the art of marc chagall cankaya university - office of basic and elective courses- english unit

The Art of Marc Chagall

CANKAYA UNIVERSITY - OFFICE OF BASIC AND ELECTIVE COURSES- ENGLISH UNIT

Abstract(adj.): art made of shapes and patterns that do not look like real people or things

Collocations : abstract art

Ex: Marc Chagall is influenced by abstract works of his time


Image(n): a picture

Ex: You can see the images of Catholic Church in this exhibition.

Ex: In cubism, images are made of shapes like circles and squares


Reality(n): things that actually happen or are true

Word Formation : Realistic (adj)

Ex: They want to use a style to show reality to the people.

Ex: Before 20th century, artists tried to make paintings realistic.


Subject(n): the thing in a painting or photograph

Ex: What is the subject of this painting ? Ex: Most of the time, she uses love as the subject of

her paintingsEx: During their marriage, Gala, Dali’s wife, was the

subject of Dali’s paintings.


Previewing the Academic Content The late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries were a

time of great change in art.Before this time, artists tried to make paintings look

realistic.The new artists like Pablo Picasso used an abstract style

to show ideas about people and objects without showing how they looked in reality.

They shocked the art world with their modern tehniques.In cubism, such kind of an art, image were made up of

shapes like circles and squares or patterns seen from different views.

These objects and people did not look real. Russian artists Marc Chagall was greatly influenced by

the abstract work and artists of his time.However, Chagall is famous for his own style of modern

art.


Some works of Marc Chagall

Flying Carriage

Song of songs

Falling Angel

Paris through the window

1. Many artists paint self-portraits, or pictures of themselves. Look at the three self-portraits on page 100 and number them 1(most realistic) to 3 (most abstract).

1. What makes the paintings realistic? What makes them abstract ?

2. Which paintings do you like ? Which one don’t you like ?


1. Like Chagall,many artists were influenced by the new abstract style in art. Look at two paintings on page 101 and discuss the questions on the same page.

1. What similarities and differences do you see between these two paintings? Consider the colors, shapes and subjects of the paintings.

2. Why do you think the artists made these paintings? Was it to tell a story, to create and emotion, to show an event or to do something else ?

3. Do you like paintings ? Why or Why not ?


3. What do you think the quotations about art mean?(page 101)Quotation 1: BQuotation 2: AQuotation 3: A

4. Discuss the questions in small groups.Do you think people should be able to understand art ? Explain.Do you think art that tells a story is more interesting than other types of art ? Explain.


Previewing the Academic Skills Focus

Fact and OpinionFacts are true statements that we can test or prove, such

as numbers or dates. An opinion is someone’s thought, belief, or feeling about

something. Recognizing the difference between facts and opinions is

important for evaluating- judging the value of – what you hear or read.

Read the statements about Marc Chagall. Write facts or opinions above the column. (Page 102)

The left column of the chart includes facts The right column includes opinions.


Depend on(v): to need something or someone to do something

Word Formation : Dependent (adj) / Independent (adj)

Ex:The economy of the country depends on tourism. Ex: He is an independent artist who does not depend

on any artistic style.


Inspire(v): to make someone want to do something

Word Formation : Inspiration (n), Inspiring (adj)

Collocations : inspire somebody to do something

Ex: His wife inspired Chagall in his paintingsEx: The music was very inspiring for her and she

started her new painting with this music. Ex: You cannot always have the same inspiration in

your life. Sometimes you feel it deeply, but sometimes you cannot even feel it.


Modernism(n): a style of art and building that was especially popular from the 1940s to the 1960s, in which artists used simple shapes

Word Formation : Modernistic (adj)

Ex: At his very first years, he was influenced by modernism.


Universal(adj): true or right in every situation

Ex: Love is a universal subject used in different kinds of arts.

Ex: This music group makes universal songs listened by many people all over the world.


Permit(v): to allow something to happen, especially by an official rule, law etc.

Word Formation : Permission (n)

Synonyms : allow Collocations : Permit somebody to do something

Ex: They do not permit smoking in public. Ex: Dogs are not permitted inside the shops. Ex: You need to show your permission to sell your

products here.


