two artworks/artifacts on display in a museum in Houston, each of a different culture and time period, to write about. You will write a formal visual analysis of these works, see below for details.

ART 1301 Art Appreciation Instructor: Zoe Gross Phone: 917-287-2278 cell phone Email: [email protected] Museum Paper: Choose two artworks/artifacts on display in a museum in Houston, each of a different culture and time period, to write about. You will write a formal visual analysis of these works, see below for details. Make sure that you are allowed to photograph them both (without a flash, of course). For your paper, you will need to take a picture of the pieces and the labels for each piece. You will need to sketch both pieces. Both the photos of the artworks and labels as well as your own drawings of the artworks will be included at the end of your paper.

Chosen Artworks and Thesis Statement: Due February 18

• Submit the titles, artists (if applicable), and country of origin of the artworks you will work on. If you are not able to get to the museum before this date, then tell me the exact date you plan to go!

• This is a formal paper and will be treated that way with a clear thesis statement that will guide you beyond the formal visual analysis to the relationship between these works, it’s encouraged that you think about what this relationship might be before committing to specific works as it will impact your paper.

Final Paper Due: February 27 This is worth 10% of your final grade Here is the detailed assignment: Visit the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, the Menil Collection, the Contemporary Arts Museum, The Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, or a different Houston museum. The Menil, the Contemporary Arts Museum, and the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft are free, and the Museum of Fine Arts Houston is free if you show them this assignment sheet.

Choose two artworks/artifacts each of a different culture & time period to write about—make sure that you are allowed to photograph them both (without a flash, of course). Do not choose works you cannot photograph (yes the photo is really required). Take a picture of the pieces, labels, and draw each work and include those with your submission. Include the following information in your report:

Title of each
Artist's name (if known) of each
Name of culture/tribe of each
Place of origin of artist or object of each Year produced of each Medium (materials) of each.

This is just proper citing, and is expected in all your work.

Then compare & contrast each work considering these points:


• Develop a strong thesis statement, this is a thesis driven paper. Your focus will be on a connection between the two works, a connection of your choosing. Consider:

o How do the visual elements of this object reflect the culture in which the object was made?

o How the subject portrayed in this work reflects the culture in which the object was made?

o How does this compare to the other object you chose? o Why you selected this artifact/work of art; what is appealing or interesting about

it to you? • Description of artwork/artifact • Conduct a formal visual analysis using the Elements and Principles that are listed below,

refer to the lectures and your notes from the first half of the semester to help develop this. This analysis is a clear visual description, and should be the starting point of your paper, imagine I don’t have the opportunity to the see the works you are writing about, your formal visual analysis should tell me exactly what the work looks like.

Elements: Principles: Like ingredients how elements are used Color Contrast Form Emphasis Line Focal Point Mass Pattern Shape Proportion Space Rhythm Texture Scale Time and Motion Balance Value Unity Volume Variety

• Images must be included at the end of your paper. The sketch is not meant to be a work of art itself, the objective is for you to take time to LOOK at the work, consider the elements and principles while sketching, this type of engagement with an artwork can give you insight to the technique and craftsmanship you may otherwise overlook.

• Keep in mind, this is a formal paper, with a formal analysis. You have been developing a new language and global understanding of how, and why artwork is created, you do not need to guess, start at the beginning, the physical: “I get very frustrated when people ask me, ‘What does your sculpture mean?’ I respond by talking about what it’s made of and they get impatient, as though I’m avoiding the question. But I feel that unless you know what it’s physically made of you can’t begin to understand it. A lot of times the metaphors are imbedded right in the medium and the way that you work.” Robert Gober

Guidelines

1. Length requirement is 1000 words minimum. This must be double-spaced, 12-point, Times New Roman font in MS Word format only. 


2. You must include a photo of each work and its label. You must also include a drawing of each work. If photography is not allowed for a work you have chosen, choose another. You will not be graded on drawing skill, but you are graded on engagement. Even stick figures can show full effort. 


3. You are only required to use the class textbook and museum label information as reference materials for claims you make in this report. 


4. Complete & proper citations must be used where references are required. Use APA format. 


5. All claims should be specific, detailed, & supported. For example, it is not enough to simply say “It is very expressive,” or “It fits with the culture.” Rather, explain what aspects of the artwork are expressive or fit & what they express & how they fit based on your knowledge of the textbook and/or museum label discussion & always use class vocabulary wherever appropriate. It shows full understanding of material.


6. Late submissions must be approved 48 hours prior to the due date and time. Otherwise late submissions will be reduced by 10 points, or a full letter grade, for each week the paper is late.

Approved museums

Museum of Fine Arts Houston, The Menil Collection, The Contemporary Arts Museum, The Houston Center for Contemporary Craft

Assessment

You will receive up to 100 points for this assignment. You will be graded on the following criteria:

Criteria %

Report adequately discusses how the object reflects the culture in which the object was made through materials and subject of the work.

30%

Report adequately compares both objects in terms of materials, subject & culture & discusses why the student chose each work.

30%

Report includes required photo of and label info for each work. 15%

Report is well-written, with proper spelling, grammar, and citations 15%

Report includes required sketch of each work. 5%

Report meets 1000-word minimum requirement. 5%

TOTAL 100%

Works cited page

Wall label:

Wall text, Artist Name, Title of Object, Museum Name, City, State Abbreviation.


Example: Wall text, Pablo Picasso, Woman Wearing a Large Hat, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Houston, TX, 2017.


Textbook:

Last, F. M. (Year Published) Book. City, State: Publisher. Our textbook: DeWitte, Debra J., Larmann, Ralph M., Shields, M. Kathryn (2015) Gateways to Art: Understanding the Visual Arts. New York: Thames & Hudson. In-text citations

Wall label:

"The object is made of oil on canvas, but also made of a special oil paint preferred by the artist (wall text, 2017)."

Textbook:

This object reflects the Japanese culture's interest in nature and Shinto philosophy because of the emphasis on natural forms such as the leaves surrounding the tiger (DeWitte, Debra J., Larmann, Ralph M., Shields, M. Kathryn, 2015).