Augusta Savage was a key figure of the Harlem Renaissance, and she made sculptures mainly using plaster and bronze, typically because her lack of finances limited her ability to cast in permanent materials. One of her most well-known works, The Harp, made in 1939, at first was made of plaster and designed for the 1939 New York World’s Fair. The sculpture showcases a group of figures arranged in the shape of a harp, with a younger boy kneeling at the base, acting as a foot pedal. The figures all have smooth, vertical forms which gives off a sense of unity and movement, bringing the viewer's eyes more upward. Savage’s focus on facial expressions and body language adds emotion, making the figures appear stoic yet uplifting.

In terms of design, The Harp effectively uses repetition and rhythm, as the figures are arranged in a way that mimics the strings of a harp, creating harmony and balance. The verticality of the piece emphasizes aspiration and upliftment, while the contrast between the solid base and the delicate, stretched forms above enhances stability and movement. Symbolically, the sculpture reflects the power of African American spirituals and their role in resilience and cultural identity. Interpreting The Harp through a historical lens, it can be seen as a tribute to the struggles and triumphs of Black artists and musicians. Despite her talent, Savage faced systemic racism and financial struggles, preventing her from preserving many of her works. In my judgment, The Harp is a masterpiece that successfully combines strong artistic principles with deep historical meaning, making it an invaluable contribution to American art.

For this assignment, I wasn't present but here is my makeup writing:

You can make dye using everyday ingredients like vegetables, fruits, and spices. For example, you can use onion skins for yellow dye, beetroot for pink or red, and turmeric for a bright yellow color. First, chop the ingredients and boil them in water to release the color. Then, strain the liquid and dip fabric or paper into it. You can even try mixing different ingredients to create new colors.

An experiment you could do is dyeing paper with beetroot juice and see how different times of soaking affect the color intensity. You can try adding salt to see if it makes the color more vibrant or changes the hue. This experiment connects art and chemistry because you’re using the chemistry of natural pigments to create art. It shows how chemicals in plants can produce different colors, and how artists can control these reactions to make unique designs.

In this project, I combined both art and chemistry by using my art to display an element from the periodic table. I learned much more about my element, potassium, and the many ways that it is used. I drew out the ways potassium is used, and displayed how it works. My artwork used many different shapes and lines, with my element symbol in the middle. Surrounding it were the different uses and mechanisms.  Some of the principles of design in my work were white space, lines, and emphasis. Despite my attempt to use these things to finish my drawing, I think I made some of the placement look disorganized and haphazardly placed, even though I tried to put thought into it..

Many things have shaped the periodic table through scientific discoveries in the past. For example, advances in technology greatly contributed to scientific discoveries, and the discovery of new elements. Similarly, improvements in education and learning have led to more scientific advances. Finally, because a lot of the scientific community were white men, the contributions of women and people of color were often overlooked. If more people's voices and discoveries were heard, we could have discovered elements faster- or new elements altogether.