Reding Visual Arts Module (Finals) PDF

SAN MATEO MUNICIPAL COLLEGE Gen. Luna St. Guitnang Bayan I, San Mateo, Rizal Tel. No. (02) 997-9070 www.smmc.edu.ph REDING VISUAL...

SAN MATEO MUNICIPAL COLLEGE Gen. Luna St. Guitnang Bayan I, San Mateo, Rizal Tel. No. (02) 997-9070 www.smmc.edu.ph REDING VISUAL ARTS MODULE (FINALS) AUTHOR'S MEANING - The Author's Meaning refers to the creator's objectives and messages delivered through their artwork. It entails understanding the artist's motivation, ideas, and feelings behind their work. ARTIST'S MEANING - It emphasizes that the artist's meaning is their personal interpretation and understanding of their work. Artists often use their creations as a form of self-expression, sharing their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Exploring the artist's meaning provides insight into their goals and their unique perspective on their work. Example of Van Gogh's "The Starry Night" - "The Starry Night" as an example, highlighting how different interpretations can emerge from understanding the artist's personal context. It mentions Melanie Lee's interpretation of the painting as a reflection of Van Gogh's inner turmoil and emotional intensity, with the cypress tree symbolizing his anguish and the peaceful village representing society's ignorance of his struggles. EXPERT'S MEANING - It also introduces the concept of 'Expert's Meaning,' which refers to the interpretations and analyses made by art critics, scholars, and specialists. These professionals apply their knowledge and skills to analyze artworks, considering diverse artistic styles, symbolism, and cultural references. They provide insightful and diverse viewpoints, enhancing our understanding of the artwork's value. A. Visual Language This is a tool that readers must have. It is reading visual arts through looking at the artwork’s message, code, and symbols. B. Constructive Meaning This is reading visual art using one’s experience and perspective to interpret and read art. It is responding to a visual art form as a reader. TOOLS FOR READING VISUAL ARTS - It concludes by highlighting two key tools used by both artists and experts in interpreting visual arts: Visual Thinking - This cognitive process uses visual elements to generate, organize, and communicate ideas. It involves understanding and interpreting visual information like colors, shapes, and composition, helping viewers grasp the artist's visual language and its impact on the meaning of the artwork. Critical Viewing - This involves actively analyzing artworks, considering their artistic value, cultural significance, and societal impact. It requires knowledge of artistic techniques, aesthetics, and historical context, enabling informed opinions and a deeper appreciation of visual arts.  AUDIENCE MEANING - Reading visual arts from the perspective of the audience when examining artworks. - Audiences are usually seen as groups of people who collectively or individually read, watch or hear works of art. TYPES OF AUDIENCES VARY BASED ON THE SETTING AND THE LEVEL OF INTERACTION THEY HAVE WITH THE ARTWORK LIVE AUDIENCE: Present in-person at performances or exhibitions, such as concerts or theater, directly influencing the atmosphere and potentially affecting the performance's energy and tone. REMOTE/VIRTUAL AUDIENCE: Engages with art digitally through streaming or recorded performances, allowing for accessibility and broad reach, though with reduced direct interaction with the artists. TARGETED AUDIENCE: Artists create with a specific demographic in mind, focusing on factors like cultural background or artistic interests to make the work more resonant and meaningful for that audience. GENERAL AUDIENCE: Broad, diverse group with varying levels of familiarity with the art form; works aimed at them are usually accessible and designed for wide appeal, such as public art or blockbuster films. PARTICIPATORY AUDIENCE: Actively involved in creating or interacting with the artwork, blurring the line between observer and creator in immersive, interactive installations or public art projects. WHEN EXAMINING ARTWORKS, AUDIENCES USE TWO MAIN TECHNIQUES TO DECODE MEANING Visual Language: A system of communication through visual elements like shapes and colors that help viewers perceive and interpret visible signs in artwork, such as in a painting. Constructive Meaning: Using personal experiences and perspectives to interpret art, allowing viewers to respond to visual art based on their unique viewpoint, like a reader interpreting text. THE IMPORTANCE OF AUDIENCE TO IGNITE ARTISTIC CREATIVITY 1. Validation - It provides the artist with a sense of purpose, confirming that their artworks hold significance and make a meaningful impact on others. 2. Feedback - The audience’s feedback is incredibly valuable to artists. They offer unique perspectives and insights that the artist may not have considered before. This feedback plays a crucial role in the artist’s growth and improvement, as they can learn from the audience’s reactions and viewpoints. 