Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Dream Caused by the Flight of a Bee around a Pomegranate One Second Before Awakening

"Dream Caused by the Flight of a Bee around a Pomegranate One Second Before Awakening."

Salvador Dalí, 1944
Oil on wood panel
51 x 41 cm
Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid


Salvador Dali, an already famous Spanish painter arrived in the United States during 1940.  He spent eight years total in the U.S. and during his stay he took part in many projects including some in Theatre and film.  It was in 1944 that he was inspired to create the painting above.

There is obvious symbolism in this painting.  Your task is to evaluate the symbols in this painting and arrive at a conclusion as to what painting is about.  There is no right or wrong answer as long as you can back up your thoughts.  For example:  a pomegranate is known to symbolize resurrection and the hope of eternal life in Christianity.  How can you fit this with the meaning of the painting?  (7-12 sentences)  Remember to respond to at least one other classmate. 

Thursday, January 17, 2013

LOOKING AT ART: FELDMAN MODEL

Takashi Murakami
"Flower Matango (d)" 2009
Oil paint, acrylic, fiberglass and iron
10.4 x 6.8 x 8.7 feet 




























Looking at Art: Feldman Model



Name______________________________________Date_____________Per.________________


 Assignment: Research the artist above, Takashi Murakami, and his artwork the “Flower Mantango.” Complete the questions on the following pages to gather information for your 5-paragraph essay.

Art Criticism – Why Should We Do This?

The art critiquing process is a method of organizing the facts and your thoughts about a particular work of art.
Looking at art requiring us to use many types of knowledge, and it encourages us to make connections with our experience.
Virtually all cultures display some form of art or visual ornamentation.
Looking at art requires thinking!!!!


How to write a 5 Paragraph Art Criticism Essay

It will be easy to write because you have done all the work by gathering information and completing the questions in the art criticism steps defined in this packet. All you have to do is turn your information/answers into paragraph form.

1. Follow the art criticism steps starting with the credit line and ending with judgment

2. Each paragraph should be at least 8-10 sentences long

3. Introduction…paragraph one- summarize the credit line & background info

4. Paragraph two- DESCRIBE the artwork

5. Paragraph three- ANALYZE the artwork

6. Paragraph four- INTERPRET the artwork

7. Conclusion…paragraph five- JUDGE the artwork

Tips:
Write in complete sentences, use proper spelling, and grammar. Make sure the paragraphs flow together and that the information is not choppy and hard to read. Think of this as an English assignment. I will hold you to those standards.


I_n_t_r_o_d_u_c_t_o_r_y_ _P_a_r_a_g_r_a_p_h_ _

Biography of an Artist – _background information and credit line
Name of artist____________________________________________________________
Date of birth__________________Date of death____________________
Place of birth/Nationality___________________________________________________

More info on Murakami can be found at: http://www.moca.org/murakami/


1. What kind of artwork is this artist known for? (painting, sculpture, architecture, ceramics, etc.)

2. Did the artist work in more than one style? If so, which ones?

3. How have experts described the artist’s most important style of work?

4. What were you able to discover about the artist’s family or childhood?

5. What kind of education or schooling did the artist receive in art and other subjects?

6. What other events, circumstances or influences were important in the artist’s development?

7. Describe some of the most important accomplishments of this artist.

8. What do you find most interesting about the artist’s life or work? Why?

The Credit Line: informational facts that provide clues about the artwork. The credit line usually appears below the artwork in a book, magazine, poster or on the Internet.
Artist’s name_____________________________________________Nationality______________________
Dates (born-died)_____________________Title of the artwork____________________________________
Date of the artwork__________________Media________________________________________________
Dimensions_____________________Present location of artwork_________________________________


2nd Paragraph

The Description Step
In this step you will:
1. Identify/describe recognizable objects and subject matter
2. Describe how the artist used the art materials to create this artwork
3. Describe the qualities of line, shape/form, texture, color, space, etc.
4. LIST FACTS ONLY, NO OPINIONS ABOUT THE ARTWORK!

List the subject matter you see:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Describe how the artist used the following elements of art to create this artwork:
Color-
Line-
Space-
Value-
Shape-
Texture-
Form-


3rd Paragraph

The Analysis Step
In this step you will answer the question, “how is this artwork organized?” Artists use the principles of design to organize the elements of art within their artwork. It is important to remember that not every principle of design will be used in every artwork!
Identify how the artist created/used:

Rhythm:
Movement:
Contrast:
Unity:
Pattern:
Emphasis:
Balance:

Answer the following:

1. Identify the kind of balance used?

2. Talk about how your eye moves across the artwork (movement).

3. Where is the focal point (emphasis)?

4. Are there any noticeable patterns? If so, how were they created?

5. Does the artwork feel like everything belongs together (unity) or does the artwork feel chaotic?

6. Are there any contrasts (opposites) in this artwork? For example: lights & darks, geometric & organic shapes, small & big shapes, rough & smooth surfaces/textures?


4th Paragraph

Interpretation Step
In this step you will ask yourself “what does this artwork say to me” or what was the artist trying to tell the viewer”. You can make educated guesses and inferences. You must be able to express yourself intelligently using words that explain why you feel the mood or meaning of the artwork is ___________. Use the information you gathered in the description step and analysis step to help you.

What story is this artwork telling?


What do you think the artist is trying to say by creating this artwork?



How does the artwork make you feel?

What mood does the artwork express? Why, how?


Are there any shapes or objects that could be symbols for something else or have hidden meanings?


How is the artwork related to other ideas or events you are familiar with?



Conclusion Paragraph

The Judgment Step

Judgment: This is your opinion about the artwork. Base it on one of the following theories:

ALWAYS SUPPORT YOUR JUDGMENT WITH EVIDENCE FROM WITHIN THE ARTWORK!!! Use the information you gathered in all previous steps.

Imitative: the artist tired to accurately describe the subject matter

Formalism: the artist tried to experiment with the elements and principles of design

Emotionalism: the artist tried to emphasize moods or symbols

Functionalism: the artist intended the artwork to be useful, for educational, religious, work purposes

Choose one of the above theories for judging (liking/disliking) your selected artwork and explain in a paragraph why you selected the one you did.
Try answering the following questions as well:

1.     Who would appreciate this artwork?




2.     How do you judge the craftsmanship/quality of this artwork?





3.     Ask yourself “is this a successful work of art?” Justify your reasoning.


YOU WILL BE EVALUATED USING THE FOLLOWING RUBRIC.


Ánimo Watts College Preparatory Academy

Performance Scale


Level of Understanding

Rubric Score

Letter Grade

Student Performance  
4
Advanced Understanding
(Advanced)

Score 4.0

A
(90%-100%)
I have answered all four sections of the Feldman Model within my research paper thoroughly and intelligently and have also added facts, opinions, and history relevant to the painting in question.  In paper citations are in proper format as is the works cited page.
3
Proficient Understanding
(Proficient)

Score 3.0

B
(79%-89%)
I have satisfactorily answered all four sections of the Feldman Model within my research paper and have also added some facts, opinions, and history relevant to the painting in question.  In paper citations have very little errors as with the works cited page.
2
Developing Understanding
(Basic)

Score 2.0

C
(68%-78%)
I have attempted to answer all four sections of the Feldman Model within my research paper and have also added few facts, opinions, and history relevant to the painting in question.  In paper citations have notable errors as with the works cited page.
1
Beginning Understanding
(Below Basic)

Score 1.0

D
(57% - 67%)
I have attempted to answer some of the four sections of the Feldman Model within my research paper and have also added very little facts, opinions, and history relevant to the painting in question.  In paper citations have many errors as with the works cited page.
O
No Understanding
(Far Below Basic)
Score 0.0
F
(46%-56%)
I have done very little to complete this writing assignment.





DUE FEB. 4TH AND 5TH.  NO LATE PAPERS WILL 

ACCEPTED!