Unit II, Essay II: The Analysis/Synthesis Essay brings together various sources on the same topic, summarizes the sources' content, analyzes the sources' approaches to that topic, and evaluates their arguments, evidence,

and usefulness toward crafting an argument. In Ralph Ellison's "Prologue" to The Invisible Man (1952), that narrator laments, "I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me... When they approach me they see only my surroundings, themselves, or figments of their imagination -- indeed, everything and anything except me." The Problem: According to one art historian, "Art in the Western world tends to be a very white affair" and renders cultural objects created by persons of color, "invisible." Yet, 67 years after The Invisible Man, American artist, Kehinde Wiley claimed at the unveiling of his statue, "Rumors of War" (2019), "I think that what this thing represents is not just a story about race or gender, but a story about openness....It's a story about America 2.0. The 21st century will have to be a series of yeses to moments like this." What does Wiley refer to by "moments like this?" What is "America 2.0?" The Question: In your own words, define what "America 2.0" is. What are Kehinde Wiley's painting and statue at the VMFA, Nick Cave's "Soundsuit" series, The Carter's video for "Apeshit," and Marcus-David Peters Circle (MDP Circle) doing to shape this "America 2.0?" What are they doing similarly? How do they each do that differently? What is their common critique of our current culture ("America 1.0"?) and how are they remedying it? How do these "cultural productions" echo many of the things we've read? Summarize, analyze, and synthesize four (4) of the following: 1. One of Wiley's works: "Willem van Heythuysen" OR "Rumors of War" sculpture at the VMFA 2. MDP Circle 3. One of Nick Cave's "Soundsuits" (of your choosing) 4. The Carter's "Apeshit" video 5. Frame your argument by your analysis of the primary, Biblical text, "Rumors of War" (Matthew 24:6). Requirements: Put your analysis of these "cultural productions" in relation to each other (including their analogues/originals, Frans Hals' 1625 painting, "Willem van Heythuysen Posing with a Sword," the JEB Stuart Monument, and Robert E. Lee Memorial). Include at least 3 sources of secondary research (including one peer-reviewed that you researched) to support your argument. MLA or APA format. 5-7 pages. Include 3 substantial or scholarly sources as well as a Works Cited page. Include an image (or images) of MDP Circle and a "Soundsuit" (cited).