Visual Culture Videos

Sydney Winkel

AED 398

Instructor Jamie Tabone

October 27, 2018

• In your own words, what does Visual Culture mean to you, how would you define it? 

Visual culture is the media and pop-culture which surrounds and encompasses our culture today. Visual culture is found in the ads we see, the websites we look at, the apps we use, and the images we are confronted with in everyday life. Visual culture expresses dialog of both major advertisers to common people. 

June K McFee video (from 1995, wow!)):

• What are the most important things discussed that are still relevant today in regards to Art Education and Visual Culture?

That a teachers attitude can direct and lead an individual. Each individual has power and it is up to educators to inform the students of our time the capabilities of their voices and to give them the ability to see, look, and study the impact of our visual culture and how to take control over it rather than blindly follow a crowd. 

In the "Zinester: Art of Individualism" video:

• Have you heard of "Zines" before? 

Yes. 

• What do you think about the Zine Library?

I found it to be a great way to connect with the alternative people and artists of a community. It is an exchange of art and ideas. 

• What do you think of the concept of consumers/producers?

Zines are an outlet for ordinary individuals to express their ideas without credibility and is a true form of art for the people and as a form of self-expression without needing a formal platform.

• Would you find the creation of a Zine an appropriate topic/project to explore in your classroom?

Absolutely. It is a great way for students to have an active voice in expressing, thought, ideas, and humor.

In the "Beginning a Lesson" Video:

• What information from this video is of interest to you for your classroom?

The video stated that as educators it is our job to teach our students to create solutions to problems that have not even been created yet. My take away from that is to teach your students through themes that persist across time and inform them of the present as it unfolds. 

• Do you find the "Arguments 1-4" valid concepts to explore Visual Culture in the classroom?

Yes. The arguments are important factors which characterize our time. If we do not teach our students to remain visually literate and conscious who will?

• How might you use these in your classroom?

I think all of these arguments could be used as topic discussions and themes to explore in a lesson. For example, students could appropriate a current topic or parody and idea for the humor or as a way to question and counter an idea.