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Instructor Hall Art 101: Introduction to Art

CSUF

Developing Understanding: Identifying Formal Elements

Length: 1 page maximum (approximately 400-500 words), typed and double-spaced.

Tip: Aim to be thorough and also concise. Goals: ° To actively view a work of art in person.

° To identify formal elements in that work of art. ° To write a succinct response which analyzes these elements. ° To use appropriate vocabulary. ° To incorporate a quote from the textbook, including proper use of quotation marks, MLA in-text citation and Work Cited at the end.

Process:

1. Please review the concepts we’ve covered so far in the text and review the Writing Guidelines on pp. 5 - 6 of the syllabus.

2. Select one work of art from the list provided on p 2.

3. Invest a minimum of 7 minutes looking closely at the artwork. Making a sketch of the artwork will help with this close observation.

4. Take notes. Consider: is the work two-dimensional or three-dimensional? Is

it representational, abstract, or completely non-objective? What is the subject matter? What is the content (meaning), if any?

5. Consider: which of the following formal elements are present?

a. Consider: which elements are most noticeable?

b. Consider: how do these elements function in the composition? Do they create a focal point? A sense of rhythm? Evoke a feeling? Create the illusion of space, a sense of volume?

6. Type a one-page response. Please include: artist’s name, title of the work

(italicized), date of the work, medium, and size (if available). Also apply a minimum of five of the vocabulary words (listed above in bold) and include one quote from the textbook that supports your ideas and observations. Cite the quote correctly using MLA format.

7. Proofread for accuracy and conciseness and bring a hard copy to class.

Shape: geometric, organic, implied shape, scale, rhythm Line (many different kinds), actual line, implied line Contrast, value, positive shape, negative space, highlight Implied or actual volume, mass Implied or actual texture, high relief, bas-relief, in-the-round Illusion of space

Instructor Hall Art 101: Introduction to Art

CSUF Please select one of these works in the TITAN Student Union as the focus for your paper: artist’s name: title: location of the work: Anthony Wellnitz The Dream main floor

(atrium area near the Mammoth skeleton) a work from the Identifying Beauty series main floor small gallery

near the Mainframe Computer Lounge David Kruger Cezar’s Torch main floor - quiet lounge David Kruger Untitled (painting) main floor - quiet lounge Rizanette Cruz Paper Trucks stairs going from main floor to 2nd floor Jose Flores LOL Effigy Vessel stairs going from main floor to 2nd floor Alex Villa The Conversion of Thought 2nd floor hallway Laura Hoffman Racing Daschunds 2nd floor hallway Rachel Elnar My Back Door 2nd floor hallway Rick Schank 108 Objects 2nd floor hallway Rose Misanchuk Balancing Act downstairs Jeanette Gutierrez This is Who I Am Completely downstairs west hallway