Art Worksheet - Assignment Example

Art Worksheet _______________________________ This worksheet is designed to prepare you with critical skills for analyzing a visual art work. Follow the steps in this worksheet carefully and it will help you organize your thinking. In Step 1, you will analyze the art work in detail. Look and look again for things you don't see the first time. In Step 2, you interpret the work, either by telling a story about the work or telling what the work means to you in some way. You will use the details you listed in Step 1 to back up your interpretation. In Step 3, you go beyond what the work means to you and judge the work. Do you think it was successful? How does it make sense? The goal of these three steps is to understand the organization and a strategy for writing about visual art. You will also be prepared for your next assignment, when you will write about another art work for the Critical Art Essay. Where do I find an art form to write about? Here is a list of locations where you can look at visual art. When you choose an art work to write about, Remember that you must see the work in-person, and the work you choose should have been done after 1945. Wexner Center for the Arts - http://wexarts.org Columbus Museum of Art - http://columbusmuseum.org King Arts Complex - http://kingartscomplex.com Ohio State University Urban Arts Space - http://uas.osu.edu/exhibition/current Swing Space Gallery (in the Gateway Center) - http://www.columbusarts.com/orgs/7099-swing-space-gallery/ Ohio Art League (in the Gateway Center) – http://oal.org/gallery Short North Galleries and Studios – http://shortnorth.org When you get to your location, look at the art works there are choose one to write about. Make sure you choose a work you feel an affinity for, or you may find it difficult to write about it. Turn to Step 1 to start your analysis. Complete the all three (3) steps on this worksheet in MS Word and upload it to the Art Worksheet Dropbox. STEP 1 The goal for this step is to look at a work of art in detail. This skill is important because it leads to a more detailed understanding of a visual art form and provides substantial information you will use later in this work sheet. If you are allowed to take a picture of the art work at the exhibit location, please insert an image no larger than 5 inches high or wide at the end of the document. For Step 1.a and 1.b, you will analyze the art work, focusing on literally what you see. STEP 1.a Examine the art work from side to side and corner to corner. Look for parts of the work you would not have noticed at first. You might notice something new when you return to an area of the work. What we want you to write down are the aspects (or qualities) of the art. Record at least 10 aspects of the art work in the table below: Avoid naming the art work you describe. If you need a way to get started, take a few minutes to study the work. Try making a list of descriptive words, adjectives, nouns and verbs at the bottom of the page. Also try to think of different or familiar objects that you could refer to for comparison. Be specific. Avoid simple descriptions of basic colors and shapes. Instead of "green," for example, use "lima bean green" or “grass green." Describe relationships of the work with other spaces. Instead of "six inches wide" or "thirty feet high," write tall as two story house, large as a laptop, small as my cell phone, etc. These relationships help you identify context of the art work. Aspect 1 Rust as an old knife Aspect 6 Luminous as neon ads Aspect 2 Smoldering orange Aspect 7 Hot as fire Aspect 3 Radiant yellow Aspect 8 Blurred as vision of a person with cataract Aspect 4 Like the calm before the storm Aspect 9 Enigmatic as the smile of Mona Lisa Aspect 5 Painful as a shot Aspect 10 As large as life STEP 1.b From the aspects you recorded in Step 1.a, write five (5) well-developed sentences describing the work. Write about what you perceive as movement within the piece (Review the discussion of movement in your textbook). Write about relationships between elements you have described Another way to consider this assignment is how might you describe this artwork to someone who is blind? Sentence 1 The movement within this piece is achieved through blurred colors that do not have clear borders but do blend into one another Sentence 2 Rusty colors change into fire-like orange and sunny yellow – a typical “color field” of this artist Sentence 3 Here two rectangles are placed against the background that is surrounding them Sentence 4 It’s painful to watch it because colors are bright (smoldering orange and radiant yellow) and luminous as neon ads, which is achieved by color having been layered on color Sentence 5 This abstract painting is enigmatic because it is hard to say for sure what is painted, most probably some emotions, like stress, anxiety, or fear Your work from Step 1 will be evaluated with this rubric. DESCRIBE 3 PT 2 PTS 0.0 PTS TOTAL PTS Use of Rich Descriptive Language Uses words that are very descriptive using many adjectives and gives good location of where things are located in the piece. Lacks descriptive adjectives and rich language. Few indications of where things are in the piece. Uses weak descriptive language. 