This project begins with an attempt to understand how artists give shape and meaning to catastrophic loss, how they, in other words, use their art to honor and memorialize. Your topic, therefore, needs to focus on a catastrophe in which human beings have lost something of overwhelming value to them. Such events will likely be losing one’s own life or the lives of loved ones. It is possible that they have also lost their homes, their identities or their freedom. In general the catastrophe must include events in which the way of life of people in a community has been altered in some important way.
The report should have several parts:
1. The History of the Catastrophe
What happened? When did it occur? How long did it last? Who were the people affected on each side of the event(s)? In other words, were there perpetrators and victims? Where there bystanders and protestors? Is the problem resolved today? If so, how? If not, what is happening? How has the trauma been passed down to future generations?
2. The Artistic Response
How has the catastrophe been responded to by artists in general? Are there films, documentaries, testimonies, video archives, newspaper articles, editorials, fiction, poetry, and/or music that has been created to depict and comment on the events? Provide a general overview of what has been created. Are any of the productions created by victims or perpetrators? If so, tell us about them.
3. One Response in Depth
Choose one of the artists or one genre and describe his/her work. What did the artist try to do? What images or lines stand out for you? What do you make of this work? Does it grab you in some way? How successful do you find this artistic expression?
4. The Role and Place of Memorials after Catastrophe
Are there any attempts to heal or to move on from this catastrophe? Are there memorials? Were there or are there still ongoing issues surrounding the memorials? Are the memorials of short or long duration? Do they recur on anniversaries? Are they permanent? Do people visit them?
5. Reflection
What do you now understand about traumatic events and their aftermath? What is the relationship between artistic expression and catastrophe? For whom is the art created? Does it serve a purpose? What was it like for you to engage in this research? What, in other words, are you taking away with you?
