Good Morning Everyone!
My thesis scope has shifted a bit since my last post. My research will be looking at graphic communication throughout American history, from 1776 to 2026, for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. The question that informs this research, which is still subject to change minimally, is "In what ways have themes of resistance shaped graphic communication in the United States since its founding, and how can reexamining these often-forgotten works help contemporary grassroots movements convey their messages with greater force and clarity?" My hope for this research is a culmination in an exhibit that takes the viewer through a journey detailing a bottom up history of resistance in the United States by tracing how themes of dissent have circulated through both celebrated and overlooked works, this study underscores the power of graphic communication to preserve cultural memory while mobilizing people toward action. My hope is to categorize the exhibit into four overarching themes; Freedom, Peace, Solidarity, and Memory. Within each of these themes will be pieces from various resistance movements throughout American History as well as supplementary quotes from overlooked or underappreciated figures throughout American History that inspired those movements, and possibly photographs from rallies or marches led by resistance movements here in the US. My hope for this exhibit is to engage Americans with a history that is rather direct while pushing back against this idea of a resurgence of 1960s politics that we have been hearing a lot lately, it is my belief that dissent is a core piece of American culture that can be traced back to before 1776. However, since the founding document of this nation declared "...that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness..." the fight to make those words ring true across this land has continued to this very day and I believe that is something many Americans have not reckoned with or at least not beyond what they have learned in formal education settings.
Thursday, September 25, 2025
Thesis Progress Update :)
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This is really an incredible topic and I find a lot of interest in this work, as it's along the same lines as mine. I look forward to your findings and what it leads to, and ultimately your exhibition. I also wanted to extend an offer that if you're interested (or need it) to share an exhibition space. If I can secure the historic building downtown, and there's room, it would be cool to see them side by side. Feel free to deny! Good luck and great job.
ReplyDeleteThat would be awesome!! I would love to do that!
DeleteI'll keep you in the loop!
DeleteI love the idea above, I think from Lee. Consider how joining forces, even if not in space, but in timing to cross-promote, could be useful. Keep going!
ReplyDelete