Destroy(v): to damage something so badly that it cannot be used or repaired.

Word Formation : Destruction (n)

Collocations :

Ex: Because the buildings were destroyed by the soldiers during the WWII , the works of famous artists cannot be found now.

Ex: The destruction of the environment will affect the future generations badly.

Ex:CANKAYA UNIVERSITY - OFFICE OF BASIC AND ELECTIVE COURSES- ENGLISH UNIT

Occupy(v): to enter a place in a large group and keep control of it by military force

Ex: The soldiers occupied most of the islands at the end of the war.

Ex: Protestors occupied wall street in order to protest world order.


Theme(n): the main idea or subject in a book, movie, painting speech etc.

Ex: The theme of the movie is love and honour.Ex: The theme of the book was so ordinary that I could

not continue reading it.


Movement(n): a group of people who share the same ideas or beliefs and who work together to complete a particular goal

Collocations : Artistic movement

Ex: Almost all of the artists are influenced by the artistic movement of their times.

Ex: Modernistic movement was between 1940s and 1960s.


Known (adj): recognized or known by many people

Collocations : be known for something best-known least-known

Ex: Marc Chagall is known for his universal paintings. Ex: Rolling In the Deep is the best-known song of

Adele.


Bring Together(phr.v.): to put things or people together

Ex: The writer’s books bring together the bad and good people.

Ex: The painter brings together different themes in his paintings.


Connect(v): to join two or more things together

Word Formation : Connection (n)

Synonyms : Link

Ex: With this painting, Chagall connects animals with humans.


Closely(adv): very carefully

Ex: Look at the images closely, and tell me how many characters there are in each picture.

Ex: The police watched the man closely all day.


Probably(adv.): used to say something is likely to happen

Word Formation : Probable (adj)

Synonyms : Likely

Ex: It seems cloudy, it will probably rain today.


Before You Read 1. Read the timeline of Marc Chagall’s life on page 103. 2. Discuss the questions on page 104 and use the facts

from the timeline on page 103. 1. Russia, France, US; France2. art3. his wife Bella4. 19415. Saint-Paul de Vence, France


3. Use the information in the timeline to form opinions about Marc Chagall’s life (Page104 ). Discuss your opinions.

1. Chagall was probably the happiest during the time he lived in France and during his marriage with Bella. During those times he developed his own unique style. In addition, he loved Bella very much and often included her image in his paintings.


2. He was probably the saddest during the war and after Bella died. During the war, he had to leave France, and the Nazis destroyed many of his paintings. Bella’s death probably affected him greatly.

3. Chagall loved Bella very much. She’s the subject of many of his paintings and she inspired him greatly.

4. Chagall moved to United States to avoid Nazi persecution.

5. Bella’s death was probably the reason why Chagall stopped painting for a while.


Global Reading1. Read the excerpt from an art history textbook. As you

read, underline the opinions. Take notes on the main ideas.

2. Read the statements on page 105 and decide if they are true (T) or false (F).

1. T2. T3. F4. F 5. T6. F7. T


Identifying Facts A fact is an information that is true for everyone. It can be

tested or proven. For example:Marc Chagall was a Russian artist.I and The Village is a painting

To find facts, ask yourself, “Can this be proven to be true ?”

If the answer is yes, then it is a fact. Recognizing and remembering important facts help you

understand any subject.Including facts in your writing and speech will help you

support your own ideas.


3. Study the painting I and the Village on page 104. Write four facts about the painting. Read your facts to a partner and your partner will decide if your statements are facts.

Example:A: In I and the Village there is a big green face.B: Yes that is a fact.A:The green face looks very strange.B: No, that is not a fact. You can’t prove it.


Focused Reading1. Read the text on pages 104-105 again. Circle the best

answer to complete each statement.

