Category: Blog 6

The work of art thatI am very interested in discussing is the song, “The Bigger Picture” by the musician, Lil Baby. He released this song on June 12th 2020. This artwork was released in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. Lil baby tackles the topic of police brutality and the racial motivation behind it. Lil baby’s message is that we need to speak up about what is happening with people of color being wrongfully murdered by police. Police were put in place to keep everyone safe, not to see and treat people by their color. I chose this particular artwork, because I love Lil baby as a musician, and his music plays a major impact in my life. On top of that, police brutality is a current issue that I feel really passionate about.

Potential thesis: This artist’s work shows the truth behind police brutality, in an attempt to spread awareness and let people know that it is best to speak up.

Title: Self-Portrait, 1907 – Pablo Picasso. The artwork is a reflection of Picasso’s mental health and image. It demonstrates losing touch with reality and yourself, which is what Picasso was going through as he aged. I believe the art piece can be interpreted at face value and more. It has a lot of undertones, especially if you take a look at Picasso’s earlier portraits. Each portrait slowly became more unrealistic and distorted. In the 18th century, no one understood mental health, thus Picasso was not able to get the health he needed.

There was more mental health awareness at all back then, people who didn’t act ”normal” were just called crazy and pushed aside. Many people were sent to asylums or received some inhumane form of therapy.  This art piece is about a brilliant man who never got help. This art piece has always spoken to me, more than the later portraits. At face value, it’s just an unfinished portrait of Picasso. Furthermore, this portrait to me is the start of the downfall for Picasso. This artist’s artwork attempts to expose the truth about the lack of mental health awareness in the 1900s.

 

The artist I chose to write about is Mitski. She is a singer and songwriter. I would write about some specific songs she has written. The songs I would use are from albums made in 2016, 2012, and 2014. The one specific song I am most certain about is from 2016 called, “Your Best American Girl.” I believe Mitski wrote this song with her experience in relationships where she didn’t feel “American” enough or white enough for her partner as a Japanese-American woman. The music video shows her getting fixed with makeup and hairspray wearing a nice suit while the male interest – the “all American boy” is in a dirty t-shirt. Despite the difference, she still is interested in him. A white woman suddenly intervenes and basically takes the white man away from Mitski and she’s left sad. This music video and song hold a lot of meaning, but the major thing it represents is people of color in relationships dating nonpeople of color, and how it can sometimes be very toxic or have racism embedded in it. Someone actually commented, “as someone who’s getting out of their ‘I wish I was white’ phase this is such an empowering song to hear thank you so much!” Which I think says a lot about being a young woman(man) of color in America, not even in dating just in general. 

I chose this song because I have always loved it and I knew there was such a deeper meaning behind it, so I think this paper would help me analyze it and enjoy the song more knowing its full meaning. Also- the meaning itself is something people may struggle with that is really unfortunate but really important to be talked about. My potential thesis statement would be – Mitski’s song “Your Best American Girl” attempts to expose the truth about race and how it can affect people’s relationships.”

1. History of rap music, the artist Biggie Smalls
2. The history of rap music exposes a lot that goes down in the industry. Several social issues are mentioned throughout his songs
3. This piece of art brings out multiple issues in society
4. I chose this form of art because I can express myself in many ways and touch upon several topics.
5. Biggie Smalls uses this form of art to express the downfalls and hardships in society that people in power don’t acknowledge or pretend it’s not happening.