arts analysis
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11.rtfWe have explored several methods of interpretation, including:
Iconography
Iconology
Semiotics
Formal Analysis
Stylistic Analysis
Economic Determinism
Marxism
Postcolonial Theory
Gender Analysis
Women's Studies
Ecocriticism
Environmental Studies
ESSAY PROMPT:
Choose TWO of these methods to compare as you answer the following question:
How do methods of interpretation help us understand the production, function, and meaning of works of art?
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Note: "Production" refers to how art is made. "Function" refers to why art is made.
Below is an example of how you might begin to think about this essay prompt.
If I was a student in our class and I wanted to compare economic determinism and gender analysis, I might ask myself the following:
In our Topic 8 presentation we explored Lorna Simpson's Waterbearer through the lens of economic determinism. How might a student who uses gender analysis interpret Waterbearer differently than a student who uses economic determinism as their method of interpretation?
In our Topic 9 presentation we considered Cindy Sherman's Untitled Film Still #48 from the standpoint of gender analysis. A point for discussion of this work is the fact the artist used herself as a model. Since hiring models is expensive (even Artemisia Gentileschi, the seventeenth-century painter, complained about the cost of paying models), how might the method of economic determinism be used to explore the production of Cindy Sherman's work?
What is the function of Waterbearer, that is, why do you think the artist made it? How does economic determinism or gender analysis help us understand its function? What is the function of Untitled Film Still #48, that is, why do you think the artist made it? How does economic determinism or gender analysis help us understand its function?
What works of art explored in topics 6, 7, or 10 seems like good candidates to explore with gender analysis or economic determinism, and why?
Next, GO TO STEP 2.
Each of our writing assignments in ARTS 1A is a skills-building exercises.
The goal is to help you understand how to write your own history of art by analyzing sources.
The art, documents, technique videos, and readings posted in the ARTS 1A modules comprise the sources you need to complete your final exam. See below:
Choose five works of art from Topics 6 through 10
Choose at least one primary source document from Topics 6 through 10
Choose at least one technique video from Topics 6 through 10
Choose at least one econdary source reading from Topics 6 through 10.
Avoid doing online or library research to complete this essay. (Doing research will not earn you points.) Instead, build on the skills you are learning each week as you analyze art, documents, technique videos, and readings.
Next, GO TO STEP 3.
The Final Exam is worth 40 points.
Study the grading rubric below:
Up to 5 points: Introduction*
Up to 5 points: Conclusion*
Up to 15 points: Detailed analysis of five or more works of art discussed in class
Up to 3 points: Use of one or more Documents discussed in class
Up to 3 points: Use of one or more Spotlight on Technique videos discussed in class
Up to 3 points: Use of one or more Reading Exercises discussed in class
Up to 3 points: Clarity
Up to 3 points: Thoroughness
Total: 40 points
*Pay special attention to the fact that you will be awarded points up to 5 points for your introduction and up to 5 points for your conclusion. To acquire these points you should investigate the section "When writing an Introduction and Conclusion to an academic essay" in Step 4.
Next, GO TO STEP 4.
2. When writing an Introduction and Conclusion to an academic essay, consider that:
Simplicity is key.
Do not make big, sweeping statements about art or history. Instead, focus on introducing and concluding your own ideas.
For your introduction, clearly state your goals for the essay (“I intend to explore . . .”). Or you may wish to raise questions you will address in your essay.
For your conclusion, summarize what you accomplished (“In this essay I analyzed . . .”). Or you may articulate further questions you feel inspired to explore about your topic at a later time.
3. Write about each work of art in detail. Describe its visual aspects and include the title of the work and the name of the artist.
4. As you write about documents, technique videos, and readings, quote from them directly and call attention to your thinking process, explaining why you chose to use them. Integrate your analysis of works of art with the documents, technique videos, and readings you choose.
5. Write in your own voice and from your own perspective. Write an essay that only you can write. Use the pronoun “I".
6. Any uncredited ideas you borrow from other writers will result in an F grade on your Final Essay. So be careful: if you use any resources from outside our class modules, you need to call attention to them with footnotes and provide a bibliography. You do not need to use resources from outside our class modules because this is not a research paper.
7. There is no required “length” for this essay. Essays which receive full credit will explore the prompt thoroughly and clearly through analysis of at least five works of art discussed in class in conjunction with at least one document, technique video, and reading. The body of your essay should be introduced and concluded with a straightforward introduction and conclusion relevant to the content of your essay.
8. If you do not understand the essay prompt or have questions about any aspect of this assignment, contact
