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

2. 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:

3. 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

4. Let’s try it: in 6:00 partners:

5. Can be applied to any visual criticism….

6. 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

7. How do Properties of art play a role here?

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.

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

14. 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

15. 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)

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

17. 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

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

19. 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

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

21. 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

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

23. 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?