Visual Studies 185x: Songs and Places
Fall 2010 / 4 units
Thursday Evenings 6-10pm; Occasional film screenings, schedule TBA
Room 170 Wurster   			
Instructor: Anthony Dubovsky		 	


What are the connections between song and place—visual, musical, and otherwise? How can we describe these connections--give them form? 

Music and place have long been intertwined, and the particulars of place have given rise to some of our most memorable songs: “On the Banks of the Ohio,” “Shenandoah” “Night Train to Memphis,” “Red River Valley,” “ Sweet Home Chicago.” Whether the folk lyrics from a Russian village on the banks of the Pripyet, or a single line from a shepherd’s flute in the Carpathian mountains, the songster licks of John Hurt down in Avalon, Mississippi, or a precisely bent blues note on a red electric guitar from Muddy Waters in Southside Chicago—the connection is endlessly evocative.  However, we live in a world where traditional places--and the traditional songs that come from them--are rapidly disappearing, inundated by the juggernaut of an international commercial culture which supplants (dis-places/re-places) them entirely. The American hamburger franchise on a street in Venice--or Moscow or Jakarta—is but emblematic, a bit of spindrift on the face of a wave in which much has already been swept away. And regardless of how one views this phenomenon, it will no doubt be remembered as a primary characteristic of our times.  

In this seminar-with-projects course we will investigate these changes by looking closely at the original connection between songs and places—and by making images in response. The medium will be open—drawing, painting, collage, writing, hybrid forms all acceptable. We’ll begin each week by listening to a selection of songs. Studio projects follow (outside of class). Then we reconvene, the following week, to look at and discuss the work. Followed by a new set of songs. 

Topics and Projects (for example): The local--rhythm, melody, color & tone. Place as pattern, color as time.  The urban locale--country culture meets the city--Chicago blues.  Other places, other times: Russian and Ukrainian  folksongs.  The Gypsies.  Crossover, transition and change: Old songs today.  The Songster World:  Henry Thomas and Mississippi John Hurt.  Chicago Blues: Muddy Waters, Elmore James.  A St. Louis Shouter: Big Joe Turner.  Appalachia: The Carter Family, Clarence Ashley & Doc Watson.  Woodie Guthrie.  That Lonesome Whistle: Hank Williams.  Nashville: The case of Patsy Cline.  The Human Jukebox: Sleepy LaBeef.  Memphis Losers: You’re Right, I’m Left, She’s Gone.  Roots Reggae, Nyahbinghi and the Dream of Africa.  The Red Army Chorus: A Folk Tradition Glorified (and Commandeered).  Flamenco Puro: Moron, Utrera, Labrija…  Y de seguro, las canciones criollas de Argentina…

Film Resources (for example): The Music Room (Satyajit Ray).  Latcho Drom (Tony Gatliff).  The Harder They Come (Jimmy Cliff/Perry Henzell).  Black Orpheus.  Straight, No Chaser – Thelonious Monk.  A Great Day in Harlem.  Say Amen Somebody (Rev. Thomas Dorsey).  Muddy Waters: Sweet Home Chicago.  Can’t You Hear the Wind Howl: Robert Johnson.  Song Catcher.  Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors.  Tout Le Matins de Jour.  Carmen / Blood Wedding  (Carlos Saura).  Chulas Fronteras (Les Blanc)…

Prerequisites: Upper Division or Graduate standing. Students should have ED 11A and/or equivalent background in the visual arts, and an interest in music (singing and/or playing an instrument helpful).  Majors from outside the CED with at least some studio art experience are welcome.     

Enrollment Procedures: FILL OUT APPLICATION QUESTIONNAIRE (on line at CED website). E-mail to Anthony Dubovsky at  chambersstreet@hotmail.com From your questionnaires the instructor will make a list of students to interview at beginning of the semester. Class acceptance will be decided only at that time. Priority goes to students who have completed this application.

VS 185X Songs & Places 
Enrollment Questionnaire
Fall 2010

Send to Anthony Dubovsky at  chambersstreet@hotmail.com



Name:

Where were you born? Where did you grow up?

Class (junior, senior, grad): 

Major:

Expected date of graduation:


Musical background:




Visual arts background:




Tell me about your interest in this class:





In addition, make a drawing of what you imagine this class might be like, scan and send to me with your questionnaire!

AND also attach 2-4 jpegs of your studio work (painting, drawing, etc.). Please send small-sized files (300k is fine), attached so that they open directly in your email. MAKE SURE YOUR NAME IS ON EACH JPEG.