Unit 1: Artwork Response Essay OverviewIntroduction
- You will write a persuasive 1000 word essay interpreting a work of art. Preferably one you can see in person in a gallery or museum. A work from the internet is acceptable, at the discretion of the instructor, if no other options are available.
- In this essay you will make a claim about what the artwork means, and then detail what evidence from the artwork supports your interpretation. In making your case, you will utilize your knowledge of artistic media and techniques, your understanding of the broad themes in art, and your vocabulary concerning the elements and principles of artistic design.
- The essay will be evaluated for academic honesty using the Turnitin software and you are expected to properly cite any paraphrasing or quotations in MLA format.
- The paper should include at least one image of the artwork being discussed. If the artwork is something not easily captured in a photograph, you should discuss how to represent it in the paper with the instructor.
- This paper is a direct demonstration of CLOs 1, 3, and 5.
Timeline of Events:
- Unit 1: Project instructions provided.
- Unit 2: Identify and submit your planned visit and chosen artwork.
- Unit 4: Museum visit complete; Tweet posted of experience.
- Unit 6: Response Essay ROUGH DRAFT Due.
- Unit 8: Response Essay Due.
Course Learning Objectives
- CLO 1: Use the specialized vocabulary of art and design to describe, both orally and in writing, their responses to art they have directly experienced.
- CLO 3: Critically respond to works of art, e.g. (Students will be able to not only know what they like but why.)
- CLO 5: Experience art directly in available local museums, galleries and architectural sites as a basis for response and critique.
DirectionsSUGGESTED: Click the links to review the readings and revisit as a resource to help with your response essay:
- Introduction to the Visual Arts
- Response Essay Reading Part 1
- Response Essay Reading Part 2
Assignments
- Your Trip to the Museum
- The Paper Itself
Your Trip to the Museum:
You will choose a single work of art from a local museum. (If you do not have access to a museum, click here to choose from 12 virtual museums. (Links to an external site.)If you must work from a photo found online, try looking for multiple views or details on multiple sites.)
Materials Needed:
- a pad of paper
- a pencil – The museum will not allow you to use a pen in the gallery.
- a few extra sheets of paper for sketching. Your sketches do not need to be professional or finished, so any blank sheet of paper will do.
- Bring a copy of the handouts linked above.
You should plan to have this visit completed by the end of week 4.
Expectations:
- Choose a work of art. The artwork you choose should have been made within the last 100 years.
- Choose a work that you feel drawn to emotionally or intellectually.
- Plan on spending a minimum of 40 minutes to an hour with the object you choose.
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- This is 40 minutes of quality looking, not discussion with a friend.
Observation Suggestions (this could take 45 minutes to 1 hour):
- Look at the object for at least 15 minutes (no notes yet).
- Think about what stands out, what ideas or emotions it gives you.
- What things seem to be important?
- Take as many notes as you can.
- Use the questions from the Handout given above to help you think about what you’re seeing.
- Take a break to walk around, stretch, get a drink.
- Look at the object again for another 15 minutes (you will be more perceptive the second time around).
- Take notes again.
- Try sketching the object. This doesn’t have to be good, but it will help you see the object more clearly.
- It is often helpful to come back another day to look again, but this is not necessary to complete the assignment, particularly if you follow my suggestions and take good notes.
