Connecting Themes

The connecting theme should focus on _______ rather than just the appearance, such as aesthetics or emotional qualities.

• images

• technique

• ideas

• structure

Which of these would be a good connecting theme?

• Beauty Norms Across Gender

• Identity and Portraiture

• War and Emotion

• Colorful Abstract Art

Why do we choose a connecting theme?

• To focus on the formal qualities of the artworks, such as color and line, without broader analysis.

• To avoid complex contrasts and make the Comparative Study easier to write.

• • To ensure the artworks are from the same time period, place, and cultural context for consistency.

• • To create a cohesive focus across the artworks and enable meaningful comparison and contrast.

True/False: A single word/noun is often okay for a connecting theme

• True

• False

When choosing your CS ​ (a)   , search ​ (b)   countries, cultures, and contexts, other than your own, to find artworks, artifacts, and ​ (c)   .

• #2
• multiple
• objects
• #1
• single
• pieces

About a CS #1 artwork: "Nick Cave creates “Soundsuits”—surreally majestic objects blending fashion and sculpture—that originated as metaphorical suits of armor in response to the Rodney King beatings and have evolved into vehicles for empowerment. Fully concealing the body, the “Soundsuits” serve as an alien second skin that obscures race, gender, and class, allowing viewers to look without bias towards the wearer’s identity. Cave regularly performs in the sculptures himself, dancing either before the public or for the camera, activating their full potential as costume, musical instrument, and living icon."

Based on the information of this CS #1 artist (click picture), what might be a good connecting theme? There might be more than one answer!

• "Fashion as art and identity concealment"

• "Energetic Music and Movement"

• "Fashion and Sculpture for Change"

• "Rodney King and the '90s"

• "Race relations and wearable art"

About a CS #1 artwork: "Winslow Homer (1836–1910) was a leading figure in American Realism, known for his depictions of everyday life and the powerful forces of nature. His painting “After the Hurricane, Bahamas” (1899) portrays a Black man lying on a beach amidst storm wreckage, reflecting themes of survival and human vulnerability in the face of nature’s power. Part of the American Realist movement with Romantic influences, Homer’s work often explored the resilience of marginalized communities and the sublime relationship between humans and the natural world. This piece, like much of his later work, is a profound meditation on the interplay between humanity and nature"

Based on the information of this CS #1 artist (click picture), what might be a good connecting theme? There might be more than one answer!

• "Exploring human nature after natural disaster"

• Landscapes and the Bahamas

• "Depictions of humanity in the face of adversity"

• "Scenes of natural destruction"

• "Survival and vulnerability in natural disasters"

About a CS #1 artwork: "Gerhard Richter is a German artist known for his versatility, moving between photorealism and abstraction to explore themes of memory, perception, and the ambiguity of reality. His painting “Abstraktes Bild” (801-3) (1994) exemplifies his abstract style, created through layers of color applied and scraped with a squeegee, reflecting his interest in chance and control. Influenced by postwar German history and modernist movements, Richter’s work often blurs the boundaries between representation and abstraction, challenging traditional notions of artistic expression. His abstract paintings serve as meditations on emotion and process, offering viewers open-ended interpretations."

Based on the information of this CS #1 artist (click picture), what might be a good connecting theme? There might be more than one answer!

• "Paintings of textures and smudges"

• "Postwar art about specific historical events"

• "Constructed Realities Affecting Human Behavior"

• "German Abstract Artists"

• "Layering and the passage of time"

Which of the following statements about a Connecting Theme is TRUE?

• It should focus only on a single noun or subject matter.

• It can be found across different cultures, periods, styles, and media.

• It must focus on one specific time and place for clarity.

• It should be unique and not connect to existing research.

Why might "Hip Hop & Globalization" a good fit as a Comparative Study theme?

• • It focuses only on a single culture, limiting the analysis.

• • It can connect ideas that can span multiple styles, periods, and regions.

• • It is highly specific, making it hard to compare and contrast.

• It avoids connecting any broader cultural or social implications.