Visual Culture Database Form ARTE344 Spring 2020

Provider: Kristiana Vasil

Number:
1
Big Idea/Subject:
Identity
Major Theme:
African American’s not
belonging in America. (As
discussed in class, is there
a simpler way of phrasing
this?)
Medium/ Presentation:
Oil on canvas 36 x 50
Visual Components:
Culture, Race, Overcoming
Adversity, Narrative (Be
sure to include the
elements of art and
principles of design
included in this piece)
Category: Underline One
Fine Arts
Pop art
Pop culture
Non-‐art
Authorship: Artist, etc. Faith Ringgold
Title: Black Light Series #10: Flag for the Moon: Die Nigger, 1967
Original Location:
Description/ (In this section, please first give a thorough description of the
Interpretation artwork. Then, give your interpretation of the artwork’s
meaning and use specific examples tied to your description.
Use in Teaching: Could be tied with History/ Global Issues/ English/
American Studies classes that discuss discrimination
towards African Americans in the 60’s.
(In this section, give a specific art lesson you might
teach based on the artwork’s media, Big Idea, formal
qualities, or overall narrative. Your lesson should
not be to create an exact copy of the piece. Be sure to
include your discussion questions in this section as
well.
Source: https://www.faithringgold.com/portfolio/black-‐light-‐ series-‐10-‐^lag-‐for-‐the-‐
moon-‐die-‐nigger/
 Good work overall, Kristiana! For your future VCDBs, be sure to include the elements
and principles in the Visual Components section, provide a thorough description,
include your interpretation of the piece’s meaning, and include a specific lesson idea
and guiding questions in the Use in Teaching section.

1. This painting is the American ^lag with a message hidden within it. Behind the stars
is the word “DIE”, and within the stripes is the word “NIGGER”.

2. If you look at the ^lag too quickly you almost don’t even notice it. In 1967 African
American’s felt like being American meant being “dead”. They didn’t have equal
rights, and were treated with complete disrespect.

3. This ^lag would be great if it were tied with a high school History/ Global Issues/
English/ American Studies course. The course must be high school level because of
their level of maturity. This ^lag (along with the rest of the collection) could be
discussed with the students.
4. Discussion Questions
1. What do you see when you look at this image? (What is it? What medium? etc.)
2. Who might have or would have painted something like this and why?
3. What does this represent or mean to you?
4. Around what year do you think something like this would have been painted?
5. What message do you think they were trying to get across?
6. After seeing some other pieces from the collection, does this piece or the
collection hold a different meaning?
7. Do you think the collection would “say” the same thing if it were done in
a different medium?
8. Over all, what is the artist trying to say?