1. Visual Arts
A Guide to the HSC

2. 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.

3. 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’.

4. 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

5. 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

6. Case study 1 – Postmodernist Art
Art movement beginning c – 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.

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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
Excel Visual Arts in a month book

16. 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.

17. 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

18. 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.