art 1a --> Foundation in Visual Arts

today's focus

Researching Lorna Simpson's artistic practice to prepare for viewing her work at LACMA's "Imagining Black Diasporas" exhibition this Saturday.

Understanding her artistic practice, themes, and techniques will help you write a more informed and analytical response to her work in the exhibition.

Documentation: Create your group's slides in our shared Google Slides presentation during research.

group research phase (35 minutes)

Instructions:

→ Work in assigned groups of 3-4 people

→ Create your group's slides in our shared Google Slides presentation

→ Use as many slides as needed --> include hyperlinks, videos, photos, etc.

→ Prepare a 3-4 minute presentation for the class

→ Find exactly 2 specific artworks by Simpson to analyze in detail

→ Answer all research questions assigned to your group

group assignments

Group 1: Early Career & Photography (1980s-1990s)

Guiliana, Sarah, Jaylen, Yuan

What was Simpson's educational background and early influences?
How did she first gain recognition in the art world?
What makes her early photographic work distinctive?
Key works to reference: "Guarded Conditions" (1989), "Waterbearer" (1986)
Also find and analyze 2 additional works from her practice

Group 2: Text & Image Relationship

Tiara, Carson, Iris, Jeselle

How does Simpson use text in her photographic work?
What is the relationship between her images and words?
How do these combinations create meaning?
Key works to reference: "She" (1992), "Easy for Who to Say" (1989)
Also find and analyze 2 additional works from her practice

Group 3: Identity & Representation

Marianna, Thalia, Daniel

How does Simpson address questions of Black identity in her work?
What strategies does she use to challenge stereotypes?
How does she represent Black women specifically?
Key works to reference: "Necklines" (1989), "Interior/Exterior, Full/Empty" (1997)
Also find and analyze 2 additional works from her practice

Group 4: Contemporary Practice (2000s-Present)

Henry, Justyn, Natalia

How has Simpson's work evolved in recent decades?
What new media has she incorporated?
How do her recent works address contemporary issues?
Key works to reference: "Momentum" (2016), "Collage" series (2017-2018)
Also find and analyze 2 additional works from her practice

Group 5: Film & Moving Image

Patrick, Gaby, Alvaro Jr

When did Simpson begin working with film and video?
How do her films relate to her photographic work?
What themes emerge in her moving image pieces?
Key works to reference: "Corridor" (2003), "Momentum" (2016)
Also find and analyze 2 additional works from her practice

Group 6: Critical Reception & Legacy

Hannah, Marion, Mary Jo

How has Simpson's work been received by critics and scholars?
What awards and recognition has she received?
How has she influenced other contemporary artists?
Where is her work exhibited and collected?
Find and analyze 2 specific works that demonstrate her influence

group presentations (30 minutes)

Format: Each group presents for 5 minutes using their slides

→ Present directly from your group's slides

→ Show your 2 chosen artworks with high-quality images

→ Use (videos, hyperlinks to articles, etc.)

→ Explain how these works connect to Simpson's broader practice

→ Discuss how your research will help us understand her work at LACMA

→ ask one question for the class to consider

things to consider in your presentations

→ What themes connect Simpson's work across different periods?
→ How does her practice relate to our readings on Benjamin and Berger?
→ What should we look for when viewing her work at LACMA?
→ How might her work fit into the "Imagining Black Diasporas" exhibition theme?

research resources

Lorna Simpson Studio - Official Portfolio ←

Slide Creation Tips:

→ Include high-resolution images of Simpson's artworks

→ Embed or link to video interviews with the artist

→ Add hyperlinks to relevant articles, museum pages, or exhibition reviews

→ Use clean, readable fonts and layouts

→ Consider including audio clips or video excerpts if relevant to her practice

→ Make slides visually engaging but not cluttered

Writing Assignment Due Sunday

Due: Sunday, July 13 by 11:30PM via email

I will accept these papers through Monday, July 14 by 1:30PM in lecture (hard copy required if submitted Monday)

4-Part Writing Assignment

1. Digital Witness: Revolutions in Design, Photography, and Film (through July 13)

Write a 1-page analysis of this LACMA exhibition, connecting it to our course themes

2. Imagining Black Diasporas: 21st-Century Art and Poetics (through July 27)

Write a 1-page analysis of this exhibition featuring Lorna Simpson and other contemporary artists

3. Zheng Chongbin: Golden State (through January 4, 2026)

Write a 1-page analysis of this solo exhibition

4. Chapter 5: "Amplifying Learning" from Your Brain on Art (pages 135-164)

Write a 1-2 page summary of the important ideas addressed in this chapter (everyone does this, including alternative museum trip participants)

Total assignment length: 4-5 pages

Alternative Assignment for SBMA visitors: If you cannot make the LA museum field trips, you may visit the Santa Barbara Museum of Art instead. This becomes a 5-part assignment covering current SBMA exhibitions: 1) Proscenium: Elliott Hundley, 2) Math + Art, 3) Guides to Enlightenment: Tibetan Paintings, 4) Sea of Ice: Echoes of the European Romantic Era, plus 5) the same Your Brain on Art chapter summary. Total: 5 pages for SBMA alternative.

Assignment Guidelines

→ Take a selfie at the museum and include photos of artworks that interested you as proof of attendance

→ Use proper Chicago citations (footnotes + bibliography)

See sample Chicago format paper for formatting reference

→ Submit as PDF format

→ Connect your analysis to course readings (Benjamin, Berger, etc.)