Art 468/668
Oral History Assignment
This assignment will allow you to complete your own study of an Appalachian artist, documented in such a way that it will contribute to the current body of knowledge of Eastern Kentucky art and that it will give you the experience of approximating what might be required of a standard arts grant research project.
Due: CD of recording, transcription, and written paper April 19; Oral Presentations April 19-May 3
Value: Learning how to conduct and record an oral history interview in a respectful, ethical, and thorough manner. Refining your skills in placing personal or local history in a larger regional and national context. Completing a service project for the Eastern Kentucky region. Learning more about the arts and artists of Eastern Kentucky. Honing your research and writing skills. Completing original research. Getting to know some interesting people. And...30% of your grade.
This assignment requires that you (1) interview an Eastern Kentucky artist, making a digital recording of at least an hour-long interview (2) document that artist's work in digital form (at least three works) and photograph the artist (if they give permission for a photo of themselves) (3) download the digital recording to your desktop, save the file, and submit a CD with this file (4) transcribe an hour of the interview (5) write a short, typed paper summarizing what you have learned from the interview and placing it in historical context (6) present brief excerpts from the interview with commentary for a class presentation
Recording the Interview (1)
Practice with your equipment before you go to your interview! Make sure that your lap top is charged or that you have access to an outlet, or if you are using one of the audio recorders that you take extra batteries. If possible visit the artist in advance (even if by phone) to discuss some of the questions you may have. Let them know that your interview will last at least an hour (pay close attention to their level of fatigue). Make a plan for the interview before you go (order of questions, etc.)
Choose a location for the interview that is free from noise and distractions. When you begin, test your equipment. Play a test back to make sure everything is in order. When ready, record a "lead" that tells the listener who is being recorded and who is making the recording, the day and time, the location, and the subject of the interview.
You may check out digital voice recorders from the Camden-Carroll Library (see http://www.moreheadstate.edu/library/access/index.aspx?id=2609). We also have some digital recorders for check out from the Department of Art and Design (sign up for a scheduled time on Joy's door). Read the guidelines for the recorders, before beginning your project.
NOTE: YOU MUST OBTAIN YOUR ARTIST'S SIGNATURE ON THE RELEASE FORM BEFORE BEGINNING THE INTERVIEW. You must explain that these interviews will be made public in both audio and/or video file and written transcription form (they will be placed on the Eastern Kentucky Arts Projects website--www.ekap.org).
Transcribing the Interview (4)
See Transcribing Guidlines provided
Make certain that you allow sufficient time to transcribe your interview. It is estimated that it can take between six and twelve hours to transcribe an hour of interview. Make certain that you build this time into your schedule.
Completing the Paper (5)
At least three individual works must be discussed in your paper, and digital photographs of these works must be included with your interview on the CD. The works should be appropriately labeled/identified (date--if known, medium/technique, title--if applicable). The completed paper must be typed, double spaced, approximately 5-6 pages in length (graduate students 7-8 pages). You must cite sources according to the MLA style book (available at the main library or please also see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_mla.html). It would also be nice to include a photo of your artist, if that is possible and if this is acceptable to your artist.
1. Select an artist that has a connection with the Eastern Kentucky region. The artist may work full time at their "art" or "craft", or not. They may be originally from the region, or not (but must qualify in your mind as an "Appalachian artist.") Unless there are publications that discuss your artist, you will need to gather all of the information on your artist first hand. Make sure your artist gets a copy of your paper when completed; this is only common courtesy.
2. Prepare a working bibliography. This must include at least five sources that deal with technique, medium, style, or general history that is relevant to your artist and his/her work. These are to be used as references to help you understand your artist's life and work--they are not just to be "cited" to meet the requirements of the paper. Your paper must show evidence of what you learned from these sources and that this is incorporated into your paper.
3. Drawing on your research and reading, as well as class lectures and discussions, analyze all factors which have contributed to this artist’s work:
A. Cultural/Social Context. What do you know about the life style, world view, social concerns of this artist’s world? What significant historical events influenced this life style and world view? What do you know about the history of this artist’s particular art form within the region?
B. Personal Background of the Artist. What have been this artist’s significant life experiences? Where and when did they grow up? Who/what were the important influences on them as human beings and as artists? What experiences contributed to their decision to make art?
C. Training of the Artist, Market. Was/is the artist a "professional" working full time at his/her art or is this done in their "spare" time? How did the artist learn this art form? Is there a history of this art form in their family? Are they passing this skill and knowledge on to other members of their family? Do they exhibit their work or share their work in other ways within their community? Have they ever donated or participated in raising money for community projects or church, etc. through their art? Do they sell their art? If so, do they find sufficient financial support for their work (ie. is there a market for their work?)
D. Medium. Why did this artist choose their particular medium of self-expression? How does this medium suit this artist’s personal style and goals? Do they view their art as "craft" or as "art"? Why? Does the artist employ any special or unique techniques? Where does their material come from (ie. used or new, etc)? Have they changed their technique/materials over time? If so, why? Are any of their techniques traditional within their own family?
E. Subject Matter (iconography). Is the artist’s work representational? If so, can you identify the subject matter in the work correctly? Why was this subject matter chosen for this particular work? If not representational, why did the artist choose to express him/herself in a non-representational way?
G. WHAT MAKES THIS ARTIST AN APPALACHIAN ARTIST? (Their place of birth? Where they now live? Their subject matter? The particular type of art they do? Do the feel their art form is part of their Appalachian heritage?
The following are useful sites related to oral history projects:
"What is Oral History?" (History Matters)
"Step-by-Step Guide to Oral History" (Do History on Your Own, Judith Moyer)
Oral History Association's Evaluation Guidelines
University of North Carolina's Oral History Guide for Students
Indexing and Transcribing Your Interview (Library of Congress Veterans History Projec)t