PUBLIC ART / MUSEUM ASSIGNMENT
Art 109 Modern Art
The assignment involves a close visual analysis of an
original work of art that you have
seen yourself. The work you choose must have been created during the time
period of the class (19th century through today)
DUE THE LAST DAY OF CLASS
Include the following:
1. The final paper should
be typed in ESSAY FORMAT, and should run about two pages, but could be longer
depending on the work of art you choose.
2. Include the title of the
work, artist, and date, as well as the name of the Gallery/Museum you visited.
3. Try to include a
photocopy of the work of art if available (you can take a no flash photo in
some museums or galleries, or find the image on the internet but you must
see it in person
first).
INFORMATION/QUESTIONS FOR THE PAPER:
After you have chosen
the work that you like, write down the name of the place where you viewed the
work, the artistŐs name, title of the work, date, medium, and any background
information on placards on walls or pamphlets.
Then you begin your
description of the work:
- What is the subject of the work? What
event is depicted (the title can help you, but you may need further research to
get all the details of the narrative. For now, get as much as you can through
observation).
- How is the work represented? Is it
realistic, idealized, naturalistic, stylized, abstract, non-representational,
etc?
- Is this a large or a small work? Does the
size affect the impression this work made on you?
- Then describe each and every single
detail of the work. It has to be so specific that someone who has never
seen the work can reconstruct it from your written report. In your description
discuss color, lines, shapes, what figures are portrayed, and how the overall
composition affects your impression of the work.
- What kind of texture does the work
have? Is it rough, smooth, etc. Can you see the brushstrokes? If this work had
a different texture, how would it change the 'feel' (PLEASE DON'T TOUCH AND
ONLY POINT AT ART FROM AT LEAST A FOOT AWAY) of the work?
-
How
has the artist put the composition together: what do you see in the foreground,
middle ground, and background?
-
What
types of lines are portrayed and how to they affect the overall impression of
the work (movement, stability, excitement, drama, etc.).
-
What
do you see from left to right and from top to bottom?
-
Does
the work appear 3-dimensional or 2-dimensional?
-
For
sculpture is it in the round or relief, and does that affect how your
impression of the work?
- Is what you see in the work evenly distributed
or are figures/objects/colors lumped on one side of the work?
- What colors does the artist use and how are they distributed?
- What visual impact do the colors have?
- Is there a focal point within the work? Does the artist draw your attention to a particular aspect of the work and what affect does that have on you?
- How does the artist use light in this work? Is it evenly distributed, or is it dramatic with stark contrasts between light and dark?
- Is three-dimensional perspective
shown in this work? If yes, how? If no, why not, do you think?
- Does the frame around the work make a
difference in the effect it has on you?
- Does the space where it is exhibited make a
difference in the effect it has on you?
- Where is the 'best' place to stand to see this
work? Near or far, at an angle (from the other room sometimes even gives you a
really different look). Try different heights (standing in front of it,
kneeling down).
- From what angle did the artist approach his
subject? Are you at eye-level with the subjects/objects in the work? Are you
higher or lower?
- If a woman is represented in the image, is
she done so in a favorably manner (in your opinion)
- If the work was created by a woman, is it
apparent when viewing the work (in your opinion).
- What overall impression does the work make
on you?
-
INCLUDE
A BRIEF CRITIQUE OF THE WORK, WHY YOU CHOSE IT, DO YOU FEEL THE FORMAL ELEMENTS
ENHANCE THE CONTENT, ETC.
Allow at least 45
minutes for this exercise. You will find that if you look at a work that you
like for a long time, you will see more and more things that you didn't notice
before.
Look consciously: it
means that you are alert and see with more than just your eyes. Try to 'grasp'
the work. See if you can have a dialogue with the work: you respond to it as it
responds to you.
Write down anything else
that you think is important in respect to the work you have chosen.
Almost always, you are
allowed to take a photograph of the works, as long as you don't use flash (PLEASE
RESPECT THIS RESTRICTION). Otherwise, see if you can find a postcard of the
work to take home with you to refresh your memory as you continue on your paper
or project. Sometimes you can buy a printout of the work of art. The visual
analysis must be done in the actual presence of the work you have chosen.
The final paper
should be typed, and should run about two pages. Include the title of the
work, artist, and date, as well as the Museum you visited. The last day to
turn in the paper is the day of the final exam.