Formal Analysis Assignment

1) Print off these instructions and the Formal Analysis Guide before you go. 2) Perform a detailed formal analysis of a single work of art WHILE YOU ARE IN FRONT OF THE WORK. a) This is an exercise in looking. Therefore, any discussion of the artist’s biography, historical context, or your personal experience will not be counted towards the word count. b) Your essay should include a discussion of all the elements and principles listed in the Formal Analysis Guide, and discussion of the medium used by the artist. c) To organize your essay, your overall argument and conclusion should address how the artists used the principle of emphasis. d) Your essay should be 1000-1500 words. 3) Turn in an image of the artwork with your essay. 4) Turn in a picture of yourself in front of the artwork or the museum as proof of having visited. CHOOSING AN ARTWORK: For the purposes of this assignment please chose your artwork carefully. No copies or reproductions! In other words, the work must be one of a kind. It must be a work that is publicly exhibited and the main purpose of the object is to be art. For this assignment, the work must be a painting, sculpture, or drawing. Places where works of art can be found: Parks Public buildings such as churches, city and federal government buildings, and hospitals. Museum of Art or an Art Gallery This EXCLUDES items whose main purpose has some other function – Such as: A car Taxidermy Furniture Crafts Holiday decorations Historical exhibits at a history museum Scientific exhibits at a science museum Any other exhibit at a non-art museum or non art-related institution (such as NASA.) Ballet or other dance performance Music/ Musical concerts If you have concerns about the art you have chosen, send a picture and ask before turning it in. Some DFW Area museums and galleries are listed below. Always check out the website before you leave for hours, fees, and parking. Some places offer discounts for students. Fort Worth Modern (Contemporary Art) Kimbell Art Museum (Fort Worth, variety of art) Dallas Museum of Art (variety of art) Meadows Museum (Spanish art and modern sculpture on SMU campus) Nasher Sculpture Garden (modern sculpture) Amon Carter Museum (American Art – Fort Worth) UTA’s Art Gallery (Student art) Arlington Museum of Art (Local art)