Description
PART 1–
Read Chapter 5, pages 129-156 in online text.
A Social Invitation.
View this video of Shirin Neshat’s work on YouTube:
Shirin Neshat created a series of works titled Women of Allah that incorporate text on photographs of Islamic women. Neshat was born and raised in Iran, and she moved to the United States to study art as well as to escape the unrest that was happening in Iran due to the Islamic Revolution. According to Neshat, the focus of her work is “the subject of women in relation to Iranian society and the revolution…” using both black and white photography as well as film. View the series Women of Allah. The text that is incorporated includes religious quotes and poetry, juxtaposing with the beautiful compositions showing disturbing images of Islamic women.
Consider social and political issues that affect you in your culture and region to make that the subject of your work.
Take a photo to provide the visual image for the idea you want to convey in your work. Print or upload to computer in black and white. Then incorporate written text to the photo in poetic, narrative, or explanatory verse to reinforce the social issue of your work.
Then tell us what type of criticism you believe people would use to view that work you created and why (listed below).
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONTEMPORARY ART CRITICISM:
Ideological criticism relates the political ideas of art.
Structuralist-based criticism deals with the overall structure of art (formal elements) or the multiple layers of meanings that deconstruct art.
Psychoanalytic criticism deals with the experiences of the individual, in their past, their subconscious mind, or in their social histories.
Feminist criticism deals with gender issues such as oppression of women.
PART 2–
Read Chapter 6, pages 158-173 in online text.
There are many different reasons artists create art. They can create for a need for their own self expression. They also create for the viewer. Needs in art may vary with time and cultural settings. Art can be created with more than one function in mind. The Functions of Art describe some of those reasons to better understand the work. These six functions relate to the general areas of daily use, delight, communicating information, public and personal expression, religion and politics.
FUNCTIONS OF ART
Art for daily Use – From ancient times to today, well designed, utilitarian objects and spaces bring pleasure and efficiency in our daily lives. Artists transform objects we use by design and redesign and/or by embellishing them.
Delight (beauty)- appreciation of beauty or decoration, or delight in an element of surprise. Aesthetics-refers to an awareness of beauty or to that quality in a work of art or other manmade or natural form which evokes a sense of elevated awareness in the viewer. Idealism or Harmony.
Communicating Information- communication between artist and viewer by means of subject matter in a language easy to understand. Storytelling, Commentary
Art for the Spirit – art to enhance religious contemplation, Worship and Ritual, Spirituality
Public and Personal Expression – something done to aid in memory, fill the profound need to remember and show respect for those who have gone before us. Commemoration, Self – Expression.
Art for Political Purposes- (gov blogs and buildings, music vids, commercials, propaganda) all meant to harness the power of art to influence action and opinion. Persuasion, Protest
There are many ways of judging the quality of art. Our assessment of quality is usually connected to other values that we hold about the function of art in society. Our preferences for art are usually connected to our other beliefs. The artist applies a process of evaluating their art when they make it. They make certain choices in materials, content or subject and execution. Then the viewer and/or art critics view the work and evaluate it’s quality and relevance. We all bring our own experiences, culture, heritage with us to view work. The term art criticism refers to making discriminating judgements, both favorable and unfavorable. We all critique work, but professional critics, who write about art, tend to follow one or more of these basic theories:
THEORIES OF ART CRITICISM:
Formal Theories – focuses attention on the composition of the work, on the originality of the work, and how it may have been influenced by earlier works or influence other artists
Contextual Theories – which consider art as a product of a culture and value system, what else was going on in the culture at that time?
Expressive Theories – which pay attention to the artist’s expression of a personality or worldview, skill level, emotional state, mindset, and gender of creator.
Look at the list of the Functions of Art and the Theories of Art Criticism. Then look at the 7 artworks provided. Pick 2 works, name them and identify their Art Function and the Theory of Art Criticism you would use to critique the work. (hint: the function will help pick the theory)
Then write a few sentences as to why you assigned that function and theory by the due date. You should research the work a bit for a better understanding.
Then respond to 2 other posts within 24 hours of due date.
Barbara Kruger, Untitled (Who Will Write the History of Tears), 1991
Gentile Bellini and Giovani Bellini, Saint Mark Preaching in Alexandria, 1504-1507
Edward Weston, Dunes Oceano, 1936
Grave Relief of Thraseas and Euandria, Greek, late 5th century BCE
Honore Daumier, Jean Jacques Fayet, Bishop of Orleans, 1849
Salvador Dali, Illuminated Pleasures, 1929
Frank Lloyd Wright, Barnsdall House, Los Angeles, 1919-1921
PART 3—
Read Chapter 4, pages 94-127 in online text.
Claude Monet was very interested in painting outside showing the effects of light during atmospheric conditions and different times of day. See more examples of Monet’s work.
Draw, paint or take photographs of the same scenetaken during different times of day (ex.-sunrise, late morning, noon, late afternoon, early evening, sunset) and during different atmospheric conditions (ex.-sunny skies, partly cloudy, foggy).
Submit at least 4 of your images to this discussion (be sure to EMBED)
ANALZE what happens with the effects of light on the colors you observe in each image you create, considering the lighting and atmospheric effects taking place.
Reply to at least 2 others within 24 hours. Compare techniques and results.