1. b 2. b 3. c 4. c 5. a


Identifying OpinionsRecognizing opinions is an important part of evaluating a

text.An opinion is a person’s thought, belief, or feeling about

something.An opinion is often introduced by specific phrases like:

I think (that)…., I believe (that)….., I feel (that)…, In my opinionWords such as good, bad, best, beautiful are also used. Example

I think that Marc Chagall’s art is beautiful. If a statement does not use these expressions ask yourself:

Can I check or prove this ? If answer is no, it is an opinionCan I agree or disagree ? If answer is yes, it is an opinion


2. Read the excerpts from the reading. Each contains an opinion, a fact or both. Underline facts once and opinions twice.

Example:

The main part of the painting shows a green man (probably

marc Chagall himself) and an animal (a horse or a goat)

looking at each other.


1. The place in the painting must be Vitebsk, the small Russian farming village where Chagall was born into a large Jewish family.

2. A circle connects the two images. This could be an example of Chagall’s belief in a strong connection between humans and animals.

3. In I and the Village, Chagall brings together fantasy and reality to show a love of home and the natural world.

4. Chagall married Bella in 1915.5. Chagall painted many images of them together, and these

works clearly show the feelings of romantic love and joy he felt for her.

6. Even after her death in 1944, Bella continued to inspire his work.

3. Read the blog entries on pages 107 & 108. Underline the facts once and opinions twice.

The textbook passage says that the circle connecting the

animal and the man in the painting shows Chagall’s belief in a

connection between humans and animals. I believe that this is

true. When you look at the painting closely, you will see that

there is also a line that goes between the man’s eyes and the

animal’s eyes. I think this is another example that Chagall

believed that people and animals are connected. It seems to

me that Chagall wanted to say that all living things depend on

each other.

4. Write your own blog entry about the painting. Make sure that you include at least one fact and two opinions.


The title of the painting is I and the Village. I think

the “I” from the title is the green man in the painting.

The textbook says that the man is probably Chagall

himself. He’s wearing a schoolboy hat, so I think it’s

Chagall when he was a boy. In my opinion, Chagall is

showing that he will always remember the place

where he grew up.

KEY WORDS


Critic (v): a person whose job is to say if art, music, and movies are good or bad

Word Formation : Criticize (v)

Collocations : music/ art critic

Ex: She works as a critic in Sunday Times and she writes about paintings.


Sentimental(adj.): strongly showing emotions such as love and sadness

Synonyms : emotional Ex: Chagall’s paintings are seen as sentimantal paintings.Ex: The song was very sentimental. Everybody cried while

listening to it.


Before You Listen1. What is the purpose of art ? Check the opinions on page

108. 2. Read the quotations by famous artists. Which opinion

from exercise 1 does each quotation support ? (Page 109)

Claude Monet:

Norman Rockwell:

Marc Chagall:

Pablo Picasso:

Vincent Van Gogh:


show reality

tell a story; show reality; show important events

inspire strong emotions

inspire strong emotions

help people relax

Global Listening1. Listen to the introduction of a lecture on art. What do you

think the professor will talk about?Check your predictions. After listening , see if your predictions are true.

The professor will talk about…__ techniques that Chagall used in his paintings__ his own experiences with art critics__ critics’ opinions about Chagall’s paintings__ the purpose of Chagall’s art__ different paintings that Chagall made.


X

X

2. Listen to the lecture. Then circle the statement in each pair that expresses the main idea.

1.a ) Chagall’s art is easy to understand2.b ) Chagall used different styles and techniques to create

feeling of fantasy3.b) Some critics believe Chagall’s art is too sentimental 4.b) Chagall’s work expresses love, joy and beauty.


Recognizing a Speaker’s Degree of Certainty Speakers may use special words and phrases to show

certainty, or how sure they are of their opinions. 100% 95% 50% less than 50% is must be may be might be/ could be

3. Listen to the three excerpts. How certain is the lecturer about each feature of painting ? First write the words professor uses to express certainity. Then deciide the lecturers degree of certainity. Excerpt One: must; very certain (95%)Excerpt Two: is, are; very certain (100%)Excerpt Three: may; not very certain (50%)


Focused Listening 1. Listen to the lecture again. Take notes in the chart with

examples from the lecture.


