Art Critique

Order Description

Instructions for Paper

1. Choose the artist from the textbook who made art after 1900… It is required that you choose a 20th or 21 century artist.  Locate one work of art in or outside of the textbook by this artist.
Book:
A World of Art (7th Edition) by Sayre, Henry M. 7th (seventh) Edition

Final Paper Grading Criteria
40 pts/ Content: Besides following the instructions here, the body of the paper should include insightful information that has been researched and restated in your own words to include information that answers questions in each section of the Art/Architecture Outline below. The Art/ Architecture Outline is required for the organization of your Paper/Project in this course.

20 pts/ Proper Citation: There should be citation in both the body of the paper and the same sources cited at the bottom of your paper. You should have at least 3 sources cited. One source can be the textbook. This paper requires “in text” or “parenthetical” citations. Check MLA writing guide for use of parenthetical citations. Note these restricted sources for citation: Pink Monkey; Wikipedia; Monarch Notes; Spark Notes; Master Plots; Cliff Notes

4 pts: Required headings: Introduction, General Description, Interpretation, Conclusion, Bibliography. Your Paper/project will be evaluated how well you incorporate information by using these headings that must be typed in the paper of as stated in Art/Architecture Outline.

4 pts: 500 words or more if you prefer. No quoted text is allowed in the paper.

2 pts/ Formatting and Proper Submission to Safe Assign: Double-spaced; Your name; artist name; title of Work of art at the top of first page and in file name. (submit in .rtf file format) I reserve the right to count papers sent the wrong way as late and grade off accordingly. Example for file name: John_Doe_Picasso_Guernica.rtf

Art/Architecture Outline

Art/Architecture Outline: This outline is a REQUIRED organizational tool and you need to use the outline to analyze a work of art. I highly recommend that you be pro-active and prepare to complete this paper at least by Lesson Six.

There are Required Headings so you need to incorporate them in your paper by typing them in:

Introduction
Description
Interpretation
Conclusion
Bibliography

What to include under each heading of the Art/Architecture Outline:

The evaluation of your paper will be based on how well your written assignments incorporate the content of each section below: Do not copy the questions into the paper but instead address them with your research.

Under the heading …

A. Introduction: Do not use statements of intent to start the paper. (Example: “I am going to discuss…so and so”.) Check MLA on this issue. Just start out by discussing the person or persons who made the art form. This is where you give the background of the artist or architect. Only relate those life experiences of the artist that relate to the work of art that you are critiquing. After all, life experiences do reflect in their art! The introduction is the only place that the focus is on the artist. After the introduction section, the rest of the paper should focus on an art object not the artist’s life. At the end of the introduction section, you should introduce the specific work of art or architecture that will be discussed in the rest of the paper.

Here is what the Introduction section should cover. Who is the artist/architect of the work that you are discussing and where DID the artist/architect live and make the art? If an individual artist name is not known, what group of artists made this art according to historical records? Was the artist part of a group of artists within an art movement? For example, Picasso worked with a group of Cubist artists in the Cubism movement of the early 20th Century or Frank Lloyd Wright was part of a movement in Architecture called “ Prairie Style.” You should define the art style and movement here also. What is the chronological time period? What environmental, historical, social/political climate did the artist make the art in? What were social/political climate of that period?) What is the title of the work of art? When was it created and where is it located now?

Under the heading…

B. Description: This section of the discussion is where you describe how the artist used design elements of line, shape, color, texture, space and the design principles of balance, focal point, rhythm, repetition, etc. in the art object or architecture. (review the Lesson Three discussion board and your “student toolkit” section in the textbook.) Don’t use this section to discuss how the art makes us feel or what it symbolizes yet. Instead this section should answer these questions in the content: Do not use this section to tell us if you like or dislike that art. The Description section is not about personal preference. Here is what the Description section should cover: (Do not copy the questions. Address the questions/topics in essay statements though.)
Describe the Art Processes:

•    What materials or medium did the artist use mostly and specifically in the work of art that you are discussing. For example, was the paint made from oils or tempera?
•    Or is the architect using granite and steel in the architecture?
•    What were the techniques employed. For example, Michelangelo used the process of one kind of fresco in his murals. Explain the processes.

