ART 9 Chicanx/Latinx Art: Resistance and Affirmation Through Painting

Units: 3
Advisories: ART 33A Beginning Drawing with a grade of “C” or better.
This introductory level course develops an appreciation and understanding of Chicanx/Latinx art and culture through exploration of ancestral heritage, historical experiences and influences, symbols, theories, painting principles, techniques, practices, artists, and examples, as well as engagement with the community through theory and studio work in the application of aesthetic principles to the design of useful and decorative objects and spaces reinforcing Chicanx/Latinx historic/cultural styles. This course engages with Chicanx/Latinx art and painting techniques to explore and develop images and understanding of Chicana/o cultural themes and expressions. Students experiment with images and symbols from their immediate environment/culture through an integrated approach to the Chicanx/Latinx philosophy of art. Students will develop a better understanding of the interrelationship between the self and the creative arts while affirming contributions to knowledge, civilization, and society by men and women from a variety of Chicanx and Latinx cultures. Lessons explore great Chicanx/Latinx works of the human imagination, as well as related painting materials, perceptual skills and color theory, paint mixing and techniques, and creative responses to materials and subject matter. With a major emphasis on the integration of culture, history, theory, criticism, and aesthetics of Chicanx/Latinx art, this adventurous course actively integrates the aforementioned lessons and moves out of the classroom and studio setting to directly engage students and local communities with the application of Chicanx/Latinx art. Students learn fundamental aspects of Chicanx/Latinx art and culture through painting and application of formal art elements as well as experimentation in various painting media. Art projects develop an understanding of how historical and socio-political events impact communities and reinforce Chicanx/Latinx historic/cultural styles. The course is taught in English (with some code-switching in Spanish). (UC, CSU)