Ashley's Adventure 2 Survey + Response Inheritance at the Whitney Museum
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New York University *
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Course
201
Subject
Arts Humanities
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
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5
Uploaded by SuperHumanFire12814
Ashley Shira Hakakian
Adventure 2: “Inheritance” at the Whitney Museum Survey + Response
Post questions 1 and 2 under the “Adventure 2” tab under “Assignments.”
Post question 3
on the forum under the “Discussions” tab.
1.
Please check the answer that applies.
If you check any of the responses other than the
first one, please provide an explanation:
●
I attended “Inheritance” at the Whitney with my whole group.
Here’s a
picture of us at the exhibit!
●
I attended “Inheritance” at the Whitney with these members of my group.
Here’s a picture of us.
●
I attended “Inheritance” at the Whitney by myself.
Here’s a picture of me.
●
I did not attend “Inheritance” at the Whitney.
●
We also attended the Ruth Asawa and Henry Taylor exhibits at the
Whitney.
Here’s a picture of us at these exhibits.
Give us 5 points of extra
credit!
2.
The following questions aren’t to surveil you, they are to give me a chance to take into
account how much labor you put into this assignment: How much time did your
group spend planning your trip?
How much time did you spend traveling to and
from the exhibit?
How much time did you spend in the exhibition?
Our group spent a few days planning the trip and figuring out what day and time worked
best for all of us. It took us about twenty minutes to get to the exhibit and twenty minutes to get
back from the exhibit. We spent about an hour and a half at the exhibitions in all including the
two extra credit exhibitions.
3.
The answers to the following questions count as part of the Discussion
Board/Annotation assignment.
Please post your responses on Brightspace under the
“‘Inheritance” at the Whitney” forum.
1. What are the multiple ways inheritance is defined/imagined in this show?
What ideas/questions/surprises about inheritance did the show prompt for you?
[This
question can be completed by the collective as one response or you can answer
individually. Or you might try documenting a conversation your collective collectively
has about these questions.]
One of the main forms of inheritance that the show highlights is the process of birth. When you
first walk into the exhibit, a large screen plays a video of a pregnant woman, her stomach moving
from the kick of her child. By nature of existence, humans intrinsically carry forward the lineage
of their families. As babies we are shaped by the influence of our caretakers, entering the world
with a blank slate that is open and easily impressionable to carry forward what we are taught and
exposed to by our family. Additionally, through a scientific outlook, we carry DNA that is a
reflection of the people who came before us. The exhibit displays paintings, films, and
photographs of the journey of motherhood and adolescence to capture both the perspective of
passing down as well as inheriting. Another form of inheritance is through the ancestors and the
impact they have on the later generations in many different aspects of life. Through the traditions
that are passed down, culture that is expressed, and different practices that are continued by
younger generations we noticed that the history and culture of our ancestors are innately passed
down and influence us today. We saw this through various paintings in the exhibit that expressed
this idea and the importance of inheritance. Inheritance is not solely based on genetics and
biology but also on cultural and spiritual aspects of life as well. Especially for art, drawing
inspiration from artists before was also another form of inheritance we were able to notice in the
exhibit. While it may seem intuitive, we believe that this idea is rarely pointed out and is left to
be undermined. All artists derive their art from an inspiration or idea that was made before them.
For example, many of the art forms we saw were repurposed things that were once used for other
purposes, like the sneakers or the old TV on the floor. It made us think about the true meaning
behind many of these modern art forms. Using other artists or creators' previous work, deepens
the true thought-provoking reason the artist wanted us to think and feel by seeing their work.
While modern art may seem to be simple and lack depth, there always is an underlying reason or
story behind the art that gives it so much more depth than it first seemed to be. The exhibit
sparked various questions about inheritance. We found ourselves contemplating how different
forms of art, like paintings or sculptures, and real-life videos can convey the idea of passing
down traditions or stories through generations. We wondered whether there are universal themes
in the exhibit or if inheritance is a deeply personal and diverse experience for everyone. We
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questioned how the visuals affected our understanding of inheritance and thought about the role
of videos and sculptures in conveying this concept. Also, the mix of art forms got us thinking
about the various angles from which inheritance was portrayed. It left us curious about the
different takes presented through these artworks. Overall, the exhibit encouraged us to think
beyond material possessions and consider the broader aspects of what we inherited from our
ancestors. A thought that stuck with us after leaving the exhibit was how we could effectively
show the concept of inheritance in different ways. We kept thinking about the many ways to
bring out the essence of inheritance and how it could be expressed in diverse forms.
2. What is one work of art from the show that resonated with you?
Annotate it visually,
and explain why you chose it.
You can also choose works from the Ruth Asawa and/or
Henry Taylor show.
The artwork that deeply resonated with me from the exhibition is the painting titled
"Grandmother's Prayers" by Wakeah Jhane. Visually, the painting portrays a grandmother
positioned at the top, surrounded by various phases of the moon. Below her, she tenderly holds
roots that extend toward her descendants, symbolizing a connection to her lineage. In the
backdrop of the painting, there is a lot of writing including visible names of individuals. The text
adds profound meaning to the artwork, describing how, long before the grandmother knew she
would become a mother and grandmother, she fervently prayed for the well-being of future
generations. The painting beautifully captures the essence of generational connection and the
ancestral prayers that serve as the roots of the family tree. The words emphasize the anticipation
and hope carried by the grandmother for her descendants, praying to shield them from the
world's harsh realities. I picked this painting because it beautifully shows the strong connections
between generations, the influence of prayers from our ancestors, and the real roots that tie us to
our family's history. It resonated with me as a heartfelt tribute to the women who came before us,
and it captures the essence of the legacies we continue to honor.
3. Start to create a preliminary list of the multiple forms of inheritance of modernity that
you are a part of.
What on this list interests you the most and why?
-
Family
-
Tradition
-
Faith
-
Morals and ethics
For me, the most intriguing aspect on this list is family. It's not just about our close relatives but
this intricate network of connections, stories, and shared experiences that spans across
generations. The idea of tradition also catches my interest because it's not just a set of practices;
it's a connection to our roots, a link to where we come from. Faith is also very important to me,
which often stems from family teachings, shaping how I see the world and what I value. In terms
of morals and ethics, it's not some distant philosophy for me. Instead, it's intricately entwined in
the day-to-day workings of my family. It guides the way I figure out what's right and wrong,
shaping my understanding of how to navigate the complexities of life. So, delving into the
inheritance from my family feels like uncovering a treasure trove that shapes not only who I am
personally but also where I stand in a broader cultural context. It's the heart of influence for
many aspects in my life.