Discussion A – Rivera and Rockefeller
In the 1999 film, Cradle Will Rock, directed by Tim Robbins, the actor Ruben Blades portrays the Mexican artist Diego Rivera, John Cusack plays the wealthy art patron Nelson Rockefeller, and Susan Sarandon a wealthy Italian woman. The film includes a brief recreation of the controversy surrounding the Rockefeller Center mural, Man at the Crossroads, discussed in Chapter 4.
View this clip
from the film. (as in Digging for the Truth, this is a large file and it may take a while to download before it will play)
This short scene includes a dialogue between Rivera and an Italian patron and friend:
In the mural, what do you see that are common themes in Rivera’s art and political views?
If you were in Rockefeller’s position, would you have the mural destroyed? Why or why not?
please wtite around 250+ words about the question. Also, please try to use your own word, do not copy a lot from the file.
Discussion B – Frida Kahlo, Iconography and the Self-Portrait
Review the material about Frida Kahlo in Chapter 4, part 2. In her many self-portraits, Kahlo often incorporated iconography and imagery that reflected different aspects of her life experience and culture.
In 1939, Frida made this painting, called The Two Fridas. What do you see in this self-portrait? Try exploring the internet for sources about this painting and write about it and/or the biography of Frida Kahlo.
Or can you find other artworks by Frida that express her cultural or ethnic identity? Do NOT write about the STUDY PICTURE – try to find a different example. Frida Kahlo liked to make reference to Mexican folk arts (traditional arts). Can you identify iconography in her paintings that represent Mexican culture or heritage?
During her lifetime, her husband Diego Rivera was much more famous. In our time, Kahlo has become much more of a cultural icon. Why do you think that is?If you have the time, you might want to watch the 2002 biographical film, Frida, starring Salma Hayek as Frida Kahlo and Alfred Molina as Diego.
please wtite around 250+ words about the question. Also, please try to use your own word, do not copy a lot from the file.
E.7
Siqueiros and América Tropical
Pictures above:
The faded remains of David Alfaro Siqueiros’ mural América Tropical.
Digital Reconstruction of América Tropical.
In Discussion A we discuss the controversy over Diego Rivera’s mural for Nelson Rockefeller, Man at the Crossroads.
In 1932, David Alfaro Siqueiros encountered similar opposition to the political aspects of his work. His two commissioned public murals in Los Angeles, Street Meeting and América Tropical, were painted over shortly after their creation, but his work had lasting influence in Chicano Movement murals, which we will discuss in Chapter 5.
In 2012, the Los Angeles Autry Museum’s exhibition, Siqueiros In Los Angeles: Censorship Defied, explored the impact of Siqueiros’ work. To help preserve what’s left of the mural, massive conservation work took place and eventually in that year (2012), it was reopened to the public with an accompanying interpretation center.
Read this NPR report (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. and this L.A. Times column (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. about its restoration.
What was Christine Sterling’s original view for the development around Olvera Street, and how does that relate to the Mission Myth discussed in the chapter reading (Chapter 4 Part 2)? What elements do you see in Siqueiros’ mural that conflict with that view?
please wtite around 500+ words about the question. Also, please try to use your own word, do not copy a lot from the file.
Passwork for 04chapter part2: zootsuit