Assignment

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Select a work of art that is featured in Chapter 7 of your assigned text.

• Complete the worksheet below based on the art work you have selected.

• NOTE TO HELP: See additional questions for analyzing art posted under Student Materials for this assignment.

PLEASE NOTE: Read each question and the rubric below carefully. You may use first-person ("I") where appropriate. Minimum 150 words per response except where otherwise indicated. Cite definitions and research from your assigned text, electronic readings or other peer-reviewed sources (see Instructor Policies for guidance):

Questions

Identify and briefly describe the art work you have selected. Looking at the art work in terms of the six elements of visual design (line, space, light and color, texture, pattern, and time and motion), what three elements do you think are most important for that art work? Why did you select those three elements? How did the artist incorporate the elements you chose into the art work?

Looking at the artwork in terms of the five principles of visual design - balance, emphasis/focal point, scale and proportion, repetition and rhythm, unity and variety - which principles do you think are the most important for that artwork? Why did you select these principles?

How did the artist incorporate the principles that you choose into the art work?

What do you think the artist intended to communicate through this art work? Why do you think that?

Questions to consider

• What was the artist's statement in this artwork?
• What do you think it means?
• What does it mean to you?
• How does this relate to you and your life?
• What feelings do you have when looking at this artwork?
• What do you think the artist wanted you to feel when you look at this artwork?
• Do you think there are things in this piece that represent other things?
• Why do you think that the artist chose to work in this manner and made the artistic decisions that he/she did?
• What does the artist want you to see or think about?
• If you were inside this artwork, what would you be feeling or thinking?

What is the cultural value of this art work - past and present? What does this artwork tell us about the period and culture in which it was created? Does this art work have cultural value to us today?

Questions to consider:

• What message or meaning do you think this work communicates?
• What do you think is the theme of this work?
• What is the function of this work when it was made and now (political, social, religious)?
• How does the painting convey ideas, values, sentiments or beliefs?

What is the historical value of this art work to us today? What does it tell us about the period, culture and level of technology in which it was created?

Do you think this art work qualifies as great art? Justify your answer. (100 words minimum)