square foot pink woven polypropylene fabric that makes the island more noticeable.
-Thus, the fabric gives more public visibility to natural beauty that otherwise would have gone unnoticed. -
"The Three Soldiers"
-Statue by Frederick Hart in Washington, D.C.
-It is an extension of Maya Lin's, but this one is more personal and intimate, for the statue is at ground level and is life-sized. -
Jimmie Durham's Self-Portrait
-Consisted of a flimsy canvas and screen that projects societal constructions pertaining to the Native American male form.
-Durham is of Cherokee descent, so he felt personally compelled to employ an excess of racist stereotypes in order to highlight their absurdity and inadequacy. -
"Let the Record Show"
-An installation created by ACT UP at the New Museum in New York City.
-This work perfectly embodies ACT UP's mission, as well as their approach towards confronting the lack of government intervention in the AIDS crisis.
-Objective/factual approach--direct quotes and statistics. -
"AIDS Memorial Quilt"
-Begun by Cleve Jones.
-Not only does it honor the victims of the AIDS crisis, but it also serves as a rallying cry for the advocates.
-It is presented laying on the ground, which serves as a deep reflection upon the loss of human life. -
"Wall Street Money"
-Created by Gran Fury.
-Directed at drug companies, particularly in regards to the expensive costs of AZT. -
"What's the Proper Way to Display a U.S. Flag?"
-Created by Dread Scott, this is an installation that consists of a photo montage, a book shelf, ink pens, and a 3' by 5' American flag that lays on the floor.
-It employs an active audience, for the participants can write their answer to the question in the logbook while standing on the American flag. -
"Mining the Museum"
-Created by Fred Wilson, this is an installation at the Maryland Historical Society.
-He put items on display that normally would not have been given public visibility.
-Maryland felt compelled to revamp the museum, and in general, the way they present their history, by being more inclusive of the historical accomplishments of minorities and women. -
"We Are All Homeless"
-Collage of cardboard signs by Willie Baronet, who would give homeless people money in exchange for their cardboard signs.
-He wanted to create a well-rounded reflection upon the ubiquity of the issue through the eclectic array of handwritings and messages that were presented on the signs. -
Catherine Opie's Portraits
-Photographic portraits that had a recurring theme of the subjects standing in front of a solid colored backdrop, along with a lack of props, that made the subjects more noticeable.
-In addition, the subjects were always standing in a natural pose, as if they had chosen it themselves, which gave them a sense of confidence and comfortability in themselves. -
"Projects"
-Photographic series by Nikki S. Lee in which she would immerse herself in an American sub-culture each month.
-She wanted to demonstrate how identity is fluid, not fixed. -
"Tumbling Woman"
-Bronze statue by Eric Fischl that was presented at Rockefeller Center on the 1st anniversary of 9/11, but was later removed from public display.