Art Criticism Format:

Visual Arts StudioMrs. Wood, InstructorArt Criticism Format:Elements of Art: Line, Shape, Form, Space, Color, Value, TextureExcellent website of the elements of art based on the work of Goldsworthy:http://www.writedesignonline.com/historyculture/AndyGoldsworthy/overview.htmPrinciples of Art: Rhythm, Movement, Balance, Proportion, Variety, Emphasis,UnityStep One - Description: What do I see?1. Write the credit line: List the artist’s name, the title of the work, year the work was made,the size of the work and current location of the art work. Andy Goldsworthy, b. 1956.Knotted Stalks Pushed into a Lake Bottom, 20 February and 8&9 March 1988. DerwentWater, Cumbria.2. What is the subject of the work and what objects are included in the artwork? Or is theartwork “non-objective” (which means there isn’t an identifiable subject in the work)?Describe the subject and the objects included in the piece or if it is a “non-objective”work of art. “Knotted Stalks” is a non-objective work of art in which the elements are thefocus of the work. Goldsworthy uses only objects from nature, no man-made objects areused. In this piece, sticks are the primary objects used.3. Look at the elements of art in the art work. Do you see any lines in the work and whatkind of lines do you see? Circle the kind of lines you see: horizontal, vertical, diagonal,wavy, zig-zag. Describe where the lines are in the work of art: This piece is solely madeup of sticks (specifically “knotted stalks”) which create the lines.4. Continue looking for the elements of art in the work. Do you see any shapes (circle,triangle, square or free-form)? If so, list them: This piece is completely made up ofvarious shapes including triangles, squares, rectangles and a semi-circle. The reflectionfrom the water creates a complete circle in the center of the piece.Is the art work a two-dimensional work or three-dimensional work of art? If art isthree-dimensional, you will see forms rather than shapes. The actual sculpture is a threedimensionalpiece of artwork; therefore, a FORM. Within the sculpture (or FORM)shapes are created by the lines. This is a three-dimensional work of art.

Visual Arts StudioMrs. Wood, Instructor4. Is there are focal point in the art work? Circle Yes or No. Explain: An artist canemphasize colors, shapes or other art elements to create a focal point. Contrast can alsobe used to enhance the focal point. In this case, Goldsworthy uses a circle in the middleof the work to create emphasis. The dark sticks against the light background make thecircle more prominent.5. Does the artist use contrast in the work to make some areas stand out? Circle Yes or No.Explain: Contrast makes a piece more exciting visually. Andy Goldsworthy used darksticks against a light gray sky and motionless still gray water to make his work stand out.6. Does the artwork have a sense of unity (meaning all parts of the piece work together)?Circle Yes or No. Explain: Unity is the cohesive quality that makes an artwork feelcomplete and finished. Goldsworthy uses the reflection to complete the piece. TheStep Three – Interpretation: What is the artist trying to communicate?1. Do you think the artist created this piece to express personal feelings? Circle Yes or No(Personal Function) Why?This answer is a personal choice. Do you think Andy Goldsworthy created this piece toexpress his personal feelings about art and nature? Circle yes or no and explain in oneto two sentences, based on what you have observed and why you think yes or no.2. Do you think the artist created this piece to reinforce and enhance the shared sense ofidentity with family, community, or civilization? Circle Yes or No (Social Function)Why?This answer is a personal choice. Do you think Andy Goldsworthy created this piece toshare a sense of identity with his family, community or civilization? Think about thereligious pieces of artwork you have observed. Think about why those pieces werecreated. Think about the cave paintings or the totem poles. Is this what Goldsworthy istrying to do? Yes or No? In one or two sentences tell me why you think yes or no.3. Do you think the artist created this piece to express spiritual beliefs? Circle Yes or No(Spiritual Function) Why?The answer is a personal choice. Do you think Goldsworthy is expressing himselfspiritually? Yes or No? If you think this piece does express a religious purpose, youneed to defend why. Think about the religious pieces we studied in Africa or during theRenaissance. In one or two sentences tell me why or why not this piece has a spiritualfunction.4. Do you think the artist created this piece to invent a new way to create functional art?Circle Yes or No (Physical Function) Why?

Visual Arts StudioMrs. Wood, InstructorThis answer is a personal choice. What does physical function mean? Think about amug made of clay or a stool made of wood. These are functional pieces. Is the art ofGoldsworthy functional? Yes or No? Why?5. Do you think the artist created this piece to provide visual instruction? Circle Yes or No(Educational Function) Why?This answer is a personal choice. Is Goldsworthy trying to provide visual instruction toeducate an audience? Circle Yes or No. Use your observations and what you have cometo learn about Goldsworthy to establish a sound answer. In the movie, is Goldsworthytrying to educate? Remember the moment when he tells the person recording himworking to put down the camera and assist him in gathering rocks. He was not interestedin sharing the process.6. Based on the title of the artwork can you interpret anything about the meaning of thework? Circle Yes or No Write the title of the work and explain your answer:Knotte Sticks Pushed into a Lake Bottom clearly states exactly what Andy Goldsworthyhas done to make this sculpture. There are no hidden interpretations to be discovered inobserving the work.Step Four – Judgment: Is this a successful work of art?Based on the information you have gathered in the first three steps, description, analysis,interpretation, you now have enough information to judge the artwork in two ways.1. Do you like the work of art? Circle Yes or No. Could you live with the art work in yourhome? Circle Yes or No. Explain your answer briefly:This answer is a personal choice. Do you like non-objective (no subject you can identify)sculpture based in nature? Yes or No? Is this piece, or other pieces by Goldsworthy,something you could have in your home? A coffee table book? A framed image? In oneor two sentences defend your answer.2. To determine if the artwork aesthetically successful you must choose one or more of thefollowing three theories to help you decide. Circle the answer or answers that best fit theartwork.• Imitationalism: The artwork is a realistic representation of subject matter andthat is the most important aspect of the piece. This piece is non-objective art andtherefore does not have a subject.• Formalism: The artwork focuses on composition (how the principles of artorganize the elements of art) and emphasizes design qualities and that is the mostimportant aspect of the piece. “Knotted Stalks Pushed into a Lake Bottom” doesnot represent realistic imagery. It exclusively focuses on the elements andprinciples of design.

Visual Arts StudioMrs. Wood, Instructor• Emotionalism: The artwork arouses a response of feelings, moods, and emotionsin the viewer and that is the most important aspect of the piece. The mostimportant aspect of this piece is the composition of the work. Goldsworthy’stheory is based on creating structure within the chaos of nature. It is notdesigned to arouse an emotional response.