1. Section 1 HSC VA Paper- Half Yearly Exam Prep
Year 12 Visual Arts
Section 1 HSC VA Paper- Half Yearly Exam Prep

2. Section 1- What to study??? Modernism to Post Modernism Case study
Art Through History Case Study
Powerpoints and Case Study 1 booklet
Homework Tasks- take note of feedback given
Handbook of Art Textbook – read through relevant sections to our current Case Studies
Exam prep notes and sample papers

3. Section 1
Section I provides you with an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge
of the key areas of content from the syllabus.
Read the questions carefully - consider which area of content each question is addressing: practice, the conceptual framework or the frames.
Read all of the supporting material, such as the citation under the plates and any additional text.
Identify key art movements and characteristics from the Case studies Modernism-Post Modernism and Art Through History as these will form the basis of section 1 for this paper. Use key terms learnt to demonstrate the sophistication of your understanding.
When answering questions from Section I
Always refer to ALL of the source material in your answer.
Follow the recommended times for each question.
Note the marking value for each question

4. Section 1 Structure
Section 1 is comprised of 3 short answer questions, worth a total of 25 marks.
In the past the question has been structured like this:
Question 1 – worth 3-10 marks
- write approx 1- 2 pages
Question 2 – worth 3-10 marks
Question 3 – worth 10 or more marks
- write approx 2 -3 pages
Last year the HSC paper changed and the mark values for each question were different. It is important that you make note of how much each question is worth before you attempt the question. Do not spend too long labouring over a question worth only 3 marks.
You should be attempting practice Section 1 questions from past papers (available from past theory class and on BOS website). Time yourself and practice writing succinct answers in this time frame
Start each new question on a new booklet. You can use as many booklets as you need

5. Answering the question
Section 1 questions are essentially testing your Unseen Artwork Analysis Skills.
They are intended to be answered in a straight forward manner. This means:
Read the question carefully. What is it asking you?
Identify the content area. This should be evident by the language used in the question. There will be one Frames question, one Conceptual Framework question and one Practice question.
Carefully study the Sources. What can you see? You should be familior with the kind of works in this exam with some challenges and unexpected sources. Identify relevant themes from art historical and critical knowledge learn in theory in case studies so far. Look for clues hidden in the artwork and in the extracts.
Read the artwork details carefully. These are found either under the artwork or to the side of the artwork. Students who do not succeed in this area typically have not read or understood the given material. In your 5 minutes reading time, make sure you carefully read this information.
Read the extract. Is the source provided? Is it relevant? What clues about the artwork, artist, world or practice are given to you? How can you incorporate it into your response?

6. Answering the question
Do not write an essay-style introduction for any Section 1 answer. They are short answer questions so use the language of the question to start (but do not rewrite the question)
Once you have identified the content area and read all the provided information, focus on answering the question. No waffle! (i.e. unrelated information that skirts around the content but does not say anything of value)
Students who succeed in this section do not simply describe what they can see, they describe the work using rich language and unpack the work based on the requirements of the question using relevant art vocabulary. They also interpret the extract and link it to the artwork and question.
Students who do poorly in this section usually just describe the works and rewrite the extract. They do not interpret the work or extract or link he two together. In general – they do not answer the question!

7. Answering the question
Write with specific reference to examples not with sweeping general statements
Comment on the dominant characteristics of the artwork- what makes it unique?
Don’t expect the examiner will assume any of your knowledge- you have to prove it by writing it! This may mean stating what you think is obvious
Use paragraphs, and proper grammar
Enjoy writing about art! Visual Arts is awesome! 

