Scholarship & Research
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Item An unexpected feast(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2023) Madsen, Rebecca Ann; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Jim ZimpelIn this paper, I explore the connections (or disconnections) between mind and body in a Western, Judeo-Christian, Capitalist context. I will be using Cartesian Dualism as a jumping-off point from which to explore historical, sociological, and feminist writing on the roots and manifestations of the mind/body "problem". Given that my interest in these questions is rooted in my own personal experiences as an American woman raised in a rural, mostly Christian community; I will be structuring my research to reflect this context. While there are many other traditions, religions, and cultures that have much to offer this conversation of mind and body; they are far less pertinent to my work or studio practice and therefore beyond the purview of this paper. I will then discuss my work and practice as it relates to this line of study and the ways I see other artists and works addressing this theme. I hope to deepen my studio practice through this research and offer insight to my reader (and myself) about why I make what I make.Item The representation of dogs as family in contemporary American documentary film(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2010) Grace, Jennifer Elizabeth; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Ronald Tobias.The American family dog is a social construct that blurs the ontological boundaries of nature/culture dualism and which contemporary American documentary filmmakers represent by employing alternate tropes of 'dog as human' and 'dog as animal.' In filmic and practical use, these tropes are in flux and are confusing. The position of the dog as a paradox of nature and culture and member of the contemporary inter-species family makes the decision to euthanize it ethically challenging. Non-fiction dog programming is more popular than ever and most shows employ the 'dog as human' trope. But few address at what point that trope breaks down and how to find the line between 'dog as human' and 'dog as animal' when making ethical decisions for dogs. I will prove this by describing movies like Why We Love Cats and Dogs (Ellen Goosenberg Kent 2009) that rely on removed experts to explain the how humans are similar to dogs and those like Shelter Dogs (Cynthia Wade 2003) that follow devastating moments of loss with cheery depictions of renewal. My thesis film Soul Dog instead dives into the deep emotional conflict that many of us face in a society where dogs have become surrogate for family. Using personal subjective storytelling techniques like that in Sherman's March (McElwee 1986) and quirky vox pop interviews similar to those in Gates of Heaven, (Morris 1978) I focus on the personal stories and popular wisdom that influence our actions.