Amber Westmoreland

Art 133
Unit 2
Barrett Hurwitz and Day all discuss the roles of denotation and connotation when looking
art. Denotation is the subject matter (what is literally seen in the art work); Connotation is the
implicated meaning relayed from the subject matter. (Freedman, 2007, P.86) For example Barrett
used a Rolling Stones cover page to teach these terms resulting in a discussion of big ideas on
power. The pictured women seem to assert they are in charge of there sexuality. Some students
observed that this musical group is part of a trend toward girl power (Barrett 3/2003 P. 5)
Subsequently others deciphered the mere opposite, viewing this image is objectifying women;
thus raising questions: what is power and how it can be defined. Chiang taught an entirely
different lesson that focused on the impact visual culture had on students. Through their studies
and observations students learned how huge business franchise change the social system in local
neighborhoods. (seen in the art work); Connotation is the implicated meaning relayed from the
subject matter. (Freedman, 2007,) By questioning the stores power and how it effected the town
children learned about corporate stores identity, marketing, and graphic design. (seen in the art
work); Connotation is the implicated meaning relayed from the subject matter. (Freedman,
2007,) In both Barretts and Chaings cases, power worked as an aid to transgress over various
subject matter.
In a classroom of High School Students I would expand on Chaing's studies to have the
students explore there own power through the process of supporting large franchises verses local
businesses. This could be applied across multiple subject matters. In math they could conduct a
study on how much each individual spent at large franchises. I would then have them create a
total of the class and figure out the percentage of the franchises store revenue they were

responsible for, and what that percentage would be of a local store, whos revenues would be
smaller. I would then ask them visually represent their role in local business and large franchises.
During critiques we would discuss which role they preferred and why.