Visit the websites for several of the museums listed in the Website Adventure in this session. (Visit "at least" three art museums. Remember to look for the links to "collections," "permanent collecti

FINE 1306 Introduction to Fine Arts (FA22)

ART MUSEUM ASSIGNMENT

You are required to visit a major art museum in person as that is the intent of this individual field trip assignment. You are to choose between creating a visual art museum power point project - OR - writing a three page art museum essay critique. This assignment is due according to the date indicated on the course schedule.

Note: Most museums strictly use all COVID precautions, protocols, and enforce safety policies. You need to check the art museum website as soon as possible for days, hours, admissions fee or free, parking, and to see if a reservation with a timed entry and specific day is required. Plan ahead early and go!

Objectives: Students will experience personal interactions with original works of visual art in an art museum environment. Students will then reflect upon their general responses to the works encountered and record their experiences of observation, critical thinking, participation, and applied knowledge. Students will select only one painting or sculpture on which to specifically focus for their detailed analysis.

Purpose: To understand and appreciate a work of art, one must personally encounter and experience that work. This assignment is designed to draw the student away from the textbook and out into the real world of art exhibition. Because works of art reflect and expose the culture in which they were created, engagement with original art can enhance an individual’s perception of and insight into his/her own heritage and cultural identity. In addition, awareness of the contributions of artists and cultures to the global community may promote multicultural awareness and appreciation. Finally, this assignment affords students the opportunity to broaden their own horizons and to enjoy the artistic and cultural advantages available in or near their own or different cities.

Photos: Photos must be included, so take a cell phone camera or a camera without the flash. The power point should present art museum photos throughout selected slides; however, give focus to one selected work of art. The written paper is to present photos at the end of the three page written paper; do not include photos within or the middle of the written paper. Photos should present you standing beside your selected artwork and photo details of your work of art, as well as selfie(s) – you with your selected art and you at the museum. If you want to include photos of additional art works at the museum, you may.

Assignment: In preparation, read chapter 3 well, "Being a Critic of the Arts." For this Art Museum assignment, you are to choose between creating a visual art museum power point project - OR - writing a three page art museum essay critique paper. The power point is to contain between 15 – 20 slides. The essay critique is to be three fully written pages in length (12 point font, double spaced.) Either should be free of any grammatical or spelling errors, use standard academic English, and include photos.

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This Art Museum Assignment must include the following FIVE distinct parts / sections:

1) Introduction: Set the stage — your introduction must answer the 5 W’s in any order: Who? Did you go alone or with friends or family; if not alone, did your group stay together or split to wander independently? What? Name of the museum you visited; what were your first impressions? When? Not just a date, but also day of the week, and time of day; was it crowded or empty, were there special exhibits or events taking place? Where? Location and your reasons for choosing that location; how many times had you been there before? Why? To identify a favorite original work of art in person: title, artist, date, country of origin, and medium?

2) Descriptive Criticism, text page 44: Describe your observation of the form of the artwork in detail. What kind of work is it? Is it a painting (landscape, portrait, still life, etc.); sculpture; photograph? Is it representational (realistic) or abstract? How is it organized? (in other words, talk about the structural details.) What do you literally see – types of lines, colors, textures, shapes, elements of composition, etc.? What important principles of art did the artist use?

3) Interpretive Criticism, text page 48: Discuss the content and message of the work of art. What is it about? What was the artist’s intention; what was the artist trying to say in the subject matter? What does it mean to you; what do you get out of it?

4) Evaluative Criticism, text page 51: Judge the merits of the work of art. What is its’ worth to humanity? Why is it in the museum; why should people see it; who would it appeal to and why? Does it exemplify any or all of the three standards of evaluative criticism; why or why not? Be sure to address each of the three standards: perfection, insight, and inexhaustibility (text page 52.)

5) Conclusion: Share your personal reflections regarding the work of art and the overall museum experience. What (if anything) surprised you? What (if anything) disappointed you? What will you remember most? What did you get out of this experience?

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RUBRIC and REQUIREMENTS

The Art Museum assignment is worth up to 100 possible points. It must include the following FIVE distinct parts / sections:

1) Introduction (possible 20 points)

2) Descriptive Criticism (possible 20 points)

3) Interpretive Criticism (possible 20 points)

4) Evaluative Criticism including the three standards: perfection, insight, and inexhaustibility (possible 20 points)

5) Conclusion (possible 20 points)

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Power Point Project:

Points are Deducted if the power point is:

Less than the minimum 15 slides (15 - 20 slides are required)
Few art museum photos (and selfies) are used - or - the photos are so large little script (written information) is included on and with the slides.
Incorrect spelling and/or poor grammar.
Each of the five parts / sections are not included within the power point.
Note: The power point will not be accepted after the due date indicated on the course schedule.

Written Essay Critique:

Points are Deducted if the written essay paper critique is:

Any less than three fully written complete pages in length (12 font, double spaced)
Required art museum photos (and selfies) are not included on pages following the written three page paper.
Incorrect spelling and/or poor grammar.
The five sections / parts are not each specifically numbered (1 - 5) and included.
Note: The written essay critique paper will not be accepted after the due date indicated on the course schedule.

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Submit your Art Museum Powerpoint or Paper within the session indicated according to the Course Schedule.

The guidelines and requirements are provided above for the ART MUSEUM POWERPOINT PROJECT - and - the ESSAY CRITIQUE PAPER. Follow well the requirements for this assignment.