Artist Focus: Group-Study

Our enduring idea:

The relationship between Nature and human nature

What are our goals?

To analyze artwork (FORM + CONTENT)

To discover what the art says (INTERPRET)

To work effectively in small groupsContribute ideas

Include everyone

To share ideas with the whole class

For each artwork, answer our key questions

3 key questionsYOU came up with:

What is the human relationship with Nature?

Why do we make art that deals with Nature?

What does our Art say about Nature, and what does Nature say about our Art?

FORM CONTENT

Key question #1

Key question #2

(INTERPRETATION)

Your master list

ROUND 1

ROUND 2

Round 1

FORMThink about elements of design and how the parts relate to one another and to the whole

Shape, line (organic/geometric), color, texture

Principles of design: Balance, rhythm, proportion, emphasis, movement, pattern, unity

CONTENTWhat is the artwork about?

What did the artist actually portray?

What does the artwork say about its subject?

Round 2

INTERPRETATIONWhat is the artist’s perspective?

What did the artist intend to say?

What do you think the artwork communicates?

How does the FORM and CONTENT support your interpretation?AND

How does the artwork answer our enduring questions?

Artwork #1

Looking Down Yosemite Valley by Albert Bierstadt

Albert Bierstadt, Looking Down Yosemite Valley, 1865

Artwork #2

Impression Sunrise by Claude Monet

Claude Monet – Impression sunrise, 1872

Artwork #3

Paleolithic cave paintings

Chauvet Cave, France

Created circa 31,000 B.C.

Paleolithic cave paintings in Chauvet

Artwork #4

Neukom Vivarium by Mark Dion

21st century installation

Mark Dion - Neukom Vivarium, 2006

Experience the installation

Artwork #5

Clearing Winter Storm by Ansel Adams

Silver gelatin print (photography)

Ansel Adams - Clearing Winter Storm, 1944

Reminders

Include your entire group!

Fill your master list

Round 1 – Form and Content

Round 2 – Interpretation

Round 1 – Form + Content

Round 2

Choose 2 of 3 key questions:1. What is the human relationship with

Nature?

2. Why do we make art that deals with Nature?

3. What does our Art say about Nature, and what does Nature say about our Art?

How does this artwork answer these questions?

Round 2 – Interpretation

Discussion

Albert Bierstadt, Looking Down Yosemite Valley, 1865

Claude Monet – Impression sunrise, 1872

Paleolithic cave paintings in Chauvet

Mark Dion - Neukom Vivarium, 2006

Ansel Adams - Clearing Winter Storm, 1944