Common Themes Techniques Chagall Used Experts’ Opinions

Modernist art : social problems, loss of hope

Chagall ‘s art : love, simple life, andnature

Cubist and modernist:geometric shapes likecircles and squares;bright colors; showingobjects in an unreal way;some subjects look realist and modernist:

Foray:Chagall wantedpeople to understandwhat he was sayingOtt:Fantastic colors;simple subjects = toosentimental;doesn’t inspire her to lookfor deeper meaningRiley: Chagall stayedinterested in the power ofgood; believed artcould/should make theworld a better place

2. Circle the correct answers. Use the chart on page 110 to help you.1. b, c 2. a, b 3. a

Identifying Support for OpinionsEffective speakers and writers support their opinions with reasons

or details that are specific, clear, and logical. These may include certain types of details. Examples (from personal experience or background) Common sense (things everyone knows or can understand) Expert evidence (the opinion of experts) Statistics (numbers that come from research)

As you read texts or listen to lectures, identify the details that support people’s opinions

3. Read the statements from the lecture. Opinions are underlined once, and supporting details are underlined twice. Check the type(s)of support used.

2. Examples3. Common sense4. Common sense5.Examples6. Expert evidence


4. Discuss the questions in small groups. Use the words to show certainty and provide details to support your opinions. 1. Do you think Chagall’s paintings are too sentimental? Why or Why not ?2. Do Chagall’s paintings inspire you to look for deeper meaning?3. What are some other possible purposes of Chagall’s paintings? Explain.4. Chagall said, ”Art must be an expression of love or it is nothing.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement?5. Chagall has been called the “most beloved- and most misunderstood” artist of the twentieth century. Why do you think he has been described this way ?


SPEAKING


Before You SpeakGiving and Supporting an OpinionWhen you state your opinions, you need to give reasons

to support them.Here are some expressions that will help you:To give an opinion

I think/believe/feel that…In my opinion ….It seems to me that…

To support an opinion…….because…….…… for several reasons….


Example:I think that Marc Chagall’s painting the birthday is dreamlike, because the people in the picture are flying

When you give an opinion, use strong support to persuade your audience to agree with you.Make sure your ideas are detailed, logical, and clear(easy to

understand)Use reasons, examples, common sense, expert evidence, or

statisticsChoose words that show your level of certainty


1. Look back at Chagall’s paintings on pages 99 and 101. Which do you like better- The Birthday, I and the Village, or neither ? Give reasons to support your opinion. (Page 113)

Example:Opinion: I like the painting The Birthday better than the

painting I and The Village.Reason: The flying couple gives me a feeling of joy.

2. Use your notes from exercise 1 to write a paragraph expressing and supporting your opinion. Evaluate each other’s paragraphs by answering the questions on page 113.


Focused SpeakingShowing Agreement and DisagreementYou can use certain expressions to show agreement or

disagreement with someone’s opinion.


To show agreement:

I think so,too.I agree (with you)I feel the same way.I think you are right.That is right/ true

To show disagreement:Yes, but….I disagree(with you)I see what you mean, but I think..Actually,…I do not quite agree. What/How about….?

1. Listen to two students discuss Popova’s Lady with the Guitar. Check the expressions you hear (Page 114)I think so, too. I don’t quite agree.I agree. I disagree with you.I think you’re right.I feel the same way.

2. Did the speakers agree or disagree about the ideas on page 114 ? Circle Agree or Disagree. 1. Disagree2. Agree3. Agree4. Disagree5. Agree


Integrated Speaking TaskYou have read a text, and listened to a lecture about

Marc Chagall’s place in modern artYou have heard a sample discussion about a work of art. Now, use you knowledge of the content, topic

vocabulary and fact and opinion to describe and give your opinion about Marc Chagall’s painting Self-Portrait with Seven Fingers in a group discussion. (Page 114)

Follow the steps on page 115 and 116 to prepare for the discussion.


the art of marc chagall cankaya university - office of basic and elective courses- english unit

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