PHIL 347 Week 2 Discussion Option 1: Context, Meaning, and Value - With Replies

The topic I selected to research was Option 1: California Washington mural painting which was titled, The Life of Washington by Depression-era artist Victor Arnautoff. At first just looking at the im ages that displayed in the google search, I found to be offensive and hurtful to minorities and thought immediately that it’s not appropriate or right to sill have in display because it provides ignorance and cause some individuals to have the wrong view points on basic human rights and decrease sense of worth. After view few pictures, I went in dept of reviewing various news articles and the controversy interpretation of the images in the painting has caused in relation to the meaning, value, and context the image is portraying. The four questions I addressed after reviewing different articles is as follows: 1. What do you think should be done with the artwork (e.g., painted over, covered, destroyed, left as is in plain view, etc.)? Why? The art murals created by Victor Arnautoff should be destroyed. I believe that in his era of time when he painted these murals. The purpose, intent of context, and meaning were less offensive because of the population who attended that school. But now, in the era in which we want the real truth and not a painted perfect picture of natives, and immigrants working so nicely with white Americans is not the realistic society that Victor Arnautoff perceived to be. 2. Should the context in which people now view the artwork have an impact on the decision of what to do with it? Yes, the context in which people now view the artwork should have an impact on the decision of what to do with the Victor Arnautoff murals in George Washington High. The proception of “realistic” society that he created is inaccurate and I believe that the murals are offensive and should be replaced with artwork created by the art students at the George Washington High school that represent the school and their values, beliefs, events, or issues which are important to the student and faculty of that school. 3. What message do you think the artwork conveys? To me personally, when I look at these art pieces, I don’t understand how the artist believed that he is creating an image that makes the viewers uncomfortable. I believe it was a political message through imagery to cause pollical debate and recognition of being critic of his society. 4. Do you think the artists were biased or prejudiced? If yes, explain specifics about the artwork that support your opinion. Do you think viewers might be bringing bias or prejudice to their opinions? Are you? I do believe that the artist was biased and his proception of reality of society was not intended to be revealing the truth about the living conditions, and the horrific treatment and slavery of African Americans and genocide of Native Americans. Furthermore, yes, I do believe the viewers will have bias or prejudice opinion towards these murals based on their own interpretation of the image and how their preserve to be the message intended by the artist. References: Cherny, Robert W. . (2019, September 03). The “Life of Washington” Murals Explained. Retrieved from The Living New Deal: