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___________________________________________________
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!
