LESSON 3

• Motivation


  The drive or reason that causes someone to take action or behave in a certain way
• Steps to critique or evaluate an artwork


  1. Description

  2. Analysis

  3. Interpretation

  4. Judgement
• The mediums and techniques used in a work of art are not neutral or coincidental, but rather integral to the work's setting and shape how we see and respond to art to a significant extent
• Contemporary art has grown overly reliant on traditions, yet artists are experimenting with and expanding the range of artistic mediums and instruments available
• Technique


  The way in which artists use and manipulate materials to achieve the desired formal effect, and communicate the desired concept or meaning, according to their personal style
• The method is determined by the medium's particular character or nature. Stone is chiseled, wood is carved, clay is molded and moulded, metal is cast, and thread is weaved, to name a few examples
• Techniques


  • Traditional (e.g. stone carving, wood carving, clay molding, metal casting, weaving)
  • Contemporary (e.g. digital photography, filmmaking, music production, industrial design, robotics)
• The art critique is a systematic study of, or view, a work of art in the same way, there are a few simple principled assessment of a piece of art
• Steps to critiquing an artwork


  • Description
  • Analysis
  • Interpretation
  • Judgement
• Description


  Thinking of the facts about the artwork
• Guide questions for description


  • What is the title of the artwork?
  • Who is/are the artist/s?
  • When and where was it created?
  • What media/medium was used?
  • Is there a primary subject in the piece?
  • What specific elements of art can be found within this piece? (space, line, shape, form, color, value, texture)
• Analysis


  Being 100% objective in examining how the elements of art interact and which principles of design can be found
• Principles of design


  • Balance
  • Harmony
  • Variety
  • Emphasis and subordination
  • Proportion
  • Rhythm
  • Movement
• Interpretation


  Subjective and personal reflection on what the artist is trying to communicate and the thoughts/feelings evoked
• Steps in interpretation


  • What is the artist trying to communicate?
  • What thoughts or feelings come up when you see the piece?
  • Express your opinion but always back it up with evidence
• Judgement


  Combination of description, analysis and interpretation to determine if the artwork is successful or not
• Criteria for judgement


  • Do you like it and why?
  • Is the artwork effective?
  • What criteria helped you conclude your judgement?
• The different principles and steps in critiquing an artwork are helpful in producing a critical, detailed critique