Zhang XiaoGang and the Employment of Symbolism in His Paintings

Artist: Zhang XiaoGang
Theme: Symbolism, generation, or surrealism(choose one or two according to the instruction)

Assignment: I would like you to write a paper that will somehow make a contribution to the field of art since 1980. In our class lectures and discussions, we have discussed the work of individual artists in relation to larger themes (e.g., Levine and authorship, Sall and appropriation, Mike Kelly and money, etc.). While I am open to topics, my suggestion is that you think about writing a research paper that covers a specific artist, dealer, or collector and addresses one theme related to her/his career. When choosing your topic, ask yourself: Are there certain themes that have not been applied to a specific artist, dealer, or collector in an in-depth manner? While you may approach the assignment in a variety of ways, your topics should cover the career of at least one artist, collector, and dealer and address at least one thematic idea. You should be able to historicize your thematic ideas and draw upon primary source material at some point in your paper. You should also be able to cover your chosen topic in a complete manner in approximately 6-10 pages.

A helpful hint about themes

Your theme should not be an art-historical movement. For example, don’t pair Andy Warhol with the “theme” of Pop art. The reason is that we already know Warhol is a Pop artist. You will not have any point to argue. Find a theme that may not be so obvious and that might help you draw out a nuance in an artist’s work that might not readily be apparent. Here are topics that might work better: Warhol and Marxism, Warhol and Death, Warhol and the (homosexual) closet, etc.

Notes and bibliography: You must use proper footnotes or endnotes, following the Chicago Manual of Style. On a separate sheet of paper, you must also write a bibliography, listing all your sources that you have read or consulted. Please note random websites are not the best source of information; you should always rely on sources that have established academic value (e.g., no Wikipedia). Failure to cite or name your sources is plagiarism and will result in a failing grade.  

Grade: This assignment is worth 30% of your overall grade, unless the syllabus changes during the course of the semester. The assignment is broken down into parts, each of which has its own due date and grade:

Part 1:             Proposal                                                                    

Submit TWO different ideas. For both topics, you must include (1) artist, collector, or dealer, as well as (2) a potential theme. Explain each proposed idea in a couple sentences. You have to choose artist whom you can research.

Part 2:             Annotated bibliography                                           

Submit a list of books and articles with one or two sentences summarizing the topic(s) covered. You must evaluate each source that you have consulted. Evaluating a source means that you are examining and assessing its relevance and importance in the larger scope of the literature on your chosen subject. You need to be critical. You must also follow the Chicago Manual of Style.

Part 3:             Outline, Thesis, and Introductory paragraph           

            Submit a preliminary thesis and introductory paragraph along with an outline.

Part 4:             Presentations                                                 

Present your paper to the class in a ten-minute presentation. You must include visuals. I will give more explicit instructions regarding your presentation later.

Part 5:             Final paper                                                                

Here’s a helpful checklist for your final paper

_____  Do you have a clear thesis that allows you to argue a point? Does each of your paragraphs contribute to your specific topic and allow you to advance your stated thesis.

_____ Have you researched your artist(s), theme(s), and method(s) in a complete manner?  Did you use primary source material when available? Do you take time to compare your sources? Do you explain succinctly their relevance to your project? No long-winded summaries please.

_____ Do you somehow agree or disagree with each of your sources? Do you differentiate your voice from your sources that you discuss in your paper?

_____ Do you have a note for every time you take words or information from a source? Do you have a bibliography? Do you follow the Chicago Manual of Style for both notes and bibliography?

_____  Do you have image(s) and caption(s) for the chosen work(s) of art?

_____  Is your paper typed and double space with one-inch margins on all sides? Is your paper stapled?