8. IMAGES- WHAT TO WRITE?? Describe artwork using art language
Link to question by referring to evidence in the artwork
Link to content area by identifying what is being questioned and link to evidence in the work
Use key words and language that relates to the content area
Make connections and comparisons between sources that relates to the question
Analyse and interpret to achieve marks use historical and critical knowledge learnt in theory
Acknowledge that more than one point of view is possible in interpretation

9. EXTRACTS- WHAT TO WRITE?
Introduce and quote from extract or text in a source. Explain what the quote means in relation to question
Analyse and Interpret the extracts content in order to achieve marks
Consider the date, publication and audience for the extract and how this may have effected the style and point of view of the writer. Eg Art in Australia, Sydney Morning Herald, Art History text, Art & Asia Pacific etc

10. How to write about quotes?
Example: As stated in Extract 1, the artist “ate the artwork after final production”. This means that the artwork no longer exists in physical form and can only by known by the viewer through photo-media documentation. This departure from the traditional art object is a post modern characteristic as it can no longer be commodity on the art market or exhibited in traditional means.
Link extracts to artworks to help establish connections between sources. Eg: `The artwork can therefore only be known to exist through documentation as evident in Plates 1 and 2 where the work is shown prior to consumption.’

11. General tips
Don’t waste time re-writing the question of source text and information- you achieve no marks for this!
All comments made must be relevant to the question
You will only achieve marks for your own interpretation and analysis not description
Once you have made a point of analysis don’t repeat it- you will only achieve the mark once
Vary your language and use art terms
Do not abbreviate words- no etc, eg ... Write numbers under 12 as words (one, two three)
Do not say `things’ `done’ `stuff’ or use slang words like `sort of’ `kind of’

12. Content Areas

13. Practice What is Practice? Practice has three key areas –
Art making (the “doing”)
Art criticism (the analysis evaluation and interpretation of artworks)
Art history (the historical influences, art movements and styles)

14. How to identify a Practice Question
Look at the words in the question:
Is it asking you about an artist’s practice, or the practice of critics and historians, or both?
Does it ask you about what artists do, why or how they do it?
Does it identify material & conceptual practice as the focus for the question?
Does it ask you about the choices and actions of the artist?
Identify the focus for the question and then address the question, the image/s and any other supporting material through your understanding of Practice.

15. Frames Post Modern Structural Subjective Cultural
It is important that you understand these frames and use language relevant to each frame when answer a question from this content area. Doing this shows the marker your depth of understanding and sets you apart from the other students. Read your notes!!

16. How to Identify a Frames Question
Look at the words in the question:
Do they fit within the description of any of the frames?
Identify the appropriate frame and then address the question, the image/s and any other supporting material through your understanding of that frame.

17. Conceptual Framework
The conceptual framework or four agencies of the artworld consists of:
Artist
Artwork
Audience
World
These four agencies are interlinked and rely on each other to survive in the artworld and emphasises that artworks are not “created in a vacuum” but that the artist is affected by the world and the audience of the time.

18. How to identify a Conceptual Framework question
Look at the words in the question:
Do they identify the agencies of the artworld, the Artist, Artworks, the World, or the Audience as the focus for the question?
Identify the focus of the question and then address the question, the image/s and any other supporting material through your understanding of the conceptual framework.

19. Section I – A simple approach
Briefly introduce your response – 1 sentence
Identify the Content area and its focus – 1 sentence 
Describe the source artwork OR extract – 1 sentence 
Analyse and Interpret the source in terms of the question and content area – write approx one point for each mark - approx paragraph per source
Artworks – analyse in terms of materials and idea/concept
Extract – analyse in terms of concept and writing style/intention (why). Quote and explain the meaning of some of the
Extract (eg Extract 1 states “…” therefore it can be understood that…)
Compare common features of all sources to the question and content area – this helps achieve a higher result overall
Briefly conclude your response- 1 sentence

20. Structural Frame:
Design elements and principles
Architectural purpose and site
Scale and relationship with Louvre cultural site
Symbolism of pyramid & use of materials – glass
Process of design: plan, model and completion

21. Cultural Frame
Key points:
- Gender- subject matter
Time and place – Modernist context 1880’s
Impressionist Art style- materials and techniques
Nationality and cultural experience of the artist

22. Good luck!! You will be fine 