The 4 Step Critique This method of critique is based on the formal critique methods of Edmund Burke Feldman. Below the steps are defined and an example is given. Criticism is intended to give a work of art a way to evaluate the work and is meant to get the viewer more involved with the piece. It follows these steps: The Informal Part of Criticism Initial reaction. This is an internal emotion that should not be formalized at this point. In fact you should find a way to put this feeling aside in order to conduct a thorough investigation of the work. You often hear I like it. or I hate it. comments. Sometimes this reaction will be to simply pass the image by to look at another. The Formal Part of Criticism 1. Description: Begin by observing the picture and describe what you see. Make a list of objective observations. It s a visual inventory of what you see. No conclusions. No assumptions. Note obvious technical qualities. Describe what you see in the art work (trees, people, shapes, colors lines etc. Use your identification skills; DON T guess if you are not sure. Make your descriptions all observable facts. Go slowly through this process so you do not miss any details. 2. Analysis: Take your list and look for relationships. Compare things that you see. Look for similarities and differences. Focus on how the elements and principles have been used to organize the work. This is a clue-collecting step, no guesses. Study in detail, how the elements and principles were used. How have the principles organized the elements? Cite specific examples from the artwork. Analyze how the elements are put together. This step helps you discover how the artist created any moods, messages or ideas in the work. Use the vocabulary of art to analyze the artwork. Create an outline to help you organize your information. Elements of Art: Line Shape Space Color - Texture - Value - Form Principles of Design: Balance - Emphasis - Contrast - Rhythm & Movement - Pattern Variety - Unity - Harmony - Proportion - Scale
3. Interpretation: What is the artist saying? Offer a hypotheses for the relationships that you discovered. Offer up a brainstorm of possibilities for what the artwork means, why the artist created it and what the viewer should derive from it. Using the information you gathered in steps 1 and 2, explain what your discoveries tell you the artwork or artist is trying to communicate. What is the meaning or mood being told through the artwork? Form a Hypotheses - Make a guess about the meaning of the artwork. a. What do the elements and principles tell you about the artwork s meaning, mood or intent? Each interpretation will be different because you each have different life experiences that influence you. Use expressive descriptive language, e.g. softly, bold, bright, b. Questions to think about during this process: i. What do you think the artwork is about? ii. Why do you think that? iii. How does the artwork make you feel? Remind you of? 4. Step 4 Judgment Is this a successful piece of art? a. This is an argumentative style paragraph that cites references from the piece and uses the appropriate vocabulary of art and theories of art to express your opinion about the success of the work. b. Your opinion is based however on what you discovered in the description, analysis and interpretation. You must be able to back up your opinion and cite your evidence using the language of art. c. This is a carefully thought out decision in which you make a personal decision about an artwork's success or lack of success (NOT like or dislike), preparing reasons to support your judgment. d. Context: Is the work successful based on the context in which it was produced? For example, the piece below was considered to be produced within the context of impressionistic and expressionist art. Sometimes, you would evaluate a piece within a historical context. For example, during a particular period a time a specific technique, material, or equipment might have been used and it may affect the judgment. Cite any context that may impact your judgment about the piece. e. Judgments should be addressed from the perspective of the different Theories of Art. (Imitationalism, Formalism, Emotionalism, Functionalism) i. Identify which criteria you are using for judgment ii. Cite Evidence (give reasons) f. State you conclusions I do not think this work is well designed because.. or I think this work is excellent because i. Do the design qualities, elements and principles make the work successful or not? ii. Is the work well organized? iii. How does the realism or lack of realism affect the work?
EXAMPLE OF A CRITIQUE: Description: (Include the following at minimum Title, Artist, Medium) Title: Starry Night, Artist: Vincent Van Gogh, Year: 1832, Size: 29 x 36.25 ; Medium: Oil on Canvas Description: I see a large cypress tree in the foreground. The majority of the picture plane is occupied by an evening sky. There are many stars in the sky. There is a village behind the cypress tree. Etc.. Analysis: Example: The night sky is dark blue. The sky is filled with vibrant yellow stars. The pattern of the stars moves the viewer s eye back and forth through the painting. The small buildings of the village have small glowing yellow lights which mimic the color found in the stars; this repetition of the yellow creates harmony helping unify the picture. The image is made up of short brush strokes that create a heavy actual texture. Etc Interpretation: I think that the artist is trying to convey a connection between a sleepy peaceful mood and the quietness of the little town found behind the cypress tree. In contrast the movement of the night sky is exciting and is dotted with bright yellow stars etc. Evaluation: I think this work is successful because it is wonderfully organized making it visually interesting. The cypress tree in the middle-ground has a powerful presence that grabs the viewers attention. The stars in the dark blue sky twinkle and dance across the surface of the painting creating steps to follow like musical notes. The visual tempo of the picture is intriguing; the image successfully combines the fast rhythm of the short choppy brush strokes and slower rhythm with gently swirling stars. This picture reminds me of a peaceful late night spent looking up at the stars. The piece was produced within the historical context of the rise of impressionism and expressionism as evidenced by the swirling, choppy brushstrokes. Etc.
Extra Credit Exhibit Review Form Competency Level: Judgement/Evalaution Student Name: Date: Artist Name: Exhibit Dates: Gallery/Exhibit Info: Phone #: For this assignment you will describe in great detail the images you select. You need to describe the formal qualities of the work their use of the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. You must describe it so well that I have a mental picture of the subject from your description. Write using complete sentences. Be very detailed. You will select your two favorite images and write about them on the pages that follow. Describe the type of work on exhibit: Verification Required: Gallery Representative: Gallery Representative: Time in Time out Collect any brochures or written information on the exhibit. Look for reviews of the show in the newspaper and attach it to this form.
Student Name: Period Date: Artist Name: Exhibit Dates: Gallery: Phone #: Title (#1) Medium: Description: Describe the image to me (remember I can't see it). Create a visual inventory make a list, no conclusions, no assumptions. Discuss the technical qualities of the image. Analysis: Take a look at your list & look for relationships. Compare things that you see. Look for similarities and differences. Reference the Elements of Art and Principles of Design and Composition Techniques.
Student Name: Period: Artist Name: Title Interpretation: Discuss possible meanings and messages within the image. Offer a hypotheses for the relationships that you discovered. What is the artist trying to communicate? What should the viewer derive from it? Judgment: Based on your assumptions from the interpretation, make a statement or offer your opinion about the success of the work of art. Identify the aesthetic theory the work falls into (Formalism, Imitationalism, Emotionalism, Functionalism). Cite the context in which it was produced and any affect it has on the work. Defend your opinion with evidence based on the piece using appropriate terminology and artistic vocabulary.
Student Name: Period Date: Artist Name: Exhibit Dates: Gallery: Phone #: Title (#2) Medium: Description: Describe the image to me (remember I can't see it). Create a visual inventory make a list, no conclusions, no assumptions. Discuss the technical qualities of the image. Analysis: Take a look at your list & look for relationships. Compare things that you see. Look for similarities and differences. Reference the Elements of Art and Principles of Design and Composition Techniques.
Student Name: Period: Artist Name: Title Interpretation: Discuss possible meanings and messages within the image. Offer a hypotheses for the relationships that you discovered. What is the artist trying to communicate? What should the viewer derive from it? Judgment: Based on your assumptions from the interpretation, make a statement or offer your opinion about the success of the work of art. Identify the aesthetic theory the work falls into (Formalism, Imitationalism, Emotionalism, Functionalism). Cite the context in which it was produced and any affect it has on the work. Defend your opinion with evidence based on the piece using appropriate terminology and artistic vocabulary.