3. Connection - “We are less lonely when we connect. Art is connection.” — Nikki Giovanni, American poet and writer. This creates a powerful connection between the artist and the audience, enabling them to understand and empathize with each other. Through their artwork, artists tap into universal themes and emotions that resonate with a diverse range of individuals. 4. Sharing - Brazilian artist Romero Britto once stated, “Art is too important not to be shared.” Sharing art with an audience allows for a collective experience. It creates a shared language through which people can communicate and connect, through the barriers of language, culture, and background. The act of sharing art creates a cycle of creativity and inspiration, while also promoting a sense of community and collective experience. 5. Making a Living - The support of an audience can provides financial stability and the means to sustain their artistic career. It transforms their passion into a viable profession, allowing them to dedicate their time and energy to their artistic pursuits. DEFINITION OF VISUAL ANALYSIS ○ Visual analysis is a method of understanding art that focuses on an artwork’s visual elements, such as color, line, texture, and scale. It is a description and explanation of visual structure for its own sake PURPOSE OF VISUAL ANALYSIS ○ The purpose of a visual analysis is to recognize and understand the visual choices the artist made in creating the artwork. By observing and writing about separate parts of the art object, you will come to a better understanding of the art object. LEVELS OF VISUAL ANALYSIS The "levels of visual analysis" is a guide that will help you analyze visual arts. Visual analysis helps you understand art through the visual elements, visual structure, formal properties, content, and meaning. LITERAL DESCRIPTION is a process in which relevant data is identified and gathered from a piece of artwork. Students are encouraged to observe and describe the features of the artwork carefully. In the process of literal description, students' concentration and focused observation can be strengthened. COMPREHENSIVE FEELING is owing to individual differences in experiences, knowledge, and personal feelings about a piece of artwork shaped by associations and imaginations. In a broad initial appreciation of a piece of artwork, students are encouraged to freely express their feelings and opinions toward the artwork to enhance communication and explore a range of perceptions. FORMAL ANALYSIS is based on the literal description of and comprehensive feeling toward a piece of artwork. When using formal analysis, the students may: a. examine how the visual elements are combined according to the principles of an organization; b. examine how compositions achieve certain effects; c. analyze the image sources and image-development strategies used in the artwork; d. identify the materials used to create the image and the processes and technologies applied; e. recognize the signs and/or symbols used; and f. identify cultural or stylistic aspects represented in the artwork. INTERPRETATION OF MEANINGS is drawing from personal experience and information acquired from formal analysis and the contextual knowledge about the artwork such that students can reflect on, discuss, and interpret the embedded messages of the artwork in its context. VALUE JUDGMENT is drawing on all the above. Wherein students can make reasonable, effective, and comprehensive judgments about the significance and value of the artwork. ELEMENTS OF FILM CRITICISM Narrative analysis involves a detailed examination of the story elements that comprise a film, including its narrative structure, and characters. This analysis seeks to understand how these components interact to create a cohesive story. A theme represents the central message of a film, often categorized into two distinct aspects: the thematic concept and the thematic statement. The thematic concept reflects what the audience perceives the work to be about, while the thematic statement articulates the filmmaker's perspective on the subject matter. Acting - Critiquing an actor's performance or acting involves evaluating their consistency in portraying character traits, ensuring that their actions align logically with the character's journey and the overall narrative arc. Assess how effectively they convey emotions. Emotional authenticity is crucial, with the actor's reactions needing to feel genuine and appropriately matched to the intensity of each scene. (Acting Styles and Techniques in Cinema | Film Criticism Class Notes | Fiveable, 2024) Cinematography encompasses various visual elements, including lighting, framing, composition, camera angles, and lens choices, all of which contribute to the film's overall aesthetic. The importance of cinematography lies in its ability to establish the look and mood of a film’s visual narrative, shaping how the story is perceived by the audience. In criticizing the sound and music used in film criticism, focus on how these elements contribute to the overall atmosphere, emotional tone, and storytelling. Evaluate whether the sound design enhances the narrative by emphasizing key moments, creating tension, or reflecting characters' internal states.  