Do Now 1. Get out something to write with and one sheet of paper. 2. Put your name at the top of your paper. 3. List 3 ways you use criticism in your daily life.
Critical Response in Art
Criticism Why is criticism an important tool to learn? When do we use criticism or critical thinking in our daily lives?
Criticism is used to Analyze Respond
Purpose of Criticism CRITICAL ANALYSIS the process of examining and discussing the effective uses of specific aspects of works in the arts CRITICAL RESPNSE the act or process of describing and evaluating the media, processes and meanings of works in the arts and making comparative judgments
Types of Criticism Contextual Formal Intuitive
Contextual Criticism discussion and evaluation with consideration of factors surrounding the origin and heritage to works in the arts and humanities.
When examining work contextually ask yourself How well does the work address the assignment in the context of our class explorations? R What was happening in the world at the time the art was made? How does this give context or add meaning to the work.
For example Dorothea Lange American, 1895-1965 Depression-Era documentary photographer.
Formal Criticism discussion and evaluation of the elements and principles essential to works in the arts and humanities.
Formal Criticism Elements color form shape line space texture value. Principles balance contrast emphasis/focal point movement/rhythm proportion/scale repetition unity/harmony
When examining work formally ask yourself Which elements/principles of art are present in the work and how do they function?
For example Man Ray (Emmanuel Radnitzky) Rayograph 1923
Intuitive Criticism discussion and evaluation of one s subjective insight to works in the arts and humanities.
When examining work intuitively ask yourself What is your instinctive or gut reaction to the work AND why?
For Example Abelardo Morell Manhattan View Looking South in Large Room Camera bscura 1996
PHTGRAPHER F THE WEEK Critically analyze and respond to a photographer utilizing the three types of criticism. REQUIREMENTS: 1 entry per week (7 total at end of MP) 15 points per entry 3 paragraphs total Contextual Formal Intuitive Hand written Independent Classwork do not copy ideas from classmates or the internet or you will receive a ZER for plagiarism as outlined in student handbook.
Criticism Anna Atkins (English, 1799-1871) From Botany Collection Anna Atkins did not create photograms for art like Man Ray. Atkins created photograms of plants for informational purposes. Atkins used the photogram process, which we learned about in class, as a way to document plant life rather than drawing each organism by hand. Photograms are a camera-less printing process where you put an object on light sensitive paper and expose it to light. The difference between Atkins work and our photograms is that hers are blue because she printed with cyan, this kind of print is called a cyanotype.
Criticism Man Ray (American, 1890-1976) Rayograph, 1926 Man Ray s photogram pictured to the left uses a variety of objects to make an abstract composition. This specific example looks like a spiral with negative space around the outside that gives the illusion of form. The emphasis is on the white circle shape in the middle, which is the focal point. verall it is a well balanced composition with a full range of values that move the eye around the print.
Criticism Martha Madigan (American, 1950 - ) Aestas (Goddess of Summer), 2000 I am drawn to Martha Madigan s work because of the range of values and the crisp shapes she is able to achieve in her photograms. I do not completely understand how she got the shape of the person to show up with a white outline, but that is what keeps me looking at the print. The white outline emphasizes the form of the person (focal point). I love the way the hair mimics the movement of the grass and natural objects. verall, this print really captures my attention because of the subject matter and the expert printing.
n a piece of notebook paper please re-do your entry from last week using the same examples. You must follow the guidelines specified. Please remember this is an independent assignment. D NT CPY ideas from classmates or the internet or you will receive a ZER for plagiarism as outlined in student handbook.