2 PTS 1 PTS 0.0 PTS Use of Movement Discusses how movement is utilized. lacks understanding/discussion of movement within the piece. Doesn’t adequately discuss movement. Mechanics No or few spelling errors, typos and meets stated mechanical requirements. Utilizes citation if needed. A few typos and spelling errors and lacks length and depth. Attempts to utilize citation if needed Excessive typos and errors and lack of length. Doesn’t accurately cite. Step 2 In Step 2, you are going to move beyond what you saw and described physically in an art work and focus on what type of story you can interpret from the piece. You will interpret the art work through writing a story, or narrative about it. Explain what you think is going on in the piece, and what it is about. Your story can be personal, true, fictional, fantasy, a diary or journal entry. Tell us your story using the three steps below: Step 2.a. Tell your story about the work: Enter into the piece and tell what you think is going on. Remember to describe the parts of the art work, similar to last week, that tie to the story. (At least 150 words) The rectangles with blurred borders between smoldering orange and radiant yellow were the only things his human vision could distinguish. He was walking the rusty soil of the enigmatic planet Mars, almost blind, seeing only blended luminous colors and feeling as if his eyes were cut with old knife – so painful it was to keep watching these colors. Suddenly he felt someone’s presence, a light breeze was blowing, but he still was not able to see anything but this painstaking orange and this too radiant yellow. He felt as if someone was telling him to relax and have some rest. These were not words that he was hearing but he rather knew what someone was telling him. He did not even think whether he wanted or not to close his eyes and have some sleep, but his eyes closed against his will and he fell asleep. The blurred and painful vision disappeared at last, and he felt it was good. How mistaken was he! Step 2.b. Make a brief statement of how your story relates to the piece: How does it help you understand it? Do you think other viewers would make a similar story or is yours different? (At least 100 words) My story focuses on blurred colors that a person has before his eyes. Having mentioned that the protagonist cannot see anything but the painful colors points out at the embracing and absorbing aspect of the painting, as well as its large size. Besides, the reference to colors along with pain suggests the mood and emotions it might describe: no calm or peace but rather “calm before the storm”, or fear, anxiety and a feeling of something ominous. These feelings were described with help of the story’s ending, when it gets clear that the human being who is on the planet Mars has been taken captive by Martians and will have lots of trouble. Step 2.c. Tell the title of your story: Flee from Mars Your work for Step 2 will be evaluated with this rubric: CONTEMPLATE 3 PT 2 PTS 0.0 PTS TOTAL PTS Interpretation and Contemplation Creates a story that corresponds with the visual of the piece. Demonstrates contemplation by having an insightful and creative narrative. Goes beyond just stating what can be seen in the piece. Creates a story based on the visual of the piece but lacks creative depth and contemplation beyond the physical aspects of the piece. Lacks narrative and story quality. Does not look into what the piece means through the use of narrative. 2 PTS 1 PTS 0.0 PTS Supporting Evidence Gives several examples of descriptions within the piece. Refers to one or two elements in the piece. Uses no supporting evidence. Interpretive Statement Clearly states what you think this story means and the point of the piece. Begins to state what the story and piece are specifically about but lacks clarity. Lacks interpretation of the piece. Step 3 In steps 3.a and 3.b you will determine the value of the art work to you. There are two issues you to address: 1) How is it Art? 2) Your judgment of the piece. Explain whether or not you think this work might be art, why it is art/not art, and why you like or dislike the piece. Step 3.a. How is it art? In this part of the worksheet, you are to discuss how you think the artwork you have been working with might be an art form. This is your opinion and it is up to you to explain how and why you came to such a conclusion. Think about the context of the work: Where is it displayed? How would its meaning change if it were in a different