APELC Class Notes
Objectives: APELCers processed texts from multiple genres.
Third juniors and seniors, we concluded Things Fall Apart today. Megan asserted the fluid nature of culture when I asked you to think about Okonkwo’s rigid nature. The ebbs and flows of culture(s) have informed our study of language and ideas throughout the year, and I appreciate all of the mind-bending that you all engaged in over the last four quarters.
We finished talking about the pop-political texts pertaining to the ascendancy of Barack Obama and their rhetorical significance. We examined a few pieces from the site Is Barack Obama the Messiah? (and to be fair and balanced I mentioned the site Barack Obama the Antichrist?, which informed our discussion of the messianic adoration that’s been bestowed upon our 44th president and included further analysis of Matthew Clark’s Simulation of the Triumphal Entry of the Christ and Michael D’antuono’s The Truth (the unveiling of which was canceled after the artist pusillanimously caved to public outrage).
The symbols were obvious, and I think, not so rich. Many expressed various offenses at the depictions of Obama, Nora, for example, at the sheer iconic spectacle of the texts, and Lauren for their overstepping religious boundaries. Taylor, on the other hand, defended the material and practical necessity of the artists’ endeavors. And Hal reminded us also that these texts were not endorsed or sponsored by the President, and that ultimately the artists must bear the full brunt of criticism and/or appreciation they warrant.
Here’s a piece, Obama Wet with Victory and Blackberry by Lukas Ketner (that’s my own title as I’m sure of its proper name) via another site, for fun and to highlight degree of unbelievable fandom that surrounds Mr. Obama. An updated version can be found at Mr. Ketner’s blog.
I also said I’d post the following video of Johnny Cash’s rendition of Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt”, which is utterly rife with religious symbols (the singer was a devout Christian). Dig it if you will.
See you next week for our final full practice before the APELC exam on May 13.