Dissecting Racial Logic in a Movie

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As part of our training in this course we should become critical consumers of race infused information,
messages, and logic coded in popular culture. The assumption here, is that popular culture plays a strong role in
building a racialized common sense, and as critical consumers of such products we can identify such biases and
logics. For this project, you should choose a feature length movie.
Your chosen movie should be contemporary (produced and set in a time period after the 1990s) so that you can
analyze a more sophisticated use of racial logic rather than the blatant ones that you can see in older movies
where it was comparatively more acceptable to be racist. I encourage you to choose a movie that is presented
without an overt racist plot so that you can train yourself at identifying sophisticated and hidden/latent racial
logics.

 What is the stated purpose or goal of this movie? You can find this information through trailers, or by
going through the publisher/studio website of the producers.
 What do you think is the unstated purpose or goal of your chosen movie? This is completely your view.
 Who is/was the target audience
 How was this movie received by the audience?
 Was it a commercial or critical success?
 How is race/racism/racial bias/racial logic built into this movie?
 Are these coded into the main story, or are they embedded in the background? Or elsewhere?
 How are characters depicted/portrayed? What are the traits, characteristics, preferences of these
characters and how do these carry a racial logic?
 What would a person consuming this movie learn about race and American society?

 

Sample Solution

Characteristics of the Italian Renaissance

The Italian Renaissance, a period of cultural and artistic flourishing, emerged in the 14th century. Key characteristics include:

 

  • Humanism: A focus on human potential and achievements rather than solely religious themes.
  • Realism: A strive for accurate representation of the natural world, including human anatomy and perspective.
  • Classicism: Drawing inspiration from Greek and Roman art and architecture.

 

  • Individualism: Emphasis on the individual and their accomplishments.

 

Stylistic Analysis of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa

Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is a quintessential example of Italian Renaissance art. Its stylistic elements include:

 

  • Perspective: Da Vinci masterfully employs linear perspective, creating a sense of depth and realism. The composition is pyramidal, drawing the viewer’s eye to the subject.

 

  • Chiaroscuro: The use of light and shadow to model the subject’s form, creating a sense of volume and dimensionality.
  • Sfumato: A smoky, hazy effect achieved through subtle blending of colors, contributing to the enigmatic quality of the painting.

 

  • Composition: The subject is positioned centrally, creating a balanced and harmonious composition.
  • Color: The palette is muted, with soft greens, browns, and blacks dominating, adding to the painting’s mysterious atmosphere.
  • Shape and Form: The subject’s form is carefully modeled, with attention to detail in the facial features and hands. The shape of the composition is triangular, leading the viewer’s eye to the focal point.

Meaning and Interpretation

The Mona Lisa’s enduring appeal lies in its enigmatic nature. While the painting’s subject matter is seemingly simple – a portrait of a woman – its execution is extraordinary. The subject’s enigmatic smile, combined with the subtle use of color and perspective, has captivated viewers for centuries.

 

Scholars have proposed various interpretations of the painting, including theories about hidden symbolism, the sitter’s identity, and the psychological state of the subject. Some suggest the ambiguous smile reflects the complexities of human emotion, while others propose it as a symbol of the Renaissance ideal of humanism.

 

Ultimately, the Mona Lisa’s meaning is subjective and open to interpretation. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its artistic brilliance and the power of art to evoke emotion and inspire contemplation.

 

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