Visual Arts A Guide to the HSC

Introduction Preparation for the exam - a brief overview The Case Studies – all five The Frames The Conceptual Framework Interpreting images Writing an art essay What to do next The exam Advice to surviving the Visual Arts HSC Exam.

Preparation for the exam Revise your: Case studies & Artists Frames Conceptual framework Look over the notes given to you in class. Take an hour to revise some of the other artists As a point of reference To practice your art interpretation To get you into the art ‘zone’.

The Frames show you how to understand artworks and artists Postmodern The Frames – in brief The Frames show you how to understand artworks and artists Postmodern Ideas that challenge the mainstream. New technology, digital media, installations etc. Use of Irony, wit and appropriation Cultural Cultural & social meanings including - race, gender, religion, ideology, politics Subjective Personal response, personal experience Structural Principles and Elements of Art How it was made and why

Conceptual Framework – in brief World The past, present and future The world of the audience/artwork Technology Politics, events Artwork Design qualities Form, materials, composition symbols Audience Changes over time Critics, historians, curators, the viewer Artist Influences, intention Related works Lifestyle, beliefs, personal issues

Case study 1 – Postmodernist Art Art movement beginning c. 1980 – now Uses methods of irony and parody of quotation and appropriation. Questions the boundaries of society challenging of traditions and the past Has no rules and follows no traditional art movement – almost anti-art Artworks can involve the audience in the debate and the audience can place the own interpretation on the artwork. Some significant artists – Ricky Swallow, Rosemary Laing, Ron Mueck, Jeff Koons, Gordon Bennett, Mark Handforth.

Case Study 2 – tracey moffatt Challenges ideas about aboriginality Uses film, photography, video, installation Highlights issues specific marginalised group (white mother/black father) Juxtaposes images from different times as in Night Cries Common themes such as identity, celebrity, history

Case study 3 – agencies of the artworld Exhibition review Art Critics – Map the ways in which different meanings are represented in artworks Evaluate key aspects of the artwork Decipher signs, symbols and codes in the artwork Show the audience the relevance of an artwork Art Historians – Interpret historical works Study subject, style and genre, Explore the dynamics of the past and their influences on later events Investigate attitudes of the time Artmaking practice - Evolution of the artist’s philosophy Development of the ideas and concepts Application of technologies Style, subject matter, genre Development of personal signs and symbols that articulate the artist’s interests and beliefs

Case study 4 – Contemporary female artist Barbara Kruger is a postmodern artist who uses advertising images, text, installation and video to make the audience question the mainstream authority of governments and advertising Patricia Piccinini addresses our relationship with the environment and technology and the effects on the animal and human worlds Yayoi Kusama deals with the world of fantasy and the extraordinary thorough painting, installation, photo-collage and drawings.

Case study 5 – Artist from NESB Sophie Calle explores the personal experience through film, photography, and collections of objects and memorabilia Her work is postmodern in that it challenges the traditional notion of photography, and often involves the actions of others in the creation of the work

Interpreting image Comprehend and interpret Be visually aware – ability to look at artworks with a analytical and discriminating eye Use all information provided The details of the artwork such as The title – may provide important information The date – provides historical context Materials Quotes – if provided Add another layer of meaning Also provide perspective

Interpreting image Indicates conceptual framework (b) What can you infer about the relationships between artworks and audiences from these photographs (Plates 2 and 3)? Buildings & people indicates dimension Explains context Plate 3: Photograph of audience viewing Jeff Koon’s installation, Puppy, 1996, steel, live flowers and soil, 12 × 2.5 × 6.6 m, in front of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Circular Quay, Sydney. Materials and how they are used

Interpreting image Provide detailed justification to support your response Explain features of artwork Provide sufficient visual evidence and explain the relationship to your argument Present a critical interpretation Discuss key ideas that you have deduced Discuss any influences, connected art movements, cultural issues etc

Interpreting image Plan, Plan, Plan, PLAN!!!! Read the question carefully – Misinterpretation of the question is a fatal mistake that can be avoided by scrutinising the question and planning a response. Don’t regurgitate all the information you know only what is relevant. Substance not quantity. Justify your stance – provide specific examples in your analysis to support your argument.

Go to SACSnet and use the resources to make final notes on What to do next Make an appointment with your teacher to discuss anything that needs clarifying. Go to SACSnet and use the resources to make final notes on Case studies (know your artists!) In Class and the Art History work – 5 case studies revised Individual (your own artists) Frames Conceptual Framework Do practice questions from Past exams see Board of Studies Website http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/hsc_exams/ Excel Visual Arts in a month book

The Exam 1 ½ hours long Use the reading time carefully before starting – mentally planning your attack Two sections - 45 minutes each The exam provides hints Gives an indication on how much time to allocate on each question. Gives guidelines on what the responses should contain Spend a few minutes planning your responses on each section – you can write your notes on the exam paper. Assess the value of the question to ensure you don’t spend too much time OR don’t write enough.

The Exam Section 1 Section 2 parts a, b & c. Generally there is a combination of a frame question, a conceptual framework question and a practice question. Interpretive question Based artworks that you have little knowledge of or have not seen before. You have to interpret them using all information available for example quotes, images and information regarding images. Section 2 essay question 3 different sections Practice Conceptual Framework Frames

advice to surviving the VA Exam READ THE EXAM QUESTION – what is it asking? How do you answer it? Sleep the night before DON’T stay up all night studying!! A sleepy student is not an alert student! (You know I mean You!) READ THE QUESTION!!!!!!!!! Don’t panic – you do know the answer – you just have to use your brain (that’s the grey stuff between your ears.) READ THE QUESTION!!!!!!!! Study hard and Good luck to you all.