Historical Inspiration/Abstraction
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OBJECTIVE:
Identify similarities between a chosen art movement’s ideals and aesthetics (Surrealism, Abstraction / Expressionism, or Minimalism) in found and/or constructed scenes from downtown Chicago. Shoot 1 roll of film – your choice of color or black & white that reflect the movement in art history you have chosen. Printed images may be digitally constructed and manipulated through Photoshop or printed traditionally in the darkroom. Be prepared to include an artist statement that will help explain the intension of your photographs and the processes you used to convey your era.
Shooting ASSIGNMENT _ 1 roll (24 exp. film or 35 exp. digitally)
Consider composition, light and your final intensions carefully when shooting and choosing image situations for your chosen era. Remember that your images can be manipulated post-shooting to help illustrate your visual intension. An artist statement and reflection will be required to help explain your images and their technical relationship to the movement in art history that you are emulating.
Print or construct 2 separate images, which reflect the same movement in art history (surrealism, minimalism, or abstract expressionism)
Artist STATEMENT
The artist statement should be 1-2 paragraphs and address the following:
VOCABULARY/Related Terms
Aesthetics - The philosophy of beauty. Also refers to the visual qualities in a work of art.
Ideals - A concept of something in its absolute perfection.
Abstract - Any art that does not represent observable aspects of nature or transforms visible forms into a pattern resembling the original model.
Expressionistic - Term describing a work of art in which forms are created primarily to evoke subjective emotions rather than to portray objective reality.
Surrealism - subconscious or non-rational significance of imagery arrived at by automatism or the exploitation of chance effects, unexpected juxtapositions, etc.
Abstract Expressionism - a movement in experimental, nonrepresentational painting originating in the U.S. in the 1940s, with sources in earlier movements, and embracing many individual styles marked in common by freedom of technique, a preference for dramatically large canvases, and a desire to give spontaneous expression to the unconscious.
Minimalism - A school of abstract painting and sculpture that emphasizes extreme simplification of form, as by the use of basic shapes and monochromatic palettes of primary colors, objectivity, and anonymity of style. Also called ABC art, minimal art, reductivism, rejective art.
Artist Statement - A written piece from an artist which explains their intention and rational for creating a body of work.
Identify similarities between a chosen art movement’s ideals and aesthetics (Surrealism, Abstraction / Expressionism, or Minimalism) in found and/or constructed scenes from downtown Chicago. Shoot 1 roll of film – your choice of color or black & white that reflect the movement in art history you have chosen. Printed images may be digitally constructed and manipulated through Photoshop or printed traditionally in the darkroom. Be prepared to include an artist statement that will help explain the intension of your photographs and the processes you used to convey your era.
Shooting ASSIGNMENT _ 1 roll (24 exp. film or 35 exp. digitally)
Consider composition, light and your final intensions carefully when shooting and choosing image situations for your chosen era. Remember that your images can be manipulated post-shooting to help illustrate your visual intension. An artist statement and reflection will be required to help explain your images and their technical relationship to the movement in art history that you are emulating.
- Choose a movement in art history: Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism or Minimalism.
- Identify attributes of your chosen movement from art history, which would apply to your choice of format for your imagery.
- You will be graded compositionally on how your interpretations relate to the historical movement as a set of TWO (diptych); so look for elements that relate as a set to each other and the movement of your choice.
- Shoot 1 roll of film – your choice of color or black & white that reflect the movement in art history you have chosen.
- Each image should be strong compositionally and consider light carefully. Think about your shots and how they will translate to the final project. (Please note that if you are shooting surrealistic imagery you may be combining shots for the final product.)
- BE CREATIVE! HAVE FUN!!! Remember to incorporate what you already know to get the most interesting compositions because you will be required to include an artist statement to help explain the intensions of your photographs as they relate to the processes you used to depict your area in art history.
Print or construct 2 separate images, which reflect the same movement in art history (surrealism, minimalism, or abstract expressionism)
- Size: 8x10 - You may compose any way you feel best suits your particular image.
- Both images must be presented as a set or diptych in which both images are meant to relate to each other
- Mat and hang your images for presentation/critique (you may use my pre-made mattes)
Artist STATEMENT
The artist statement should be 1-2 paragraphs and address the following:
- The art historical movement you are addressing, and why it is relevant today
- Your artistic choices (digital or traditional, layered or constructed images, etc)
- The rational for your artistic choices (why did you do it?)
- Does this series either reinforce your usual working style, or go against it?
VOCABULARY/Related Terms
Aesthetics - The philosophy of beauty. Also refers to the visual qualities in a work of art.
Ideals - A concept of something in its absolute perfection.
Abstract - Any art that does not represent observable aspects of nature or transforms visible forms into a pattern resembling the original model.
Expressionistic - Term describing a work of art in which forms are created primarily to evoke subjective emotions rather than to portray objective reality.
Surrealism - subconscious or non-rational significance of imagery arrived at by automatism or the exploitation of chance effects, unexpected juxtapositions, etc.
Abstract Expressionism - a movement in experimental, nonrepresentational painting originating in the U.S. in the 1940s, with sources in earlier movements, and embracing many individual styles marked in common by freedom of technique, a preference for dramatically large canvases, and a desire to give spontaneous expression to the unconscious.
Minimalism - A school of abstract painting and sculpture that emphasizes extreme simplification of form, as by the use of basic shapes and monochromatic palettes of primary colors, objectivity, and anonymity of style. Also called ABC art, minimal art, reductivism, rejective art.
Artist Statement - A written piece from an artist which explains their intention and rational for creating a body of work.