#1 One critique will be written about a sculptor who was born and made art BEFORE 2000.
You can select any sculptor from the textbook unless they are one of the artists that are represented in the ART21 series. No overlapping.
#2 The other critique will be written about one of the SCULPTORS who are included in any of the ART21 Seasons from the PBS series, ART21.
www.pbs.org/art21/ (Look under-Artists, Make sure its a sculptor!)
In order to avoid overlaps, you must write your artists name on the sheet that is posted for that purpose in the art room. Include the date, first come first serve.
See the rubric in the syllabi for more details.
I. Describe- A list of what you actually see.
II. Analyze- Sentences that address the use of the Art Elements and the Design Principles. As many as possible!
III. Interpret- Paragraphs. What you think the artwork means or is trying to communicate based on the above.
IV. Evaluate- Paragraphs. Your informed opinion. Is this work successful? Does it have value?
ONE image of the artwork you are critiquing.
THREE additional images of the artists other work.
Mark D. James
ReplyDeleteFebruary 12, 2015
3D Design Critique
Structural Expressionism
Memorial Drive, St. Louis Missouri, United States
Completed October 28, 1965
630ft x 630ft
There really is no first glance at this piece. Whether in person, or by way of any kind of picture, one cannot help but notice the absolute size of it. Depending upon the angle and brightness of the sun, the arch looks to be of a gray or silver, and in some cases white. It has an over-all shape that can be seen as the beginnings of a dome. Plus, when seen at the proper angle and/or up close, it can be noticed that the arch has a triangular shape. The arch itself creates a sense of negative space within it, while still showing structure. Although it may seem very simple, the design and craftsmanship are beautiful.
Not only did Saarinen and Bandel displayed great dedication to the design of this artwork, but they also showed real love and devotion to art itself. I believe that the St. Louis Arch is one of the top accomplishments of modern three-dimensional design. It has stood for fifty years already and will stand for at least fifty more.
The arch is the tallest memorial in the United States and the tallest stainless steel monument in the world. The cross-sections of the arch's legs are equilateral triangles, narrowing from 54 feet (16 m) per side at the bases to seventeen feet per side at the top. Each wall consists of a stainless steel skin covering a sandwich of two carbon-steel walls with reinforced concrete in the middle from ground level to three hundred feet, with carbon steel to the peak. The arch is hollow to accommodate a unique tram system that takes visitors to an observation deck at the top. The structural load is supported by a stressed-skin design. The arch is resistant to earthquakes and is designed to sway up to nine inches in either direction while withstanding winds up to one hundred fifty miles per hour. The arch was built as a monument to the westward expansion of the United States and stands for “the pioneer spirit of the men and women who won the west, and those of a latter day to strive on other frontiers.”
As many works of art have done so, the St. Louis Arch has become a great symbol of our past and future, while also displaying a wondrous feet of mathematics, construction and wonderful art. Three dimensional art is everywhere around us. This piece is just one of a countless many. More importantly though, I believe the arch to be about connecting two worlds and overcoming those things that would keep us from gaining strength together. Yes, of course it is a beautiful work of art in that it contains so many elements of it. Structure, positive and negative space, and the cross-sections of its legs are equilateral triangles, which shows the extra details of shape. Once again, at first it may seem like it is just something that is very large and hard to build, but while this may true, there is so much more to it than that.
Geodesic Dome
Biosphere 2
Air Power Park