Unit 2 Outcome 2
SAC: Ideas and styles in artworks
The official part:
‘In this area of study students focus on the analysis of historical and contemporary artworks. Artworks by at least two artists and/or groups of artists from different times and cultures are analysed to understand how art elements and art principles are used to communicate artists’ ideas, and to create aesthetic qualities and identifiable styles. Students develop an understanding of the use of other artists’ works in the making of new artworks, which may include the ideas and issues associated with appropriation such as copyright and artists’ moral rights. In analysing at least two artworks by each artist, students further develop appropriate art terminology and skills in researching and using a variety of references that may include visits to art galleries and museums, online resources, books, catalogues and periodicals. Students are encouraged to use visual material when presenting their approach.’
VCAA, 2017-2022 Studio Arts Study Design, p. 17
http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Documents/vce/studioarts/StudioArtsSD-2017.pdf
Outcome 2
On completion of this unit the student should be able to compare a range of historical and contemporary art periods, styles or movements, and analyse the ways in which artists communicate ideas, develop styles and demonstrate aesthetic qualities in artworks. To achieve this outcome the student will draw on key knowledge and key skills outlined in Area of Study 2.
Key knowledge
• the art elements and art principles used in artworks to create aesthetic qualities
• ways in which artists from different historical and contemporary times communicate ideas and meaning
• ways in which artists from different times and cultures have developed styles in their artworks
• the ideas and issues that may arise when artists’ work is used to make new artworks; this may include appropriation, copyright and artists’ moral rights
• the methods of research and inquiry, including a variety of references and appropriate terminology.
Key skills
• identify, discuss and compare the use of art elements, art principles and the presentation of aesthetic qualities in historical and contemporary artworks
• compare ways in which artists from different times and cultures communicate ideas and meaning in artworks
• compare the ways in which artists from different times and cultures have developed styles in their artworks
• discuss the ideas and issues that may arise in the use of other artists’ works in the making of new artworks
• use references and appropriate terminology
READ:
Studio Knack Textbook Ch 5
What we are actually going to do:
The SAC will be conducted over several classes, one question at a time in open book examination conditions, after whole class/teacher led discussion.
Within this discussion we will explore the textbook Ch5 and a range of resources relating to key discussion points and specific artists for discussion.
The SAC questions are structured as short answer responses and may include visual references to be included to answer the question.
Each question will be submitted at the end of the allocated session, including reference material and resources used.
How you are being assessed:
(Source: Gilligan, T &Grant, P, 2017, Studio Knack, p68)
Helpful stuff:
Appropriation:
Appropriation is the term used to describe/define a process in which an artist directly uses and, or refers to an existing artwork to build on and create their own and re-contextualized version of the original artwork.
(This differs from a work which is the 'original' work of the artist. Originality can be defined as a work which is seen as new and different to any other artist. In this case, the artist is seen as the sole creator of the work)
There are many reasons why an artist might appropriate the work of another artist, including:
- Transform an image or idea into a new context to create new meaning
- Question the concept of originality, and other artistic influences
- Critique established views about the nature of art
- Pay homage to a major source of inspiration for their own work
Some artists may be honored to have their work appropriated by another artist. Other artists may be offended, particularly if they feel that the artist has misrepresented their work or implied a contentious meaning.
*If an artist wishes to appropriate the work of another with permission, they must do so with a mind to copyright law as well as the Moral Rights of the artist, which are enshrined in law.*
Copyright & Appropriation:
Copyright:
Copyright law is legislation that exists to protect the legal rights of the artist in relation to the publication, reproduction, or public sale of an artwork. It gives the artist legal rights to protect their work from being plagiarized or reproduced without permission.
This legislation protects the unique way an artist has expressed an idea, not the idea itself, and is known as 'intellectual property'.
Where copyright exists, an artwork may not be reproduced in any way without permission.
In Australia, all original 'creative' works are AUTOMATICALLY protected under copyright law upon creation- you don’t have to apply for it.
Copyright assists in ensuring creators are properly attributed to their work, and rightfully remunerated.
In Australia, the Copyright Act (1968) protects the work of the original creator, from being copied without consent, for the term of the creator's life, plus 70 years after their death. After the artist's death, copyright passes onto the artist's estate
Copyright can be assigned to another party or individual under various circumstances because it is like property, which can be sold or assigned to another person.
Fair Dealing
In Australia, there are exceptions to gaining copyright, if it falls into the category of Fair Dealing.
This includes using the copyright material for:
- Criticism or review
- Parody or satire
- Reporting news
Licencing Agreements
If an individual wishes to use another person's artwork legally, they can pursue a licensing agreement. This is an agreement whereby an artist or lawful copyright owner can grant permission to another party to use material for a particular period of time.
Moral Rights:
Moral rights refer to the personal, legal rights an artist holds over their work, even if they do not own the copyright.
Since December 2000, Australian artists have had their moral rights protected under law. They can be enforced, just like copyright law, if an artist feels they have been infringed.
The difference is that Moral rights, unlike copyright, cannot be assigned or licensed to others, as they are personal rights belonging solely to the artist.
In addition, Moral rights last only for the life of the artist, and not beyond.
The Right of Attribution
This is the right of the artist to be identified as the creator of the work, and incorporates the right against false attribution. This means that a person who did not create the work cannot claim that it is their own.
The Right of Integrity
This is the right of the artist to protect their work and reputation linked with that work, from derogatory or prejudicial treatment. This means that a work cannot be treated in a way that would taint the perception of that work or the artist who created it.
Derogatory treatment can include mutilation or recontextualisation of a work which gives it a new meaning.
Practice SAC prep
Success Criteria:
I can...
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identify, discuss and compare the use of art elements, art principles and the presentation of aesthetic qualities in historical and contemporary artworks
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compare ways in which artists from different times and cultures communicate ideas and meaning in artworks
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compare the ways in which artists from different times and cultures have developed styles in their artworks
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discuss the ideas and issues that may arise in the use of other artists’ works in the making of new artworks (Copyright, Moral rights, Appropriation)
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Source information from various sources (ie books, internet, articles)
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reference according to the school diary requirements
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use appropriate terminology within my work
Tips:
If you want to get top marks for this and any other studio arts exam question - you need to have a lot of information to draw from and you need to be able to condense this information quickly and in a structured way.
You need to be prepared and you need to start asking yourself the right questions about artworks
Highlight the keywords in the question to ensure that you answer all parts.
Answer the question by using the terminology of the question!
Name drop! If you are talking about a gallery space or exhibition, demonstrate that you have physically been there by stating the artist, exhibition title, name of the gallery, curator's name, etc.
This is your moment to shine!
Ensure that you understand and apply art terminology from the current study design throughout; key terms such as Studio Process, Visual Language, etc
Didactic information derived from research and reading artwork info:
What type of artwork is it?
discipline- genre- subject- place within tradition/canon
Who made it?
name of artist- brief bio of artist- deeper understanding of artists intent and ideas- how does this artwork fit into the body of their work- quotes from artist etc
When was it made?
date- movement, location of making- culture and context- influenced by....links to other art forms, links to philosophy/science/maths etc
What else was happening in history at that time?
How was it made?-
materials, process, participants, patronage, commissioned etc etc
Why did the artist make the work?
what was their purpose and intent? what ideas were they trying to convey/explore?
Analytical information derived by looking closely at the image and thinking about what you see:
What can you see in the artwork? What can't you see? Why? list things that you can see and where you can see it - that's right, use evidence from the artwork - and describe relationships between components within the image.
Consider how these have bee created with a particular artistic style, and how they affect te aesthetic being communicated.