How do we criticize a work of art?

When can we pass judgment on a work of art? The answer is simple! Once we consider all aspects of the work of art, we are then educated enough to evaluate its artisanship and its effect on the observer (or reader).

Aesthetics A branch of value theory which studies sensory or sensori-emotional values, also called judgments of sentiment or taste. Aesthetics is closely allied with, or perhaps synonymous with, the philosophy of art. What makes something beautiful, sublime, disgusting, fun, cute, silly, entertaining, pretentious, discordant, harmonious, boring, humorous, or tragic?

The foundation for the study of aesthetics was laid by the Greeks Plato felt that beautiful objects incorporated proportion, harmony, and unity among their parts. Similarly, in the "Metaphysics" Aristotle found that the universal elements of beauty were order, symmetry, and definiteness.

When we legitimately criticize art (including prose, dance, film, etc When we legitimately criticize art (including prose, dance, film, etc.) we are not condemning, devaluing, or ridiculing... EXAMPLE OF WHAT NOT TO DO: I have the same skills to create that piece of artwork, and I am not an artist. Therefore, this is not creating art, this is garbage.

How do we criticize a work of art? Describe the work of art. Analyze the Design Interpret the Meaning Develop a thesis for the work of art

Identify the items that can be seen and heard in the works of art and literature. What is it? Learn the terminology relating to those items. How is it put together? Understand how and why what we perceive relates to our response. How does it stimulate the senses? Choose to respond in aesthetic terms.

Describe the work of art Inventory the subjects in the work of art, and discuss the elements in the work of art. Discuss the elements included, and why they are included

Analyze the Design Ask yourself how this work of art is organized. Use the “principles of art” to communicate how and why the artist is presenting the artwork to the viewer. Do not pass judgment on the work of art yet. State what the work of art is trying to do.

Interpret the work Balance is achieved by horizontally dividing the sky and the city buildings, which reduces visual confusion while looking at the picture. However, the absolute simplicity of the artwork fails to convey the busy, rushed atmosphere of our modern cities. The artwork actually works against its message of modernity by being too simple.

Develop a thesis State the general content of the work of art, and include its overall purpose. Sum up the work of art’s content and purpose in one sentence. HINT: Develop the thesis after completing the analytical steps

THESIS: The lack of color forces the viewer to consider modernity rather than nature. She uses straight and relatively close lines that unify the entire scene. Balance is achieved by horizontally dividing the sky and the city buildings, which reduces visual confusion while looking at the picture.

There are many schools of art criticism There are many schools of art criticism. Each evaluates how content and form function together to communicate a message. Formal – only what is there Contextual – add related information Structuralism – analysis of patterns in the work Deconstruction – take it apart

The artist depicts a simple, yet clear example of many of our cities’ modern skylines. The lack of color forces the viewer to consider modernity rather than nature. She uses straight and relatively close lines that unify the entire scene.

Sample formal criticism: The artist uses hard, straight lines to depict the architecture of the skyline.

Sample contextual criticism: The artist uses hard, straight lines to depict the advanced architecture of the modern, metropolitan skyline.

Sample structural criticism: The artist uses repetition of hard, straight lines to depict the pattern of advanced architecture in the modern, metropolitan skyline.

Sample deconstruction criticism: The artist of the modern era uses hard, straight lines to depict the advanced architecture of the modern, metropolitan skyline showing the hardness of life.

EXAMPLE: The artist depicts a simple, yet clear example of many of our cities’ modern skylines.

Interpret the meaning of the art work. Explain what the work of art is trying to accomplish. What is its message? You may do this in two ways. Simply complete Steps Two and Three, and then explain what the work of art is trying to say. Intermingle the meaning of the work of art as you discuss the content, elements, and principles.

Once you complete these steps you can place judgment on the work of art. Remember, you must use your earlier analysis of art to successfully prove your judgment.

Does a work have to be beautiful to be art?

“Nighthawks” by Edward Hopper

“Campbell’s Soup Can” - Andy Warhol