In exploring how we, as the viewer, derive meaning from art, we learned how scholars often frame their analyses in specific ideological criticisms. In this assignment, you will be doing the same.
For your paper, you must match one of the following artworks with one of the following criticisms:
Formalist
Psychoanalytical
Relational Aesthetics
When selecting a criticism, make sure that you understand what makes that criticism unique. What is essential to that criticism? How do we see this with the artwork?
Once you have made your selections, you will write a paper analyzing your artwork, focusing on how the artwork exemplifies the criticism.
You must address the topics we usually address in your analyses (subject matter, formal qualities, subtext, symbolism).
While your textbook does explain these ideologies well, you may benefit from doing some outside research. Below are three articles that may assist you.
Art History Briefing: Formalism in Art
Psychoanalytic Literary Criticism: An Overview (Although it is framed for literature, the concept is transferable to art)
Relational Aesthetics – Critique of Culture and Radical Research of Social Circumstance
Your paper should be 600-1,000 words, with 12-point font, double-spaced, and have a works cited page(the works cited page is not included in your word count requirement—you can use MLA, APA, or Chicago, but make it consistent throughout the whole paper).
Regarding citation in your work, if you are discussing a topic you learned from an article or the textbook, you need to cite it (regardless if you are quoting it or just paraphrasing—both on your works cited page and inside your paper itself). If you are referencing someone else’s ideas, you must translate them into your own words. Intentional or accidental—if you plagiarize—you will receive a 0.
Be aware that I am asking for an analytical paper, not a descriptive or reflective paper. Your thoughts should be organized and not formatted as stream-of-consciousness (such as “I thought this, then realized this, etc.”).
If you find yourself stuck, please contact me for assistance.
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