2009年11月12日 星期四

Why write about art?

Arthur C. Danto said in "Embodied Meanings" (1994)

"Until one tries to write about it, the work of art remains a soft of aesthetic blur... After seeing the work, write about it. You cannot be satisfied for very long in simply putting down what you felt. You have to go further" (p.14)


The Function of Critical Writing:

"1. Introduce me to authors or works of which I was hitherto unaware.
2. Convince me that I have undervalued an author or a work because I had not read them carefully enough
3. Show me relations between works of different ages and cultures which I could never have seen for myself because I do not know enough and never shall.
4. Give a "reading " of a work which increases my understanding of it.
5. Throw light upon the process of artistic "Making"
6. Throw light upon the relation of art to life, to science, economics, ethics, religion etc."

by W.H. Auden, from "The Dyer's Hand" (1963) pp. 8-9

2009年11月11日 星期三

Reference Book on Art History

Some of you may find it handy to have an art history book showing you a more comprehensive picture of the world art history.

Please do let me know, if you'd like to order. We probably can order in a group and get a discount.

Here is the suggested title:
1.
(about HK$519 @ Swindon Book Shop in Hong Kong)

Author: Fred S. Kleiner

Pages: 1104 pages
  • Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing; 13 edition (January 3, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0495093076
  • ISBN-13: 978-0495093077
  • Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 9.4 x 2.2 inches


4 steps in Art Criticism 1 --- Links

on 31 Oct, we've talked about the 4 steps in art criticism:

1. Description

2. Analysis

3. Interpretation

4. Judgement

Here is a useful link on this topic: (I've also handed you the printouts last time.)

1. A Comprehensive handout on this topic by Mrs. K. Wood:

http://www.fcds.org/faculty/KWood/Visual%20Arts%20Foundations/Art%20Criticism%20handout_revision.pdf

4 Steps in Art Criticism 2 --- Sample


The following is a sample using the 4 steps.






1) FACTS:

This is an oil painting on canvas by Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) in the impressionist period. This was painted in between 1890 and 1895, and was titled as “Reading (La Lecture).”

It was painted with short and casual brushstrokes, without strong texture. The color tone of the background in general is quite cold, with a lot of fuzzy and short strokes in many different values of green and brown. The foreground mainly consists of the half body portraits of two girls in a warmer color hue. The focal point of the painting lays the faces of two girls. The girl sitting closer to the viewers is in a pale yellow dress, while the one next to her is in a pinky-orange dress. Following the gazes of the girls, a viewer can find a book at the bottom right corner. The book is held by the girl in the front. The other girl in pinky-orange has her right arm across the back of the girl in yellow, and has her left hand holding her chin.

2) ANALYSIS:

The painter has positioned the two subjects in a triangular shape, with the two faces as the top of the triangle, the book at the bottom right and the end of the hair at the bottom left as the bases of this triangle. This triangular shape, sitting in the very front, occupies almost one-third of the painting. Besides, this triangle is well balanced and symmetric. In spite of the causal brushstrokes, the girls are in good proportions and comparatively realistic. While the subjects in the foreground formulate a stable triangular shape, the brushstrokes in the background seem to be in a flowing movement. The color chosen for the background on the left-hand side is darker (mainly in dark green and brown) in order to allow the girl on the left front becomes more outstanding. In contrast, the color for the background on the right-hand side is lighter (mainly in light green and muddy yellow) in order to allow the girl over the right foreground to stand out.

3) INTERPERTATION:

With the structural composition and careful layout of the subject matters, this painting depicts a quiet moment of reading. The girls concentrate very much at what they are doing. The brighter and warmer color tone of the subject matters seems to convey a comfortable reading atmosphere. However, the two girls are not facing the light when they are reading. The light, in fact, is only shinning on the backs of the girls. Despite the comfortable atmosphere, the girls seem be trying to read in secrecy. This interesting scene perhaps reminds a lot of viewers about their childhood in which everyone probably have had some little secrets hidden from the adults around them. Many Renoir’s paintings embrace and celebrate different small moments from lives. By focusing on the ‘here and now’ of his time, Renoir has captured these fleeting moments and turned them to be nostalgic memories.

4) JUDGEMENT:

Although this painting may not be about any heroic stories, it does successfully build up a connection with the viewers in a subtle way. It reminds the viewers those interesting moments from childhood that they may have long forgotten. Besides, the painting does have a nice composition. First of all, the focal point with the girls’ faces is well organized. Following the gazes of the girls, one can find the book that is well connected with the arms and then the hair the girl in the front. The triangular shape does a nice job of keeping the viewers’ eyes looking around and around the subjects; therefore, able to build up a deeper relationship with the painting.