location? You need to include how location and context impact its meaning as an art form. In this section be sure to include: Which Artist and art work(s) you are discussing How is it an art? Why or why not. Because of … It’s beauty or ugliness? What it means to you? Its location/placement? Its style? (At least 150 words) I am discussing Mark Rothko’s painting “Orange & Yellow”, 1956. The size of the artwork is 231.1 x 180.3 cm. Deciding whether Rothko’s painting is a work of art, one could refer to understanding of a work of art. Let us agree that a work of art is a physical object which is either two- or three- dimensional and performs an aesthetic function, if professionally evaluated. Also, let us agree that a work of art is inseparable from an artistic movement (Gell 7). Having taken this into consideration, “Orange & Yellow” is a work of art performed by a professional artist, within the art movement of Abstract Expressionism. It is aesthetic in the way lots of art critics and laymen find it beautiful and the one that influences senses and emotions. The work is located in Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, USA. I would find it beautiful but for the depression that this work of art illuminates. Surprisingly enough, it may seem really optimistic and quite full of light at first glance, but the longer you watch, the gloomier the feeling. So, for me this is an art work, firs of all, because of its technical mastery – the way the artist wanted to convey light. However, the painting evokes mostly negative feelings like doom, sadness, and helplessness. Works Cited Gell, Alfred Art and agency: an Anthropological Theory. Clarendon Press. Print. Step 3.b. Judgment In this step, you are to discuss whether or not you like the artist/artwork and explain why you like or dislike it. You need to explain your reasoning and go beyond basic statements such as: “it’s truly beautiful,” “It caught my eye,” “It’s ugly.” Expand on your judgment and refer to specific things in the artwork, as well as your interpretation of the piece that makes you think that way about it. That is, how does all this make sense to you? In this section be sure to include: Whether or not you like the artist’s work(s). Why or why not? How do you make sense of the art form? Give specific reasoning referring back to the work(s). Did your judgment change? (At least 150 Words) I like this work of art because of its simplicity and openness to interpretation. Besides, the concept of underlying light seems quite new for me. I make sense of the art form in “Orange & Yellow” through my ability to capture the work by my mind and also understand it. Besides, I found the formal elements of this work of art successfully matching and technically well-performed. In particular, the choice of colors, shapes, and blurred lines relate to one another well. At the same time, if to judge informal characteristics, such as impression and feelings, these are quite intriguing since the painting is abstract and at first glance does not have anything to think of much. This, however, is not true. The feelings, of fear, anxiety, “no way out”, helplessness, depression, and pain are only a few negative feelings to mention as per my reaction. So my judgment is bi-fold. On the one hand, the work is technically elaborate; on the other hand it is quite pressing and hard to look at. Your Work for Step 3 will be evaluated with this rubric. JUDGMENT SOCIAL INTERACTION 2.5 PT 1.5 PTS 0.0 PTS TOTAL PTS Is it Art? Clearly states how one thinks it is art. Gives reasoning as to how and why. Discusses the way one makes sense of the work as art, or how it does not make sense. Includes location, beauty, placement, style, etc. Begins to state how a work does or does not make sense as art but does not give clear reasons why and how. Doesn’t discuss context and locations and such. No clear statement of their perceptions of the work. Doesn’t discuss how one determines this. 2.5 1.5 0.0 Judgment Clearly states that whether the artist’s work is liked or disliked. States specific reasons from the artwork(s) used to determine judgment. States if it is liked or not but doesn’t clearly state how this is determined. Lacks reference to things in the artwork for reasoning. No clear judgment given or reasoning. Now what? Congratulations, you have finished your analysis of a visual art work, your instructor will evaluate this work sheet. The feedback they give you will benefit your performance on the Critical Art Essay. When analyze your next art work for your Critical Art Paper, it might be helpful if you use a blank copy of this Art Worksheet to analyze the art work and then write your paper from the work sheet. Since it will be your second time looking at an art work, we will expect you to consider the feedback from your instructor as you make this analysis better than the first one. Read More