Is it the Art of Justice or the Justice of Art?

Elmira, NY (06/11/2021) — This is the fifth of seven First-Year Friday articles that will run every Friday through the end of June.

From sculpture to painting and modern installations, artists ask us to consider contemporary issues. But what role can art play in generating solutions for social and environmental issues? That question is explored in three First-Year Seminar classes investigating various mediums of personal expression and the role of art and science in helping create a more just world. All three will help students find their own voice and inspire them to be their best when facing difficult issues.

In Against the Grain, Christopher Longwell, assistant professor of art, is excited to teach students about the ways individuals across different pursuits such as science, comedy, writing, and art push against societal norms and find unique ways to express themselves. Yet, to understand how these innovators were breaking from the pack, students will need to understand the historical context in which their resistance was born.

"After taking this class I hope no student aspires to 'go with the flow,'" said Longwell.

Students in media artist Jan Kather's Just Design class will consider the role that design plays in understanding conflicts that result from discrimination by race, gender, religion and cultural identity.

"Making sense of the world can be achieved when we analyze the underlying "designs" that shape our everyday life," Kather said. "Our readings, discussions and fine arts projects will help to guide us through a process of self discovery and cooperative learning. As part of our coursework, our own illustrations of the amendments to the U.S. Constitution will be displayed in the lobby of the Gannett-Tripp library in celebration of Constitution Day on September 17, 2021."

Other design projects (informed by the class readings) will involve poetry, collage, video, staged readings, and other forms of expression.

Exploring the role art plays in ecological and environmental challenges is Derek Chalfant, associate professor of art. In Theme: Art, Design, and Ecology, students will develop a broad understanding of those ecological issues and their relationship to the social, political, cultural, and economic systems that impact the future of humanity, other species, and our shared planet.

"Never before have ecological and environmental issues been more pressing and creative solutions needed," said Chalfant. "We will explore artistic responses to environmental sustainability and related social issues, looking at artists, designers, and architects that work across disciplines and within communities to focus attention on the web of interrelationships in our environment, to the physical, biological, cultural, political, and historical aspects of ecological systems.

"Students will understand how their own work as an individual, an artist or a designer can comment on, interact with, and impact the world."

These classes will help students find their own voice and inspire them to be their best when facing difficult issues that require leadership.

If you missed previous articles about the First-Year Seminar classes and Living Learning Communities you can find links to them below. We will continue to explore the way the First-Year Seminar classes are focused on leadership from the start through June 25. The First-Year Friday articles provide students a guide while they consider which courses to take and the Living Learning Community that best aligns with their own goals and aspirations.

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