art history work two works

Final Exam Fall 2017 Art 102: Western Art – Prehistory through Gothic

Please choose either option A or option B to submit for your final. Remember that this is your final exam and should be a demonstration of the knowledge you acquired throughout the semester. Please do not list the basic facts regarding dates, dimensions, artists, or any facts that can be easily found online. The point is to show how you can use information from the semester to write a thoughtful essay or design a thoughtful “monument” that demonstrates to me that you can analyze a work of art and use your knowledge of western art in general to synthesize the information and reflect upon it in an intelligent manner. Your final is due by 9pm December 20, 2017. You may submit a paper or digital copy though I prefer a digital copy and you must email to let me know if you have submitted a paper copy to my mailbox in the Art Department (41 Park Row, 12th floor). Please submit to [email protected] or [email protected] Please make sure that you have included ALL parts and requirements for the option you choose.

Option A: Short Essay Compare and contrast Trajan’s Column with the Bayeux Tapestry. Your response MUST be 2-4 pages,1 12pt font, Times New Roman, 1” margins, double- spaced) – please read through all of the directions before you start and consider using the list of questions below as a sort of checklist. Images related to each object have been uploaded to Blackboard in the File “Final”. You are welcome to view higher resolution images online and the point of the essay is not to give me all of the facts of the two pieces but to compare the way in which each tells a narrative story. I am interested in your analysis of the image, style, effectiveness and purpose of each. These should be educated observations based on what you have learned in class. Please refer to relevant images, genres or styles that we discussed in class if it seems useful or relevant. Remember that this is your final exam and should be a demonstration of the knowledge you acquired throughout the semester. Please do not list the basic facts regarding dates, dimensions, artists, or any facts that can be easily found online. The point is to show how you can use this information and write a thoughtful art historical essay about two important masterpieces. Please consider the following in your essay: -How do the narratives related to each piece unfold? -Why might they have chosen such a medium? -Where would each have been viewed? Who was the targeted audience? -How would someone go about viewing the narrative in its entirety? -Is there an advantage to showing a long narrative rather than a single image that summarizes the entire history (e.g. think of the victory scenes from Egyptian temples) -What are some of the key similarities or differences in the way that the narrative is presented in each? -Is there script? -Does the same figure appear multiple times? -How many events are shown in this one narrative? -How does each item reflect the time and place within which it was produced? -you might consider genre, stylistic elements, clothing, language, technology, etc. -How can these objects be used to better understand the art, culture and society from their respective times? 1 I expect all essays to be at least 2 pages, 1.5 pages is not enough.

Option B: Victory Monument Design Please design a “victory monument” commemorating an achievement or victory of your own (this could be academic, athletic, artistic, emotional, etc.). This can be real, imagined or an aspiration (i.e. if it is your dream to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro or go to space or reach every continent, use one of these as your inspiration). You must complete all parts listed below (A written description of your choice and an image). The aim is to have you think about the genre of the type of victory monument you have chosen and you will need to explain your choice. You will also be expected to demonstrate through your image that you are aware of the way that each of these genres uses image to tell a story. Your “victory” must be commemorated in a i) victory stele, ii) tympanum or iii) victory column. I have included outline drawings for each (see attached) but you are welcome to use your own design.

1) Please explain, in a paragraph with complete sentences, the reason that you choose i), ii) or iii). In your explanation please consider the

i. Location of each image and how they would be viewed (i.e. where might you find a victory stele v. a tympanum v. a victory column). Where would you like your monument situated?

ii. Style of presentation. Is your story best told in symbolic imagery that can be viewed from one angle or should it unwrap around a column?

iii. Is there a divine element at play in your image? How might this be expressed in the particular monument you chose?

iv. Would your monument be painted? How visible would it be? Should every feature be visible or does it add to the glory or mystique that parts of it are barely if at all visible to a passerby?

2) Design your “victory” monument. In designing your image, you must consider: a. Scale b. Attributes and accouterments (what will the figures wear and carry?) c. How will you represent the obstacle(s) of your particular victory?

i. i.e. will it appear as an enemy below your feet? Will it be a personification? A symbol? An object?

d. Does your image show the moment of victory? The pregnant moment before or the moments thereafter?

e. Do you have allies? Who helped you on this journey and how will they be represented?

f. How will you use the landscape to dramatize your event? Are you standing above others? What about the environment helps to illustrate your victory?

3) You must include script in your monument. You are required to have two examples of

script (one must be a phrase but you may choose one word for your second). Please be thoughtful about where and how you situate it.