VISUAL ART
Concept
The Dimensions of
Form
Year 11
Focus
Context
Instrument
Social Comment
Reaction
Folio of Work
Appraising 3
(formative)
Student Name:
Conditions:
Teacher Use Only:
Bibliography - 20% book and article + 80%www
referencing. Include illustrations of artworks.
Comparative analytical exposition (third person).
Double spacing
Due date requirements met
/ not met
Draft (where applicable) attached / not attached
Present as hard copy and on USB
Length: 800 – 1000 words plus images and in text
Due date requirements met
/
not met
referencing
Grade:
Subject Teacher: L. McClelland
Due dates:
Notes due:
Mon 4 August
First draft due: Mon 18 August
Second draft in computer lab: Wed 27 August (?)
Due Date: Appraising 8 Due: Mon 9 September
(6 weeks)
You are required to use the Harvard Referencing system or APA to acknowledge your source of ideas. The details can be found
at http://www.library.uq.edu.au/training/citation/harvard_6.pdf.
Student Declaration: I declare that

No part of this assignment has been copied from any other person’s work, including the internet, except where
due acknowledgement is made in the text.

No part of this assignment has been written for me by any other person except where collaboration has been
authorised by the teacher concerned.

I hold a copy of this assignment which I can produce if the original is lost or damaged.
Signed:
_________________________________________
Date:
_________________________________________
N.B.
If an assignment is submitted without signing the declaration student has the responsibility
of explaining to the teacher why declaration has not been signed. If the above declaration is
found to be false, appropriate action will follow. This will include the need for the students
to produce a new alternate assessment item.
Teacher comment:
APPRAISING CRITERIA
A
B
C
D
E
critical analysis,
interpretation,
evaluation and
effective synthesis
of information
about visual
language,
expression and
meanings in
artworks,
emphasising the
interrelationship
between the
chosen focuses,
contexts and
media relevant to
concepts
critical analysis,
interpretation
and evaluation
of information
about visual
language,
expression and
meanings in
artworks,
relevant to
concepts,
focuses,
contexts and
media
analysis and
interpretation
of information
about visual
language,
expression and
meanings in
artworks,
relevant to
concepts,
focuses,
contexts and
media
consideration
of information
about
meanings in
artworks
relevant to
concepts,
focuses and
media
an independent
and informed
viewpoint
substantiated by
comprehensive
and insightful
research,
development,
resolution
a considered
viewpoint
justified by
effective
research,
development,
resolution and
reflection
a viewpoint
justified by
adequate
research,
development,
resolution and
reflection
an opinion
based on some
research,
development,
resolution and
reflection
some research
to identify
artworks
consistently
accurate and skilful
use of relevant
visual art
terminology,
referencing and
language
conventions.
skilful use of
relevant visual
art terminology,
referencing and
language
conventions.
use of relevant
visual art
terminology,
referencing and
language
conventions.
occasional use
of suitable
visual art
terminology
and language
conventions.
use of some
language
conventions.
description
and
classification
of artworks
related to
concepts and
media
Choose one of the questions below:
1. Write an analytical exposition in which the art work of Mika Rottenberg is contrasted
with that of Cao Fei, on the subject of Consumerism. Refer to a particular example by
each artist in reference to their philosophical perspective, and the communication of
meaning through media choice and use of art elements and design principles. Discuss
the cultural and art historical context informing each artist’s visual expression. Both
artists work within the conceptual framework. Make reference to the characteristics
of conceptual art seen in these artists work.
2. Write an analytical exposition in which the art work of George Gittoes is contrasted
with that of either George Basselitz, Anslem Kieffer, or Max Beckmann, on the
subject of War. Refer to a particular example by each artist in reference to their
philosophical perspective, and the communication of meaning intended through
media choice and use of art elements and design principles. Specific references need
to be made to the context, to interpret the stylistic form.
3. Or, compare and contrast the work of two contemporary artists who have influenced
your work (you may not have already written about these in previous appraisings).
These artists must be approved by your teacher.
Specifically, the art works selected to analyse and interpret must be concerned with a
social issue, and you must explore the materials, processes and procedures the artist
has deliberately chosen. And their influence on meaning in the art work.
Discuss the use of art elements and design principles selected by the artists to express
their reaction to the global concern – a universal social condition, e.g., change brought
about by loss of customs, technology, dispossession or power struggles.
Possible art works to examine: Sally Smart, Takashi Murakami, Sterlac, William
Kentridge, Gordon Bennett, Jeff Koons, Guerilla Girls, Andrew McLeod, Ai WeiWei...
Procedure 


Research and explore the two artists and then chose an artwork of each. Create a
Venn diagram to organise your thoughts. – differences on each side with similarities in
overlapping section.
Introduction:
Introduce each art work, and identify and classify the artwork in terms of school,
movement, style, format etc, noting the historical/philosophical or cultural context
each was created in. Describe each artwork in terms of what you see. Make brief
comment on fundamental similarities and differences.
Analyse each art work – use the art elements and design principles to explain what is
communicated and how. Make specific reference to aspects of the art work – these
detail justify your statements.





Interpret each artwork. Now you can link use of art elements and design principles to
what is actually communicated because you have evidence, found within the art work.
The use of a quote by an art expert or from the artist himself will further justify your
interpretations.
The Conclusion. Make comparisons, detailing the major similarities and differences.
Link your discussion back to the question with your judgement about the intended
communication of meaning expressed or impact of each art work. Be sure to include
your personal opinion, perhaps about the aesthetic qualities, or about the
effectiveness of the artists’ methods to communicate his thoughts as they have made
you think.
Reflect on your essay’s effectiveness. Have you linked statements about meaning to
specific evidence? Have you stated the key ideas?Have you made close reference to
the artworks by pointing out detail in the use of art elements...
Make improvements after submitting the draft.
Have you effectively synthesized the breadth of information to summarize your key
ideas. Make improvements. Do this again after receiving the essay back after the draft
has been marked.
Characteristics of contemporary art:

Satire (the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or
deriding vice, folly, etc.)

Hybrid - In art forms, hybridity could mean the blurring of traditional distinct
boundaries between artistic media such as painting, sculpture, film, performance,
architecture, and dance. It also can mean cross-breeding art-making with other disciplines,
such as natural and physical science, industry, technology, literature, popular culture, or
philosophy. Hybrid art forms expand the possibilities for experimentation and innovation
in contemporary art.

irony in visual form (Poignantly contrary to what was expected or intended: madness,
an ironic fate for such a clear thinker.)

message and impact through concept and text (words in art)

revolution: changing what people think and accept

the shock of the new!

symbolism and metaphor

appropriation (Artists appropriate when they borrow images from other artists and
then make their own meanings by altering something)