Choose a Twentieth Century Visual Artist (born between 1900 – 1999) and write a research paper that formally analyzes a work of art by the artist.
This artist may work with any of the following mediums: Painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, architecture, video or installation art. If you are not sure if the artist you have chosen meets the requirements please contact me for approval.
The paper must be between 3 – 6 pages double spaced (12pt font). You are required to use a minimum of 2 sources other than your your textbook. (you will have a minimum of 3 sources including your text book) Wikipedia is not an acceptable online source. For acceptable online sources please see the Other Resources link on the left side of the page.
Since this paper is a Formal analysis as state above, the emphasis of your paper should be the work of art instead of the biographical sketch of the artist. Your Paper/project should take on a scholarly and analytical approach to the work of art. Personal opinion must be sacrificed (the likes and dislikes of art). The art critique should show that your understandings are based on research that you have done using authoritative sources to support the analysis that adds to your understanding before you came into this course.
Avoid generalizations such as the clich Art is in the eye of the beholder. Delving into the structure of the artwork or architecture gives a more in-depth understanding of the work and that means that you need to get outside sources from reputable art books or web sites before you come to conclusions.
Quotations: NO MORE THAN 5% QUOTED TEXT IS ALLOWED in the paper.
The assignments will require the use of parenthetically cited sources. Here is a good online guide that gives examples of how to incorporate parenthetical citations into your written work.
The Owl at Purdue:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/
Retrieved 12/14/2009
NOTE: **You must include an image of the art work you you choose to critique in your paper. If you can not attach an image you must include a working link to a website with an image of the work.** Do not use any work of art that is used as an example in this course**
Here is a suggested outline for your paper:
Introduction:
The introduction is the only place that the focus is on the artist. After the introduction section, the rest of the paper should focus on an art object not the artist life. At the end of the introduction section, you should introduce the specific work of art or architecture that will be discussed in the rest of the paper
Description/ Analysis:
Dont use this section to discuss how the art makes us feel or what it symbolizes. This is where you will describe the work and then discuss how the artist uses the elements of art and the principles of design.
Interpretation:
This section of the discussion tells the reader what possible symbolic meaning is behind the design and images in a work of art or architecture.
Here is where you can discuss what ideas or feelings that the artist was trying to communicate. Is there a theme such as mythology, spiritual art, a theme of everyday record, heroism, etc? Does this work of art have a political, cultural, or social message according to what you have researched about the work of art? For example, does an ancient artifact have any ritual significance? To interpret a work of art may also include discussion about the expressive part of the art. For example: Van Gogh has used the repetitive brushstrokes to suggest tension in the composition. The mood of the
painting is enhanced by the dominate use of blues and greens to suggest “calmness.†You can give some of your own ideas here as to what the artwork expresses emotions BUT that needs to be in addition to research from art references on the topic. Do not use first person in this section or any other place in the discussion. For example, do not use phrases like think
Conclusion:
This section is where you RE- emphasize the most important points that you wanted to make in your discussion. The conclusion section content should address these items.
Here is what the Conclusion section should cover: Summarize what you have stated in all the other sections from the other sections by restating the most important facts and then tell us how relevant this art/architecture is today and how we should consider this piece in our world today.
Bibliography:
Cite your sources!
Paper/Project Evaluation Criteria
25 Points Total
22 pts/ Content: The body of the paper should include insightful information that has been researched and restated in your own words to include information that answers questions in each section of the Art/architecture Outline below. These sections are: Introduction, General Description / Analysis, Interpretation, and Conclusion as stated in The Art/Architecture Outline above.
3 pts = Proper Citation: There should be both Parenthetical citations within the body of the paper and the same sources cited at the bottom of your paper. Check MLA writing guide for use of parenthetical citations. Note these restricted sources for citation in the Important Announcements.
Pink Monkey
Wikipedia
Monarch Notes
Spark Notes
Master Plots
Cliff Notes
Im useing textbook (A World of ART) by Henry M. Sayre 6th Edition
