Gr. 11 Digital Media: Art as activism This particular assignment concentrates on the arts function as a social commentator. Art has always been used to reflect society and discuss the way society is. This project concentrates on communicating a message, particularly a message of awareness or activism. Political messages can reflect our attitudes towards race, gender, culture and the way our society is being run. Art that has an activist connotation often reflects a particular point of view and tried to voice an injustice. This kind of art focuses on relaying messages by a variety of techniques that are intended to create shock value. Activist work has the focus of bettering the state of society. It is an opportunity to discuss, communicate and express how you feel about a social issue of your concern. This project should be completed by using Adobe Photoshop. It should be accompanied by an artist statement which explains what issue you are tackling, what you learned and how you communicated it in your piece. As well this Artist statement should refer to which artists inspired you and how. You should also include an MLA style bibliography upon completion of project. You need present a proposal and research on your chosen topic to Mr. St. Pierre. Your proposal should explain what issue you are tackling, what you learned and how you communicated it in your piece. As well this proposal should refer to which artists inspired you or you are using as your model. Activist Artist to Consider: Femenism: Georgio O’keefe Judy Chicago Cindy Sherman Guerrilla Girls Political Diego Rivera Orozco Siqueiros Banksy Sheppard Ferrie Racism: Judith Baca Aids/HIV Keith Haring Collective General Idea Gran Fury Poverty: Antonio Berni Environmental Awareness: Helen and Newton Harrison St. Pierre’s Tips Things to answer with your piece: What is the topic you are trying to express? Is my opinion and feelings clearly being communicated? Things to consider: Remember to think carefully about how you are implementing your message. Think about how you can use comparison, juxtaposition, humor or satire and shock value to your advantage to discuss issues that affect our world. Criteria Level 1 (50-59%) -shows knowledge about an activist issue with limited effectiveness -project shows a limited understanding of the activist issue being explored Student is uses limited photoshop in a limited manner for the assignment. Level 2 (60-69%) -shows knowledge about an activist issue with some effectiveness -project shows some understanding of the activist issue being explored Student is able to use some photoshop techniques in a somewhat appropriate manner for the assignment. Thinking /Inquiry: (25 marks) Does your project show an insightful opinion and critical analysis on the subject? Did you choose to creatively use humor or satire, juxtaposition, shock value and other communicative techniques to relay a message? Proposal, MLA Style Bibliography and research included Communication: (15 and 10 for critique) How well does your art piece express your message or opinion? Is the cause or activist issue you are discussing clear to an audience? Critique: Student can discuss their own work and those of peers. - communicates a limited insight to the activist issue being dealt with. Little presence of critical analysis. -Little evidence of juxtaposition, shock value, humour or satire and other communicative techniques to express intended message. Proposal, MLA Style Bibliography and research included in limited manner - communicates some insight to the activist issue being dealt with. Some presence of critical analysis. -Some evidence of juxtaposition, shock value, humour or satire and other communicative techniques to express intended message. Proposal, MLA Style Bibliography and research somewhat included -there is some evidence of the message and the opinion is vague. -Activist issue being dealt with is somewhat evident. -Some use of artistic symbols to communicate ideas. Critique: Student discusses their own work. Application: (25 marks) How did you use Adobe Photoshop techniques in this art piece? Were the techniques used appropriate to the message? Did it make your work’s message stronger? Did you apply the elements of design and principles of arts to enhance you art work? - Adobe Photoshop techniques used for the artistic piece creates limited aid for art piece’s success -The techniques used were not appropriate to the message being conveyed. -The elements of design and principles of art were poorly used. Knowledge and Understanding: (25 marks) Did you demonstrate a thorough understanding of your issue? Is there evidence that you researched your issue? Student is able to use photoshop techniques appropriate for the assignment. -message is not clear and opinion is ambiguous. -Activist issue being dealt with is not clear. -Use of artistic symbols to communicate ideas is limited Critique: Student discusses their own work and those of peers. - Adobe Photoshop techniques used for the artistic piece creates some aid for art piece’s success -The techniques used were somewhat appropriate to the conveying of the message. -The elements of design and principles of art were moderately used. Level 3 (70-79%) -shows knowledge about an activist issue with considerable effectiveness -project shows considerable understanding of the activist issue being explored Student is able to use good photoshop techniques in a appropriate manner for the assignment. - communicates an effective/ accurate insight to the activist issue being dealt with. Good presence of critical analysis. -Effective evidence of juxtaposition, shock value, humour or satire and other communicative techniques to express intended message. Proposal, MLA Style Bibliography and research included but mistakes are present -there is good evidence of the message and the opinion is somewhat clear. -Activist issue being dealt with is fairly evident. -Good use of artistic symbols to communicate ideas. Critique: Student discusses their own work and those of peers. - Adobe Photoshop techniques used for the artistic piece creates effective aid for art piece’s success -The techniques used were appropriate to the conveying of the message. -The elements of design and principles of art were used well and effectively. Level 4 (80-100%) -shows knowledge about an activist issue with a high degree of effectiveness -project shows exceptional understanding of the activist issue being explored Student is able to use excellent photoshop techniques in an exceptional manner for the assignment. - communicates an effective/ accurate insight to the activist issue being dealt with. Good presence of critical analysis. -Effective evidence of juxtaposition, shock value, humour or satire and other communicative techniques to express intended message. Proposal, MLA Style Bibliography and research included and no mistakes are present -there is a high degree of evidence of the message. The opinion being expressed is clear and evident. -Activist issue being dealt with is discussed to a high degree of knowledge. - Excellent use of artistic symbols to communicate ideas. Critique: Student discusses their own work and those of peers. - Adobe Photoshop techniques used for the artistic piece creates was an excellent choice for art piece’s success -The techniques used were appropriate and highly effective to the conveying of the message. -The elements of design and principles of art were used in an excellent and highly effective manner.
