TXA 125: Art and Visual Thinking

Charlotte Jirousek, Instructor

ASSIGNMENT: TAKE HOME EXAM

DUE FRIDAY OCTOBER 11

OBJECTIVE: To test your understanding of the terminology of the principles and elements of design by applying that language to the discussion of works of art.

This paper does not require library research. It is to be based on your direct observations of two specified works of art, interpreted in terms of the principles and elements of design as presented in the course lectures and listed below.

FORMAT- READ THIS CAREFULLY!!
IT COULD AFFECT YOUR GRADE

One purpose of these rules is to manage the amount of writing you will do and the amount of reading the TA will have to do. If everyone in this class went one page over the required length, that would be an extra 50 pages of reading for us to do! From experience I know the assignment can be done very well in the specified length, and not successfully below the minimum length. Also editing to the appropriate length is an important writing skill that you should be demonstrating here and in any written assignment.

1. 3 TO 5 PAGES IN LENGTH . This means no less than 2 1/2 pages and no more than 5 full pages. Papers that do not meet the minimum length will be returned ungraded for resubmission ( and counted as late); any pages above 5 will not be read or included in calculating the grade.

2. DOUBLE SPACED : We will check. If it is doublespaced, one and only one line of the same type will fit between your lines without touching them.

3. 12 POINT TYPE with 1" margins on all sides. These are the defaults in most wordprocessing programs, so unless you change it, there should be no problem. If yours is set wrong and you don’t know how to set the type size or margins correctly, get help with this.

4. Do NOT use a purchased cover . Type a cover sheet giving your name, course number, and title of paper. STAPLE (NO PAPER CLIPS) the cover sheet and paper with one staple in the top left corner. Bring it to class already stapled and ready to turn in, as we will not have a stapler. will not be accepted. They will be returned for revision, and if returned, will be counted as late after Oct. 11.

Grading: Your grade will be based on your ability to appropriately apply all of the concepts listed below and covered in the lectures and text. Organization, writing skills and compliance with the guidelines in this assignment will count. Lateness will affect grade. Please refer to your syllabus regarding lateness policies.

TERM PAPER CONTENT: You are to select one of the pairs of paintings listed below and write a paper about the pair, comparing and contrasting them in terms of all of the following points:

Elements and principles of design:

ELEMENTS

PRINCIPLES
The artist's handling of the medium: what materials are used, and how are they applied? What effect do materials and technique appear to have on the impact and style of the work?

The artist's handling of the subject matter or motif: Discuss the style of the work in relation to what it appears to communicate or express. The instructor chose this pair because they had a common subject matter,but handled differently in each example. What is the common subject matter? How does the artist utilize the principles and elements to suggest his or her attitudes or feelings in relation to the subject matter? What sort of a response does he attempt to elicit from the viewer?

Your personal response to the paintings: What do you like or not like? What sort of feelings or ideas do these works elicit in you (if any)?

Due FRIDAY Oct. 11

ARTWORKS

All artworks are located in the Johnson Museum. Gallery locations are indicated below. Museum hours are 10-5 Tuesday-Saturday and 12-5 Sunday, closed Mondays.

Select one of the pairs given below:

Select one of the pairs given below:
PLEASE RESPECT ANY RESTRICTIONS ON PHOTOGRAPHING THE ARTWORK

1. 1. (Floor 5) Rama, Lakshmana, and their Guru Attacking a Female Demoness and her Two Demon Companions. Artist unknown. 1859. Indian, Bengal. .
AND
2. (Floor 1L – the painting nearest the elevator) Untitled, 1999. Laylah Ali. American. James Casebere, New York, NY.

OR

1. ((Floor 1) Liegende auf Leopardenfell (Woman Lying on a Leopard Skin). Otto Dix. 1927. German.
AND
2. (Floor 2L) 31 Flavors Invading Japan/French Vanilla IV. Masami Teraoka. 1979. Japanese.

OR

1. (Floor 2L) Old Pine. Francis Gearhart. c. 1922. American.
AND
2. (Floor 2L) Maple Leaves at Mama, Tekona Shrine, and Linked Bridge. Utagawa Hiroshige. 1857. Japanese.

OR

1. (Floor 2L) Wilhelm Mozer. Ludwig Hohlwein. 1909. German. (

AND
2. (Floor 2L, Lecture Room Lobby) Enemy Alien #2. Roger Shimomura. 2006. American.

Questions or comments? Let us know at caj7@cornell.edu.