HOW TO LOOK AT ART CRTCAL ANALYSS FRAMEWORKS nteracting with art can happen in many different ways. Here you will find suggestions for generating discussion and understanding artworks. The Frames: Subjective Frame Describe what you see in the artwork? Describe how you feel? What does it remind me of? What do others see in the piece? Structural Frame Describe the materials and techniques. Describe the elements and principles used in the composition. Describe the materials and techniques used in the creation of the work? Elaborate on how this contributes to the meaning of the work? Cultural Frame Can you tell what time period or culture the piece belongs to? Describe what the work reveals about that culture or society? What style or movement does the work belong to? Describe stylistic influences. Postmodern Frame Have any images been appropriated and re-contextualized? Elaborate on the meaning the work has today, or in the context of recent news.
Make notes about an artwork using the Frames approach. Subjective Frame Structural Frame Cultural Frame Postmodern Frame
STC Framework: S Subject Describe what you can see in the work. What is this artwork about? What themes or ideas are communicated? Can you identify any symbolism or hidden meanings in the work? s the subject matter imagined, remembered or observed? T Technique Describe all the materials, skills and techniques used to create the work. Can you describe how was work executed? nfluences Was the artist been influenced by other artists, or other art movements, or cultures? Can you identify evidence of social, political, or religious influences in the piece? C Composition Describe the composition of all the elements in the piece. Describe how elements and principles of art have been used in the composition. ntention Elaborate on any messages being communicated. Elaborate on how these messages are communicated. Describe the mood and the atmosphere created. Elaborate on why you think the artist has created the work. s there a story behind the artwork? Does the work have social or cultural importance? Does it make political statement?
Make notes about an artwork using the STC Framework. S T C
TAYLOR S CRTCAL ANALYSS Framework: MOOD (feeling or atmosphere) Does the work have an effect on you as the viewer? Does it capture or suggest a mood or feeling which you have previously experienced? Can you imagine the artist s feelings during the creation of this work? s the work quiet or loud, comforting or troubling, joyful or gloomy? What are the qualities in the work which affect me? CONTENT What is the subject matter of the work? s the subject matter communicating social, religious, moral, economic or political issues? Was the subject matter based on something that was directly observed, or was it remembered, invented or imagined? s the subject matter treated figuratively or has it been intentionally amplified, deformed or abstracted? Can you suppose why? PROCESS FORM Describe the colour scheme. s there use of contrasts? s it subtle or vivid? Does one colour predominate? s there a main overall shape or is there an series of shapes? Describe the design. Are there recurring shapes, lines, rhythms, tones or forms? Describe the variety or unity of texture. List the materials, tools, processes and techniques used by the artist. Describe the different stages that led to the completion of the work. Do you think the work was executed quickly or did it develop little by little over time? What ranges of skills were necessary to produce this piece? TAYLOR, R. & TAYLOR, D. (1990). APPROACHNG ART AND DESGN: A GUDE FOR STUDENTS. HARLOW: LONGMAN. Activity: 1. Select an artwork. 2. looking at the work, write a paragraph for each of the above points (Mood, Content, Form, Process) 3. Write an introductory paragraph, including the title, artist and brief description of size, media and date. 4. Organize your paragraphs to make a logical explanation of the work. 5. Elaborate on the meaning of the artwork. 6. Does this work contribute in some way to our understanding of the world?
FELDMAN S CRTCAL ANALYSS Framework: DESCRPTON ANALYSS NTERPRETATON JUDGEMENT Describe what you see without value or judgments. dentify the key features of the piece. What elements and principles did the artist use, and in what way, to produce the artwork. Elaborate on what the features suggest and why the artist used these features to convey his or her ideas. dentify the meaning of the work and its value in the visual arts world. Make notes about an artwork using Feldman s Critical Analysis Framework. DESCRPTON ANALYSS NTERPRETATON JUDGEMENT