Art Unit 2
Outcome 2: Art making and contemporary culture
In this area of study students explore areas of personal interest related to culture and contemporary practices. They use the art process and experiment with visual language to develop, present and document their ideas. Observations, imagination, ideas and concepts inspired by cultural or contemporary sources, such as the artists and artworks being studied in Area of Study 1, may be starting points to experiment with techniques, materials, processes and art forms. Students use all the Analytical Frameworks as appropriate to analyse visual qualities, concepts and meaning in their artworks and to document their artistic practice in a visual diary. They reflect on their own art making, and identify and discuss how they have used the art process and developed their visual language. Students examine and discuss their artistic practice and reflect on how cultural and contemporary aspects are evidenced in their artworks.
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On completion of this unit the student should be able to use the art process to produce at least one finished artwork that explores social and/or personal ideas or issues. To achieve this outcome the student will draw on key knowledge and key skills outlined in Area of Study 2.
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Key knowledge
• the visual language used to communicate issues and ideas of personal, cultural and contemporary interest using the art process
• the qualities and characteristics of selected materials and art forms and how they may be used to present concepts and images
• the use of materials, techniques, and processes in art forms
• the Cultural Framework and Contemporary Framework, with other Analytical Frameworks as appropriate, to support documentation and reflective annotation as they apply to art making
• terminology used in documentation and annotation.
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Key skills
• produce visual responses to cultural and contemporary ideas and issues through exploration and experimentation using the art process
• explore and document the use of media, materials, techniques, processes and art forms and investigate how these can be used to create artworks, taking into consideration contemporary approaches
• develop skills in artistic practice using the art process
• use visual language and manipulate the technical and expressive qualities of art forms to produce at least one finished artwork
• document artistic practices in a visual diary
• apply the Cultural and Contemporary Framework and other Analytical Frameworks as appropriate, in reflective annotation in art making.
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READ:
Ch 5 of the Art-ifacts Textbook
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What we are actually going to do:
In Unit 1, we learnt about how art can often be interpreted as a reflection of the artist's beliefs and feelings. The focus of Unit 2 is the ways in which art and culture are intertwined. As we know, art varies from culture to culture and from time to time. Within this unit, you are being asked to explore and discuss ways in which art reflects the broader cultureal landscape of the artist and how it might be influenced by location, beliefs, time and traditions surround the creation of the artworks.
We will explore a range of ways in which artists explore themes of relevance that are braoder than the artist's persoanl world.
Some such themes include:
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War/conflict
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Mother & child/family
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Identity
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Home/sense of belonging
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Sustainability & the environment
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Wealth & power
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among others
You also learnt about the Artistic Process:
- Artist Statement
- Brainstorm
- Artistic Inspiration
- Research
- Artistic Trials
- application of Structural and Personal Frameworks
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Throughout Unit 2, we will be working on a 'Mini Year 12' to cover the outcome and create a folio as well as 1 final artwork.
The process will include the above, and extend to include:
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- Exploratory folio of artistic trials
- application of Contemporary and Cultural Frameworks
- Artwork Production
- Final artwork presentation
- Evaluation
- Didactic Panel
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You will have free choice for your Big Idea or Concept for Unit 2 and should choose a medium that you feel you would like to specialise in.
You will, however need to discuss this with your teacher as you need to be able to apply the contemporary & cultural frameworks to your exploration.
Throughout this outcome, you will be analysing and interpreting the work of at least 4 artists, comparing and contrasting the ways in which they communicate different cultural contexts for meaningful comparison.
Choose artworks in consultation with your teacher - a linking theme (ie War) will assist in cohesive comparison and analysis.
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Was your topic too broad last time?
As you research, consider the artworks that you have selected. You will begin to form opinions about them and the meanings they hold. You need to use evidence to support and justify these viewpoints and opinions.
Evidence may be in the form of:
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visual cues or details within the subject matter, technique, style
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wider research about your artist, time, cultural context, including political situation, social environment, etc
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Cultural Framework
The Cultural Framework is used to identify the influences on an artwork of the time, place and cultural and political settings in which, and purpose for which, it was made. These influences may include historical, political, social, socioeconomic, artistic, technological, environmental and religious contexts as well as aspects of ethnicity and gender. Students must consider the following questions:
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• How do the social, political, cultural, artistic and/or religious contexts of the artwork contribute to its meaning? How have historical or contemporary events shaped the intention of the artist or our understanding of the artwork’s meaning?
• How do values, beliefs and attitudes reflect the social context of the time the artwork was produced? How do these values, beliefs and attitudes compare to the values of today?
• How does the cultural background of the viewer influence the interpretation of an artwork? How does the placement or location of artworks affect their interpretation?
• What are the symbols or metaphors explored or utilised in the artwork that contribute to the meanings and messages?
• How was the artwork reviewed or critiqued during the time in which it was made? Was the work considered challenging or innovative?
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Contemporary Framework
The Contemporary Framework can be used to interpret an artwork, irrespective of when it was created, by looking at it from a current viewpoint. Artists have explored common ideas, concepts, questions and practices to examine their own context, and to describe their personal world and imagine their future through the artworks they make and view. The Contemporary Framework is used to examine art ideas and issues originating in the late twentieth century onwards and apply these ideas to artworks in a range of periods of time and cultures. Contemporary art and ideas can relate to the use of new media and technologies, and to diverse and alternative approaches to making and presenting art. Students should consider the following questions:
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• How have contemporary art ideas and issues challenged traditional understandings of artworks and their significance?
• What are the symbols or metaphors from contemporary culture utilised in the artwork and how do they contribute to its meanings and messages?
• How does the placement or location of the artwork in a setting other than the intended setting impact on its meaning and value?
• How might the original context in which an artwork was placed influence its meaning and purpose?
• How is the artwork of the past interpreted from a contemporary point of view? How does this differ from the way it was interpreted when it was made.
• Has the role of the audience changed when viewing and interpreting contemporary artworks and if so, how? How are contemporary artworks that involve collaboration or participation of the viewer affect their interpretation? How does this differ from traditional ideas about viewing and experiencing artworks in museums and galleries?
• What new media or technologies has the artist used to make or produce the artwork?
• What is the impact on the viewer of new media applications or technologies and other emerging art forms?
• How has the internet, virtual technology and augmented reality changed the way artworks are viewed and presented? How has social media changed the way audiences view art? How does this differ from traditional ideas about viewing and experiencing artworks in museums and galleries?
• How does the choice or presentation of subject matter, or media, materials, and techniques or processes reflect or challenge artistic or social traditions?
• How have collaborative approaches to art making changed the way in which the role of the artist is seen?
• How might the original context in which an artwork was made change in its meaning or purpose for the contemporary viewer?
• What political concerns such as globalisation, and environmental and social issues, are expressed in the artwork? How do these concerns challenge and influence the viewer’s interpretation of artworks?
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(VCAA, Art Study Design, p.10-12)
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Helpful stuff:
Joan Ross, The Claming of thinkgs, Digital Animation 2012
Source: Hendy-Ekers et al, Art-iculate, Cambridge University Press, Melbourne, 2010