Introduction:
Think of yourself as an arts critic, who views shows (art, music, performance) and uses critical analysis to report your findings. Go to a live performance (choir, orchestra, play, musical, dance or performance art) or an exhibit (gallery art show or museum). Create a PowerPoint presentation (include photos, video clips and/or sound, if possible) of your experience and critical analysis
In your presentation, you will give a critique of the event you attended.
For our purposes, your critique will be a written presentation used to analyze, describe, and interpret works of art, music, and/orperformance.
There are four major areas of art criticism: description, analysis, interpretation, and judgment. These areas are listed below along with some questions for you to think about before, during and after attending your event. Your critique/presentation should cover each of these areas. Although every question may not pertain to the event you attend, you should use these as a base for your critique. You may feel the need to add questions to each area based on the event you attend.
Description
Describe the work/event without using value words such as "beautiful" or "ugly":
What is the written description on the label or in the program about the event?
What is the title and who is (are) the artist(s)?
When and where was the work created?
Describe the elements of the work (i.e., line movement, light, space, rhythm, etc...).
Describe the technical qualities of the work (i.e., tools, materials, instruments).
Describe the subject matter. What is it all about? Are there recognizable images, sounds, etc...?
Analysis
Describe how the work/event is organized as a complete composition:
How is the work constructed or planned (i.e., acts, movements, lines)?
Identify some of the similarities throughout the work (i.e., repetition of lines, two songs in each act, etc...).
Identify some of the points of emphasis in the work (i.e., specific scene, figure, movement).
If the work has subjects or characters, what are the relationships between or among them?
Interpretation
Describe how the work/event makes you think or feel:
Describe the expressive qualities you find in the work. What expressive language would you use to describe the qualities (i.e., tragic, ugly, funny)?
Does the work remind you of other things you have experienced (i.e., analogy or metaphor)?
How does the work relate to other ideas or events in the world and/or in your other studies?
Judgment or Evaluation
Present your opinion of the event/work's success or failure:
What qualities of the work make you feel it is a success or failure?
Compare it with similar works that you think are good or bad.
What criteria can you list to help others judge this work?
How original is the work? Why do you feel this work is original or not original?
Media
Where it is necessary in your presentation, please include photos, videos and/or sound. The event you attend will dictate whether or not these are necessary and whether or not you are allowed to take photos, video and/or record sound. Please respect the wishes of the presenters and artist/s regarding this.