Formal Analysis Paper

Formal Analysis Paper

This course requires that you look at and respond to a visual piece of art. You are expected to do this through a two part paper that you will be graded on. The requirements are as follows:

1. Go to a museum or gallery (see full list below) and chose a work of art. This can be in any medium just be sure you chose one you are interested in.
2. Now, look at it. Take notes and take a picture (check with the gallery first on this).

**You must do this by the end of week

Response Paper Part I –
**You must include an image of your chosen artwork with each paper
40 pts.

In this Response you are to:
1. Introduce your piece (including Title, Artist, Date, Medium, Dimensions). Where did you go to see this? 1-2 paragraphs
2. Describe your chosen artworks’ subject matter and theme (as discussed in Chapter 3). 2-4 paragraphs
3. Research your chosen artist and piece and discuss the time frame in which it was made and why that was important. In other words, what was going on in the world when the piece was made? Was your artists reacting to something? Try to place your piece in a historical context. (for example; If you chose a work of art that is Cubism, you would talk about the important steps in stylizing figures and scenes that the cubists took. Also, they were the first to use Text in their work. This would be the kind of information you would want to include) 2-4 paragraphs

Response Paper Part II – Due for peer review
**you must include an image of your chosen artwork with each paper
60 pts.
In this Response you are to:
1. Formally analyze your chosen piece by using the visual elements and principles of design (as described in Chapters 4 & 5).
Make sure that you are choosing the most relevant elements in your work and not just listing vocabulary words. In other words, you need to critically look at your piece and decide what the most important elements are. You do not have to use every element and principle (in fact, it will be to your benefit not to). Instead, focus on the 3-5 most important ones and analyze them in an articulate and informed way. 4-6 paragraphs

2. Describe your personal response to your chosen piece. Why were you drawn to it? What about its composition and use of elements caught your attention. Try to stay away from phrases such as, “I thought it was cool” or “I thought it was pretty”. At this point you should be able to concisely articulate your opinions and ideas.

Final draft of Part 2

List of Galleries and Museums:

Corvallis:
Corvallis Arts Walk (CAW) every 3rd Thursday of the month www.corvallisartswalk.blogspot.com or www.facebook.com/CorvallisArtsWalk
-The Arts Center
-Pegasus
-Studio 262
-Art in the Valley
Eugene:
Eugene Downtown Art Walk – First Friday of every month

Portland:
First Thursday Art Walk (Pearl District) includes: Pacific Northwest College of Art, Museum of Contemporary Craft
Last Thursday Art Walk (Alberta St.)
Portland Museum of Art