Describe the Subject Matter:

•    What are some recognizable objects or figures or images of this artwork?
•    If this is a painting, can you identify the setting or scene or the background and the use of space?
•    If this is a sculpture, is the form simple or complex, rounded or angular? Is the form stylized/abstracted or representational of a form in nature?
•    If this piece of art has no recognizable objects/figures, then itemize the abstract shapes, lines, patterns that are visible.
•    Try to identify as many details as possible. Is this a landscape, still life, portrait, a form of architecture, a craft item such as a vessel or pottery, etc?

Describe the Form and Organization: You need to look for resources to help complete this section of the discussion in addition to your own observations.

•    Describe the art work by stating colors, line, texture, form, and the significance of how they relate to each other in the work of art. Be sure to point out what part of the composition is indicating these details.
•    How are lines, colors, textures, shapes, space used to create the arrangement of center of interest or focal point, balance, repetition, harmony, form?
•    Is there strong contrast of light and dark values in a painting or is there one area that is the focal point of light?
•    Walk us through the artwork as a way to scan the design choices.
•    What is repeated? Is the work of art balanced equally on both sides? (Symmetrical) or is it asymmetrically balance?
•    How do different areas of a piece relate to each other…for example, how does the background of a painting relate to the subject matter?
•    Where are forms and shapes placed in the composition?
•    In the case of architecture, in addition to the elements and principles of art, how did construction choices affect the design of the building? Walk us through the building to help the reader get a sense of the space.
•    Find out from references on the topic about why the artist or architect chose these design arrangements to communicate ideas or messages to the viewers.
•    Style: Can you detect a unique style in each of their artwork/architecture that is defined from you readings and web site research about the work of art?

Under the heading…

C. Interpretation: This section of the discussion tells the reader what possible symbolic meaning is behind the design and images in a work of art or architecture. There should be three levels of interpretation.

B sure to interpret…
(1) The Artist Intent: Try to find information about what the artist intention was in the creation of a work of art. Were there messages, emotions or ideas based on artist experiences? Be sure to consider the cultural background and history of the artist. How did a political or social climate or an era of art play into the way this artist created this particular work of art? Be sure to point out the details that suggest these meanings.

(2) Expert Opinion: an art critic or historian point of view about what messages, emotions or ideas are suggested in a work of art. Be sure to find how the expert suggests meanings that are historically, culturally, politically or socially significant. How did a political or social climate or an era of art play into the way this expert analyzes and interprets the meaning of the messages in this particular work of art? Be sure to point out the details that suggest these meanings.

(3) Your Own Reaction: Now, it is your turn! After gaining insights from one of 1 or 2, share your own point of view about what messages, emotions, or ideas are suggested in a work of art that are personal. This would include how your own personal experiences or cultural background influences your reactions to this work of art. Be sure to point out the details that suggest your reactions.

Under the heading …

D. Conclusion: This section is where you RE- emphasize the most important points that you wanted to make in your discussion. The conclusion section’s content should address these items. Here is what the Conclusion section’ should cover: Summarize what you have stated in all the other sections from the other sections by restating the most important facts and then tell us how relevant this art/architecture is today and how we should consider this piece in our world today.

Under the heading …

E. Bibliography: Cite your sources! Your paper should include at least 3 web or library sources. These sources can be textbook, web site, library books. (do not use Wikipedia or the other restricted sources listed in the syllabus.) Check MLA writing guide online for use of parenthetical citations or consult a CTC tutor. The list of sources should be cited inside the body of your paper in the exact places where you are using information from those sources even though you “restate” someone else’s published information. The MLA guidelines are found online or check with a school librarian.