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Art History 101

Visual Analysis Writing Assignment &
Formal Analysis

Due Date: Friday, October 17, 2014
(at the time of class; hand in hard copy to your assigned grader)

Length: 3 pages, double space (800 words), 12 point font, 1 inch margins and the type
should be either Times Roman; denote the # [number of words] of your essay at the
bottom of the final page.

Name, Assignment and Grading Group: place this is the upper right hand corner AND
staple all the items together.

GOALS
Complete a detailed VISUAL examination of an object from your book, refer to
the object list, which will be uploaded on UNM LEARN
Gain an understanding of the methods of visual analysis and why this type of
examination is valuable
Hone your skills of seeing & LOOKING as well as writing & critical thinking
Evaluate the power of images, what do images or sculptures communicate? Can
you detect meaning from just the physicality of an object?
Essential to understanding is the power of images (and objects, such as sculpture
and architecture), is to directly experience the work.
In this assignment you both DRAW and WRITE your analysis. By applying these
two forms of seeing the object, you will gain a more thorough understanding of
the Formal Elements and Principals of Design = the Forms that make-up an art
object.


******Do not consider symbolism (iconography) in your analysis.

OBJECTS
You will not get credit for this assignment if you choose an object not on the list.

ASSIGNMENT
Part of the analysis is writing 3 pages (800 words) and the other is to draw the object (an
invaluable part of the process of seeing, looking and experiencing). Turn both the
drawing and the written essay in on October 17 [at the time of class] Staple them together.

******Do not consider symbolism (iconography) in your analysis.

Drawing
The drawing must be turned-in with the written portion of the assignment. You will not
be judged on your aesthetic abilities but I suggest you make the drawing visually
comprehensible and take some time to do this aspect of the assignment. A 5 minute
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drawing will yield a written paper that is a D+ at best, as the act of drawing and writing
are related. In order to render a careful image you need to take the time to really look at
the object and see IT.



HOW TO COMPLETE THIS ASSIGNMENT

1). Description:
A short description of the object marks the beginning of the process. This will include
talking about the date, material (media), size (approx) general form, physical features,
color, shape, texture, provenance (where it came from). This level of seeing is like an
inventory of what you see and requires a high degree of detail. A basic description will
accompany your drawing but will surpass the drawing because you are sculpting the
object with your words. Make the work live for your reader.

2). Your Analysis Will be based on a series of Questions

A. How do the components of the work create a meaningful whole? How does the work
communicate? How would a person interact with the object (is it hand-held or large, how
might it have been seen {above or below}
How does the work Mean in other words, how does the work make meaning purely
through its physical features, what story does it tell? Visual Clues?

B). You will organize the paper around a thesis statement that reflects your point-of-
view. This statement can be in the form of a question, a broad statement or an
observation. This statement will be the central argument of the paper and should also help
you to organize your writing. This idea is based on what you have observed and what you
think are the messages of the work.based on its forms ONLY.

C). Visual Meaning can be derived from looking and considering the work and its
composition. Ask yourself what is the works primary visual focus? Why? What is
being portrayed, what is the subject? What is in the foreground, background, middle-
ground of the work, if this is applicable?

D). What visual clues inform how you to read the work? Think about point-of-view here,
as well. Is time a factor in viewing the work? In a large piece, this would include a
discussion of scale(would include sculpture and painting or a utilitarian object) the
movement of light and shadow might have effected ones reading of the object, is there a
great amount of surface detail that would require great time to examine and read?

E). How does the work make you feel? Is it easy to look at? Naturalistic or abstract?
What attracted you to the work? Why?

F.) Speculate on who might the audience have been for the work

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G). Use the data from the description to then talk about how the object communicates and
your experience of the object, these observations will be informed by and organized
around your thesis statement

******Do not consider symbolism (iconography) in your analysis.



TIPS FOR SUCCESS:

Additional Resources will be uploaded to UNM Learn

There are numerous resources on the web that describe the basic features of a
visual or formal analysis. Sylvan Barnets book How to Write about Art, I will
place additional information on e-reserve blackboard for you as well. A successful
paper will be reflective your careful processes of SEEING.


Objects Found at the University of New Mexico Art Museum

Choose ONE object to draw and analyze for this Art Experience Assignment

Location: Center for the Arts, adjacent to Popejoy Hall

Hours: Tuesday Saturday 10-4

Admission: FREE

Museum Rules:
The Museum does not allow any photos to be taken in the galleries & no cell phones.
Take notes & draw with a pencil only.


CHOOSE ONE OBJECT FROM THIS LIST TO ANALYZE

(Using only its formal or visual elements, see Chapter 2 pp. 24-45 for a review of these
features; explanation of the Formal Analysis exercise p. 88)


Margaret Evangeline, JFK On Emergency Blanket, digital print on gold emergency
blanket, 2013

Raymond Jonson, Cloud Forms and Mesas No. 3, oil on canvas, 1928

John Tatschl, Pieta, woodcut, 1955

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Joel-Peter Witkin, Still Life: Mexico City, Gelatin Silver Print, 1992

Anonymous, Untitled, photo-sculpture (foto-escultura), photograph mounted on carved
wood, paint, tacks, Mexico, 20th century, c. 1940


******Do not consider symbolism (iconography) in your analysis.