It's never been harder to define "art" than it is today, but one thing is certain — artists are always having a conversation with the time they live in.
videos + essays
Over the next two years, Seeing America will grow to include 100 videos, 18 essays, quizzes, discussion questions and lesson plans.
Contemporary politics and classical architecture: Federal Building and Courthouse, Tuscaloosa
This federal building inspires discussion over neoclassical architecture's ties to the ideals of democracy and contemporary American politics.
Stefanie Jackson, Bluest Eye
Taking the name from Toni Morrison's debut novel, this painting's figures and scenes show the clash of innocence and the adult violence of bigotry and hatred
Teaching guide
Jaune Quick-To-See Smith, State Names
Jaune Quick-to-See Smith's map of North American state names drawn from Indigenous languages focuses on stolen lands, making clear the influence of Native peoples on the continent.
APUSH: KC-8.2.II.B, KC-9.2.II.C
TEKS: 113.41.(13)(A)
Mapping nature’s stunning beauty
The river's brilliant reflections gave shape to this enormous sculpture in silver
A desert on fire, Salgado in Kuwait
Finding heroism amidst one of the world's great environmental disasters.
1980–now
It's never been harder to define "art" than it is today, but one thing is certain — artists are always having a conversation with the time they live in.
Browse Smarthistory images for teaching & learning!
