Properties of Art The categories we use to evaluate art when we are performing the steps of criticism

THE PROPERTIES Categories of Aesthetics for Critique Sensory Properties: This is the category that refers to what you SENSE about the art-especially with seeing and touching….here we observe the ELEMENTS of art Formal Properties: This is the category where we evaluate how well the elements and principles are used to make composition-we really focus on the PRINCIPLES here… Technical Properties: This is the category where we talk about how well the work is crafted and the media used to make it… Expressive Properties: This is the category where we assess the idea the art is trying to communicate or the mood we feel is being shown Reflective Properties: This is the category where we look at what the piece can tell us about the person who made it or the culture it comes from:

STEPS OF CRITICISM DESCRIBE: what you see-consider SENSORY/TECHNICAL PROPERTIES ANALYZE: what you see-consider FORMAL/TECHNICAL PROPERTIES INTERPRET: what you see-consider how the other properties combine to create EXPRESSIVE PROPERTIES JUDGE (SYNTHSIZE): what you see-consider if the properties have used successfully and what the REFLECTIVE PROPERTIES are saying

Let’s try it: in 6:00 partners:

Can be applied to any visual criticism….

TRY IT WITH RSVP: DESCRIBE: what you see-consider SENSORY/TECHNICAL PROPERTIES ANALYZE: what you see-consider FORMAL/TECHNICAL PROPERTIES INTERPRET: what you see-consider how the other properties combine to create EXPRESSIVE PROPERTIES JUDGE (SYNTHSIZE): what you see-consider if the properties have used successfully and what the REFLECTIVE PROPERTIES are saying

How do Properties of art play a role here?

GALLERY CRITIQUES! You go to a gallery…. You get proof you were there-with a date and signature or the “gallery card” from the show Must be a permanent collection at a museum like the VMFA OR a current artist exhibit that is up for a short period of time You take notes on ONE WORK you choose using the Steps of Criticisms and the properties You present that information into 4 paragraphs and turn in at the end of the 9 wks on a printed page with a gallery card

Property #1 SENSORY PROPERTIES This is the category that refers to what you SENSE about the art You use your five senses to do this Touch Taste Hear Smell See

Vocab for Sensory Properties Elements of Art: The building blocks of art. Line: A mark that shows the distance from one point to another. Shape: A 2D space enclosed by line Geometric Organic

Elements Cont… Space: The area an image takes up and the area around an image in a composition. `Positive Space: The area an image takes up Negative Space: The area around the image

Elements of Art cont… Color: The element of art that describes the reflective qualities of an image… Texture: How something feels to the touch or how it looks like it feels. Value: The difference between light and dark AND the transfer from light to dark Form: A 3D shape.

We discuss sensory properties when we… ARE IN STEP 1 OF CRITICISM…. DESCRIBE

Property #2 FORMAL Properties: This is the category where we evaluate how well the elements and principles are used to make composition- We can really talk about the principles here: Balance Emphasis Movement Contrast Unity

PRINCIPLES OF ART Balance: The visual weight & its distribution in a composition Contrast/Variety: Differences between the elements in a composition Movement: The path the eye follows around a composition Emphasis: An area or areas in a composition that stand out more than others. Rhythm: The visual beat in a work of art, usually pattern. Proportion: The relationship of sizes within a work of art. Unity: The elements and principles combining together to create a whole. (overlapping/repetition)

We discuss Formal Properties when we are…. In Step 2 of criticism…. ANALYZE

Property #3 TECHNICAL Properties This is the category where we talk about how well the work is crafted and the media used to make it…. We might discuss: Clean edges Construction Sturdiness Brushstrokes Use of materials like: Chalk Pencil paint

We discuss Technical properties of art when we…. Are in STEP 1 & 2 of criticism: DESCRIBE ANALYZE

Property #4 EXPRESSIVE Properties: This is the category where we assess the idea the art is trying to communicate or the mood we feel is being shown: We might talk about: A political message A feeling the piece gives us The purpose of an advertisment The mood of the colors used

We discuss Expressive Properties when we are in: STEP 3 of criticism: INTERPRET

Property #5 REFLECTIVE PROPERTIES: This is the category where we look at what the piece can tell us about the person who made it or the culture it comes from: We might talk about: Who we think the artist was What kind of person they were What type of community/subculture they come from What they cared about What they think art is What the society they come from cares about What the society they come from thinks art is

We discuss Reflective Properties when we are in: STEPS 3 & 4 of criticism: INTERPRET JUDGE

Using the Properties in the steps of Criticism Sensory Properties Formal Properties Technical Expressive Reflective Describe I see lines Analyze Clean edges Interpret What it means Judge Does it communicate well?