NMED 1000
The Art of the Critique
NMED 1000
The Critique
As outlined in the course outline, critiques are
worth 15 % of your final grade
NMED 1000
•
What is a critique ?
–
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The art critique is a method of organizing the facts and
your thoughts about a particular work of art or creative
product.
Specific, constructive comments will help not only the artist
whose work it is, but also other artists participating in the
critique.
NMED 1000
• The Art Critiquing Process is broken
down into FOUR areas.
– Description
– Analysis
– Interpretation
– Judgment
NMED 1000
• Description
• Often the first thing you do when you look at a work of art is to
say "I like it" or "I think that is a terrible piece of art!" It is very
difficult not to jump to your opinions first.
• Description simply means to describe the picture. Tell what you
see. Talk about the subject, the medium and any information
you have gotten from reading the Credit Line, if there is one.
This is NOT the place to add your opinions. You must be
objective, like a detective who is surveying the scene of a crime
and writing down only what she sees.
NMED 1000
• Analysis
• Analysis is the second step of the critiquing process. In this
section you will answer the question: How is this work
organized? Using combinations of these, the artist creates the
mood of the work or expresses a particular point of view or
message.
• Analysis is where you will express your thoughts about what
the message of the artwork is. What idea does this work
represent? This section relies on your knowledge of the
Components of Design reading and to articulate in an
intelligent manner the information or clues you see in the work.
NMED 1000
• Interpretation
• Interpretation is the “anything goes” part of the critique. It is
here that you will ask yourself “What does this work say to me?"
However, these should be able to articulate, or express yourself
intelligently and respectfully using words, and provide insightful
comments.
• Interpretation is very personal. Understand that your
interpretation of a work may differ greatly from someone else's.
Just as people are different, so are our interpretations.
NMED 1000
• Judgment
• Judgment is an important part of the critique process. Here you
can express your opinion. What do you think about this piece of
work? Is it successful? Do you like it? You should be able to
give some reasons as to why you like or do not like a work of
art.
• Is a particular work of art successful? This is the question you
must ask yourself during this final step in the critique process.
Does the work have artistic merit? Everyone is going to have
reasons for liking or disliking a work of art. Saying "I think this is
good art" is not enough.
NMED 1000
• The Critique
– If you followed the four steps of the art critiquing
process, you can probably explain why you like
the work.
– How you value a work of art is a personal
judgment. But, it is important that you recognize
the importance of works of art and how they
represent the world in which we live.
NMED 1000
• Art Critique Questions
• l. What stands out the most when you first
see it?
• 2. Explain the reason you notice the thing
you mention in number 1.
• 3. As you keep looking, what else seems
important? .
• 4. Why does the thing you mention in
number 3 seem important ?
NMED 1000
• Art Critique Questions
• 5. Is this canvas composed with intention ?
• 6. What leads your eye around from place to
place?
• 7. What tells you about the style used by this
artist?
• 8.. What seems to be hiding in this
composition?
NMED 1000
• Art Critique Questions
• 9. Why do you think this was partially
hidden?
• 10. Imagine the feelings and meanings this
work represents? .
• 11. What titles could you give this work? .
• 12. What other things interest you about this
work?