Responding to Painting from a Common Perspective: Short Writing Assignment for the Art Studio Classroom

Writing Assignment: 25 points (out of 500 total points for the semester)

Format: Typewritten paper approximately 500 words

Due: One week from today. Late work will received one-half credit, at best.

Learning Objective:

Your objective in this writing assignment is to hone your skills in seeing artwork and responding to it from a critical standpoint. Remember that there is a difference between seeing and merely looking. You will do this by responding in a written format to a commonplace comment “overheard” about an artwork that you view at the Miami University Art Museum’s Faculty Exhibit.

Alignment with Course Objectives:

Students will be able to better analyze their artwork and the artwork of other artists in a critically constructive manner.
Students will view and examine contemporary works of art.
Students will improve their oral and written skills that discuss art.

Process:

You will visit Miami University Art Museum during a class session to view the Fall Faculty Exhibit.

You will circulate through the show for approximately fifteen minutes.
I will randomly assign a number that corresponds to a particular painting to each member of the class. Up to three students will be assigned the same painting.
I will then distribute an envelope to each student containing a plausible “comment” made about the particular painting by an “everyday” visitor to the museum.
Based on this “comment”, you will have 30 minutes to respond in a impromptu written format. You should either validate or disqualify the “comment” by: analyzing the artwork. Your comments should reference pertinent elements of art and principles of design and reflect on the artist’s statement.
You will then exchange your written responses with your classmates who reviewed the same painting. An open discussion of the paintings in your small groups will follow. You should gather further ideas and responses to your writing by the students in your group. (30 minutes)
You will then have one week to revise your responses into a more polished written paper of approximately 500 words (double-spaced).

Expectations and Criteria for Evaluation:

Through quality analysis and reflection, your paper should either convincingly support (validate) or not support (disqualify) the “comment” made about the artwork. (15 points)
Your written paper should be concise and clearly written. Thoughts should flow smoothly. (5 points)
Your paper should contain correct spelling, grammar, and language syntax. (5 points)

Miami University