Not Just a Pretty Picture
Simpson Colloquium 101
The visual arts are a powerful means of political propaganda and protest, shaping ideologies, national identities, and cultural attitudes. This class will explore these important and pervasive functions for art in 20th century Europe and America. We will view fine art and media forms (like posters and films) in an effort to uncover the diverse ways ideological agendas have been displayed in visual forms. We will also examine leaders who have used artists, art works, and artistic movements to promote ideologies – for example, Hitler’s targeting of so-called “degenerate” artists in his insidious campaign of cultural and national “cleansing.” By discussing and writing about art historical and interdisciplinary readings (as well as documentary sources), students will develop their skills in both critical thinking and critical looking.
Meet Your Professor
Gabrielle Rose-Curti, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Art
Just before leaving as a freshman for college in August of 1988 (now you know my age), my Dad leaned in toward me and said prophetically, “You’ll remember college as one of the best periods of your life.” It was true in so many ways and on so many levels. So I repeat my Dad’s words hopeful and confident that this will be the case for you. One of my main jobs, as your Simpson Colloquium teacher is to help you transition positively into this exceptional time of your life.
I’ve been at Simpson since 2008, teaching Art History courses covering every period of western art, from cave painting to contemporary art, as well as teaching the art of Asia and Africa as part of a Non-Western course offered here. My real love, and my concentration is in Modern art which I was fortunate to study as an undergraduate at Indiana University (Bloomington, IN) and as a graduate student at Rutgers University (New Brunswick, NJ), where I received my Masters and PhD. I am excited to share my particular interest in the connections between art and politics in the 20th Century for this Simpson Colloquium. This basic interest underlay my PhD research and continues to compel me in my current research.
I lived an eventful fourteen years in New Jersey going to graduate school, getting married, and having my one son (Everett — nine-years old). Now I’m happy to be back in the midwest close to my parents and extended family in my native Missouri. Aside from teaching and studying the history of art, I love doing things at home with my family here in Indianola. I really enjoy cooking, and when I’ve got more free-time, travelling –especially to see art, absorbing myself in a good book or a great film.
Meet Your Simpson Colloquium Leader
Kaitlyn Van Patten
Hello! My name is Kaitlyn Van Patten and I will be your Simpson Colloquium Leader for Professor Gabrielle Rose-Curti’s Simpson Colloquium course “Not Just a Pretty Picture”. I am the younger of two children; with an older brother and two adorably pudgy cats. I have grown up in Indianola all of my life (so if you ever need directions to anywhere, please do not hesitate to ask!). I attended and graduated from Indianola High School where I was active in numerous extracurricular activities such as; French Club, Drama Club, Theater Crew, Art Club, choir, orchestra, and Service Corps. Along with playing for our school’s soccer and golf teams! I am a junior who plans to graduate by May 2015 majoring in Graphic Design and Studio Art with a concentration in drawing.
I am a very open-minded, dorky, well organized kind of person and I love meeting new people! While I spend a lot of time in the art studio, when I am not you can find me hanging out with friends, getting my creativity on, hiking, and running. My goal is to make everyone comfortable here on campus and try my best to help you to the best of my ability! I am on Facebook, Twitter, and of course, email. Don’t hesitate to add me, follow me, or shoot me an email. I would love to get to know each of you! I look forward to meeting you in June!
Meet Your Writing Fellow
Emily Situmeang
Hey all! My name is Emily Situmeang, and I am the Writing Fellow for the course “Not Just a Pretty Picture” with Professor Rose-Curti. I will be a senior during the 2013-2014 school year. I’m a studio art major with an emphasis in photography, and I’m also minoring in marketing and social work. Along with my job as a career coach with the Simpson Career Services, I will also be the Farnham Galleries undergrad assistant next year. I never took an art class in high school – in fact, my very first art class was a photography class at Simpson. I immediately fell in love with not only art itself, but also the art faculty and my fellow art students. Because of this, I switched from mathematics to art during my sophomore year- but I still love me some calculus!
I grew up in the small town of Mount Pleasant, Iowa with my parents and my eight younger siblings. I’m very close to my siblings; they’re my best friends! Leaving them was the most difficult part of my transition to college, so feel free to talk to me at any moment about your struggles with adjusting to college life- I’d love to listen and talk to you about it.
My friends would describe me as fun, down to earth, and completely unique (an Asian with dreads…. Really?). I’m just me, love me or hate me! 
My passions include coloring, photography, movies (excluding horror and chick flicks), football, music (insert big heart here!), and making people smile. I don’t wear shoes, I always say “hiccup” after I hiccup, my favorite color changes with my current mood, and I can click a pen 445 times in one minute (scholarship material perhaps?).
Everyone deals with the college transition differently, so once again, feel free to contact me (both students and parents!) with any questions you may have! I’m on Facebook (Emily Situ) and I check my Simpson email regularly. Can’t wait to meet you!