GuideLines on IB Visual Arts Assessment

l IB Assessment

Option A

Higher level (HLA) (240 hours)

Standard level (SLA) (150 hours)

Studio work (60%)

l Studio refers to the studio work the student selects for inclusion in the candidate record booklet. Studio work involves practical exploration and artistic production.

l External Assessment: The student prepares a selection of his or her studio work in the form of an exhibition. This is externally assessed by a visiting examiner following an interview with the student about the work.

144 hours

90 hours

Investigation workbooks (40%)

l Investigation refers to the selection of pages from the investigation workbooks for inclusion in the candidate record booklet. Investigation work involves independent contextual, visual and critical investigation and reflection, both visual and written.

l Internal Assessment: The student presents selected pages of his or her investigation workbooks that have been produced during the course. This selection is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IBO at the end of the course.

96 hours

60 hours

An Interview with External Examiner

During the interview, the examiner will encourage the student to talk about the technical aspects of the studio works, his or her own aims or intentions, and the relationship between the studio works and the investigation workbooks. The discussion should focus on the student’s experiences in making the studio works exhibited and how these relate to the investigation work undertaken. The student is not expected to make a prepared speech.

30-40 minutes

20-30 minutes

l Candidate record booklet / Visual Journal

1. The candidate record booklet must contain:

I. · a statement by the student (no more than 300 words. Describe briefly in his or her artistic growth and development throughout the course. He or she should illustrate these insights with specific examples.)

II. related to studio work and the investigation workbooks

III. · a short written comment by the teacher

IV. · a photographic record of the selected studio work

V. · A4 copies of the selected investigation workbook pages.

VI. Two additional photographs of the overall exhibition should be provided for inclusion in the candidate record booklet. The two photographs can be taken at the time of the interview. This can provide a useful record of the exhibition.

VII. The student must select carefully the stated number of copied investigation workbook pages and ensure that the work meets all the assessment criteria. It is important that the student includes pages that demonstrate how his or her investigation led to the development of some of the studio works photographed for inclusion in the candidate record booklet. The selection can include some consecutive pages. It is also important that students demonstrate evidence of:

n · their investigation and strategies for organizing its content

n · first-hand responses to such content

n · exploration of ideas both visually and in writing.


Option A

Studio 60%

External Assessment

Investigation 40%

Internal assessment

Higher level

Selection of 12-18 photographs representing the works produced


25-30 A4 size copies of workbook pages

Standard level

Selection of 812 photographs representing the works produced


1520 A4/letter-size copies of workbook pages






GuideLines on 334 Visual Arts Assessment

S4 VISUAL ARTS Assessment Guides

334 ASSESSMENT (270 hours)

COMPONENT

PART



I. Public examination

(Weighting:50%)

(Duration:4hrs)

Choose either Paper 1 or Paper 2.

Paper 1 – Visual presentation of a theme

OR

Paper 2 – Design

In each Paper, candidates are required to attempt BOTH of the following sections:

(a) Written presentation on critical appreciation of reproductions of artwork provided (10%), and

(b) Art making (40%)




II. SBA

(Weighting:50%)

Submit TWO portfolios consisting of:

(1) Research workbook (Presentations on art appreciation and criticism in context in relation to art making/critical studies, and research process)(20%); and

(2) Artwork/Critical studies (Three pieces of work in each portfolio) of a theme (30%)



All through the course of learning, students should be engaged in the following activities:

(1) Building up and keeping their visual journal;

(2) Participating in research : searching, selecting and compiling materials for broad / in-depth

studies

I. Gathering information, develop ideas and apply them to their own work;

II. Understanding the importance of planning and sequential development of ideas;

III.Learn from masterpieces the ways to express in relation to their origin, cultural background, personal inclinations etc.

(3) Participating in interactive dialogue;

(4) Developing personal views and concepts;

(5) Experimenting with ides, media and techniques;

(6) Reflecting on and adjusting their own learning.

l For each portfolio, students are encourage to:

(1) Discuss in groups and discuss with the teacher on proposed ideas,

(2) Show the idea development with reference books and pictures

(3) Show the process of thinking in used of Mind-Map

(4) Study the style and characteristics of the artwork of the famous artists

(5) Evaluate the process and the final artwork in groups before hand in to the teacher.