Understanding: Arts and Humanities Perspectives
These presentations explore the nature and effects of COVID-19 through the Arts and Humanities disciplines.
Essential Question
How have street artists across the world responded to COVID-19?
Street art is a popular form of unauthorized visual art—think murals, graffiti, sometimes even artistic acts of defacement—created in public locations for the purpose of public visibility. In this workshop, we’ll study contemporary street artists’ responses to COVID-19.
To Do
Task 1: Explore additional examples of COVID-19 street art beyond what was introduced in the video. I’ve shared a collection of street art examples below ("Workshop Images"). Discuss the images that strike you in their respective forum on Al Khazneh using these guided questions to get you started:
- What does the image depict? What stands out to you most about the image?
- How does this image connect to the COVID-19 pandemic?
- What might be the purpose of this image?
- What category of #StreetArtCOVID19 does this image fall into? Is the image functioning as a warning? A social critique? A beacon of hope?
Task 2: Peruse these short news articles on street artists’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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“It Feels Like Wartime”: How Street Artists are Responding to Coronavirus
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Street Artists around the World are Spreading an Urgent Message
Task 3: Synthesize the images and information you’ve explored by engaging in a discussion with your peers on Al Khazneh.
Discussion Questions
- Reaction and Reflect: What kind of emotional responses do the examples of street art elicit from you?
- Purpose and Impact: What different purposes does COVID-19 street art serve? What can street art offer the world?
- Trans-Regional Appeal: From Mumbai to Miami, street art responding to COVID-19 is emerging across the world. Why might street art have such trans-regional appeal?
- Medium and Message: Street art is uniquely ephemeral—how long a particular piece will last is unknown. Why might street art be an ideal medium for artists responding to COVID-19?
Task 4: Using the examples of street art we’ve explored together and individually as an inspiration, what can you create to respond to COVID-19? Create and share your own work with #COVID19KA and #StreetArtCOVID19.
Program
Day 1: Tuesday, April 21
09:45 - 10:45
Opening Plenary: What Is COVID-19?
11:30 - 12:30
Understanding: STEM Perspectives
13:30-14:00
Stories of Survival
14:00 - 15:00
Understanding: Arts and Humanities Perspectives
Day 2: Wednesday, April 22
09:30 - 10:30
Overview and Plenary Session
10:30 - 11:15
Synthesis and Application: Guests
11:45 - 12:30
Synthesis and Application: King’s Academy Faculty
13:30 - 14:15
Closing Plenary
14:15-15:00
Closing Notes and Charge