Papers must be written n Chicago-Turban bibliography style and include a title page, footnotes, and a bibliography consisting of at least three scholarly sources other than the class textbook. Textbooks, encyclopedias, and dictionaries are generally considered sources of general knowledge, Websites are generally not considered scholarly sources. Scholarly sources (books and journals, etc. ) can be located through the library’s website and Galileo, All pages must be numbered with the exception tot the title page.
Papers must be double spaced and typed in 12 point Times Roman font, The title page, notes, and bibliography are in addition to the four lull pages of typed text. You may tint Turban’s Quick Guide on the web at: Part II: Present your paper to the class, presentations must include a visual component (Powering, Prize etc. ). Limit your slides to a maximum of 3. All Overprints will be copied to the classroom computer before presentations start with a flash drive.
Be sure to demonstrate a familiarity with your research and be prepared for some feedback and/or questions from your classmates. Don’t just read your paper out loud, but know your research well enough to talk directly to the class about it. Keep your presentation under S minutes. Structure of the Paper Using the 4 Steps of Art Criticism I. Describe-Totally Objective! Ask yourself: N/hat do I see? ” This step describes form. Description is the first step in art criticism. Make a list of all the things see in the work Takeout time and be objective.
Give only the facts, Don’t make guesses about what you see. Interpretation comes later. Begin your description with the title, artist, size of the work, and the medium used, If there are figures, describe what they look like, what thefts wearing, what thefts doing, and the interaction of the figures n relation to each other and objects within the composition. Are the people male or female? It there are objects, landscape, or architectural elements within the composition describe those things as well. You might even enlist a friend to test your description.
Have a friend (who has not seen the actual work) read your description, and ask him/her to roughly sketch what you’ve described; does it look anything like the work? If so, you’ve probably written a good description. 2. Analyze-Also Totally objective!! Analysis also involves description, but it is a different kind Of description. This mime you will describe how the artist has used visual elements and principles Of design. Observe and describe the use Of VISUAL ELEMENTS such as color, line, shape, texture, value, mass, space, time, motion, and degree and method of abstraction.
Observe and describe the PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN in the composition such as unity, variety. Balance, emphasis, subordination, implied line, contrast, repetition, rhythm, scale, and proportion. How are the figures arranged within the composition? Is any specific figure the focal point? How do you know that figure is the focal point? Does the arrangement of objects create nines or implied lines that act as directional forces emphasizing that figure as the focal point? Do color or value contrasts create emphasis on that figure as the focal point?
How? How do repetition of shapes, textures, and colors create unity, fragmentation, eye movement, emphasis, etc.? 3. Interpret-subjective! This step describes content, Ask yourself the following two questions: “What is happening? ” and ‘What is the artist trying to say? ” Interpretation can sometimes be difficult because you may be incorrect. Be brave, but back up your assertions with your observations from the previous two steps. Also, use your own experience and common sense to make educated guesses about what the facts of the piece mean.
What is the artist trying to say about the subject matter (beyond the obvious)? Everyone is probably familiar with the painting Of dog’s playing cards by Coolidge, so let’s use that for an example. The subject matter can be interpreted in a number of ways beyond the Obvious. Perhaps the subject is not simply dogs behaving like humans, but rather a pun on how humans behave irreverently and engage in less than reputable behavior (like stray animals). How could you support this claim? This is where you use your intelligence and imagination.
Make statements about the subtle interactions of the figures, how mood is created through previously described visual elements and design, and objects that can have symbolic meaning. Remember that you can’t simply state your feelings or interpretations; you must interpret the content and back it up by observation. Your interpretation will likely fall into one of these categories: expressive, contextual and/or formal. 4. Decision/judgment This step uses reflections on the first three steps plus your research to assert an pinion, Ask yourself: “Is the work successful? Use your discoveries from your research and how they support or refute your formal, contextual (social,’cultural), and/or expressive theories gore example you may pick a work that you have interpreted as a an expression of personal anger, so you might do research on the artist biography or their own writings to see puffy find evidence of their anger and what situations gave rise to that anger. Or you may interpret a work as being a about an expression of the need for social justice at a time when there was little freedom for a certain population.
Your research may support or refute your interpretation and that is fine. Be honest about your findings and realizations. It is here that you should include any research done on the work. Make sure to cite your sources in a footnote. Example footnote entry: 1. Charles Smith, Reflections on Modern Art (London: Oxford Publishing, 1999), Formal Theories: Formalists value innovation above all. This theory involves a discussion of how the visual elements and principles of design create a visual experience and illustrate the subject matter.
How is the approach to materials and techniques or object differing from what came before? How did the artist influence what came after? Contextual (Socio-Cultural) Theories: Conceptualizes look first at the environmental influences on a work of art. These environmental influences include the economic system, cultural values, or politics of the time and place of which the work sis product. Contextual theories are about work that communicates cultural values or expresses resistance to them. Expressive Theories: Expressive theories are sometimes called empathetic theories.
These are artist centered theories. Expressive theories involve close examination of the artist’s skill level, personal intent, mental State, gender, race, and mindset. Critics using expressive theories are likely to favor work that expresses powerful personal meanings, insight, or concern. 5. Submitting the Final Draft Page Order: a. Title Page b. Text Body d. Bibliography a) Add a title page with the following information (note: there is no page number on the title page): b) Assemble the parts you’ve completed in the first four steps (describe, analyze, interpret, and decide/judge).
Refine the body of the text. Add a short conclusion. The conclusion should reflect on the findings of the four steps and assert how your judgment is rational. Make sure that you watch transitions between paragraphs. Transitions refer to how one paragraph leads into or Stems from another. The last sentence of a paragraph should be related to the first sentence Of the following paragraph. Make sure your citations are properly formatted in footnotes and that the numbering of purr illustrations is consecutive in the text. C) Add a bibliography. List any sources cited or consulted for research.
Make sure that you are only using scholarly sources (peer reviewed). No websites’!!!!!!! Use books and/or journals. Refer to Turban (see references below) for formatting. Label the top of the page BIBLIOGRAPHY and continue with pagination in the upper right hand corner. Sample bibliographic entry: Smith, Charles. Reflections on Modern Art. London: Oxford Publishing, 1999. 6. Submit your Final Paper Edit your draft and proofread! This is the time to polish the gem. Pay attention to grammar and punctuation. Make sure that sentences read as concisely as possible.
