• Dissanayake, What is Art For?
• Ellen Dissanayake, What is Art For?

Please consult me if you wish to pursue further reading on any subject matter covered or if you have any questions concerning this course.

LAB FEE

There will be a $4.00 materials fee for this course.

COURSE WEB SITE URLS

Art 103 web site
Sayre text website

OFFICE HOURS

Wed and Fri 10:00-11:30 am or by appointment.

My office is in the 1937 Addition in the Art Complex.
E-mail: fkane@oberlin.edu
Telephone: x8672.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

All work must be completed in order to pass this course.

Projects:

I. What is a Work of Art: due Sept 08
II. How Images Work: due Sept 15
III. Ways of Telling Stories: due Sept 22
IV. Portrait: due 29 Sept and 01 Oct
VI. Sculpture Carving: due Nov 03

Quizzes:

Explore the ancillary information stored on the Sayre text website for chapters 1 - 10 of your text. Submit one question from the critical analysis and one from the essay exam section for each chapter during the week that chapter is assigned for class.

Midterm Exam and Final Project:

TAKE-HOME MIDTERM: due 17 Oct
Write a 5 page book review of Dissanayake

FINAL PROJECT: due by end of Reading Period
Research project on a specific artist who is represented in the Allen Memorial Art Museum

READING ASSIGNMENTS

Project I: "Work of Art" Essay

Due: 08 Sept 1997

What is a "work of art"?

This assignment has two parts:

1. Go into the Allen Memorial Art Museum*, select a "work of art" and write a short (250 words or less) justification for your choice.

2. Select one "work of art" outside of any museum or gallery and write a short (250 words or less) justification for your choice.

*Museum hours:
Tu - Sat - 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sun - 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Closed Mondays and Holidays

Project II: How Images Work

Due: 15 Sept 1997

Write a concise (three page) analysis of an advertisement, preferably a colored one, taken from a magazine or a newspaper. How does it communicate its message? Note everything contributing to its design. Consider such factors as the choice and placement of images, the use of scale and color, the style of the typeface, and the quality of the paper. What visual elements are important in its design?

In addition to a formal analysis of the advertisement's graphic layout, consider the symbolic relationship between the words and images used. You probably already know what this advertisement means, therefore, it may be difficult for you to separate your "subjective" responses from your "objective" analysis. Imagine that you are explaining this advertisement to someone who has no understanding of American culture.

Turn in the advertisement with your analysis.

Project III: Ways of Telling Stories

Due: 22 Sept 1997

This assignment has two parts:

1. Go into the Allen Memorial Art Museum and find one object dated before 1900 A.D. that depicts a myth or story.* Write a short synopsis of that myth or story. Next, make a comparison of how the story is told in its visual and written forms--do you think it is best told via one means rather than the other?

2. Choose either a. or b.:

a. Find a contemporary (twentieth century) equivalent to the myth or story that you have chosen in part 1.

b. Find a contemporary (twentieth century) object in the Allen Memorial Art Museum that depicts a myth or story and write a short synopsis of its story.

*The reference sections in Mudd and the Art Library both have mythological handbooks and dictionaries which you can consult.

Project IV: Portrait

Due: 29 Sept and 01 Oct 1997

This assignment has two parts:

1. DUE 29 SEPT: make a portrait of yourself or someone else you know personally and bring it to class. You may use any format as long as it is portable. You will exchange portraits with a classmate.

2. DUE 01 OCT: write a brief analysis (1-2 pages) of why the work you have been given is a portrait. What do you think the intentions of the artist were? Be prepared to discuss your analysis in class.

Project V: Sculpture Carving

Due: 03 Nov 1997

Using the foam block that you have been assigned, carve a three-dimensional sculpture of a figure, either human or animal.