APPROACHES TO FILM CRITICISM 1. Formalism Approach - This approach analyzes a film based on its structure, including its lighting, cinematography, angles, tone, setting, characters, mise-en-scène, and message. In this approach, sociological, cultural, linguistic, mythological or historical impact, or background is ignored. The formalist approach relies heavily on the form of the film, not on culture, history, and social ideals. Example: Ang Babae sa Septic Tank follows the formalist approach to film criticism by using satire, exaggerated characters, and self-referential humor to critique both the film industry and societal issues. The film’s focus on cinematic techniques, such as grotesque imagery and narrative manipulation, emphasizes how meaning is created through its form and structure rather than just its content. (“Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank:” a Critique, 2023) 2. Auteur Approach - The term "auteur" means "from the author." This approach examines the film from the perspective of the director as the dominant figure influencing the film. Example: Star Wars exemplifies the auteur approach in film criticism through George Lucas’s distinct creative vision and personal style. Lucas blends elements from various genres—fairy tales, space operas, Westerns, and adventure stories—into a cohesive narrative with strong characters and groundbreaking special effects. (Star Wars Movie Review & Film Summary (1977) | Roger Ebert, 2024) 3. Historical Approach - This approach investigates films in the historical context. It looks into the past events and relates these events to the film. It also looks into the historical developments. Example: Heneral Luna takes a historical approach in film criticism by portraying real events and figures from the Philippine-American War. The film focuses on the life and leadership of General Antonio Luna, emphasizing historical accuracy in its depiction of key players and the nation's struggle for independence. It highlights themes like heroism, betrayal, and nationalism, reflecting the historical tensions within the Filipino resistance. (Miralles, 2021) 4. Feminism Approach - The feminist approach looks into the roles of women and how they are portrayed in the film criticizes how women are seen in a society where they are either dominant in life or less prevalent. According to Smelik the feminist approach's main goal is to understand cultural practices that represent and reproduce myths about women and femininity. Example: The Iron Lady embodies a feminist approach in film criticism by portraying Margaret Thatcher not merely as a political figure but as a complex woman navigating a male- dominated world.ultimately inviting viewers to reflect on the gendered perceptions of power and femininity. (Bradshaw, 2012) 5. Sociological/Cultural Approach - Sociological perspectives are based on traditions and culture. This aspect of film considers the history, people, culture, and practices of a particular group. This approach is not concerned with the technicalities of the film but rather with the analysis of identity, institutions, and social contexts. Example: Crazy Rich Asians serves as a sociological and cultural approach in film criticism by exploring themes of wealth, class, and cultural identity within the context of a predominantly Asian cast. The film highlights the disparity between Western and Asian perspectives on wealth. It critiques the pressures of familial obligations, the complexities of cultural heritage and empowerment for Asian communities in Hollywood. (Lawson, 2018) 6. Mythological Approach - This approach focuses on the myth of a certain group of people. "Myth" refers to a society's shared stories involving gods and mythical creatures. Furthermore, using this approach means looking into the involvement of gods and goddesses and how they revolve in the film. Example: Oedipus the King exemplifies a mythological approach in film criticism by exploring universal themes of fate, prophecy, and the inevitability of tragedy, rooted in ancient Greek mythology. (Review: Oedipus the King by Sophocles, 2018) 7. Marxism Approach - Marxist theory is one of the oldest forms of film theory. Marxism is the struggle between classes, which is often embodied in power struggles between the characters. Usually, the capitalist in the film is either evil and has ultimate power or exploits the working class or the poor. Example: Titanic can be viewed through a Marxist lens by highlighting class struggle and societal inequalities in the early 20th century. The film contrasts Jack, a lower-class artist, with Rose, a wealthy woman, showcasing their romance as a challenge to social norms. It critiques the class divide by portraying upper-class passengers as selfish while depicting lower-class characters as noble and heroic. The sinking of the Titanic serves as a metaphor for the consequences of capitalist excess, illustrating that wealth cannot shield individuals from fate. (Yeisha Dawa, 2023)