Spring Artmaking Project
Documents
Objective
- To recreate or reinterpret an artwork (or artworks) from the Renaissance or Baroque period as painting, sculpture, tableau vivant or video.
- To understand first hand the compositional and technical challenges faced by Renaissance and Baroque artists, and to communicate those challenges from a contemporary perspective.
- To reflect on the aesthetic goals of the artwork from the selected period, and to write an analysis of the artwork and the process of recreating it.
Artmaking Projects
Select a work from the Renaissance, Baroque or Neoclassical eras (Chapters 8 through 11).
NOTE: All work must be “school-appropriate”. Do not make anything for this project you would not be willing to share with the principal or your parents.
- Recreate a painting or sculpture: Create your own scale model of Michelangelo’s David in clay, or paint Caravaggio’s Calling of Saint Matthew. Emphasis here will be placed on skill, incorporation of artist’s techniques and level of difficulty.
- Tableau Vivant: French for “Living Picture”. Dress up in costume, create an appropriate backdrop (consider using theater resources) and photograph your reenactment of a specific work of art. You may improvise or even reinterpret details. Consider level of difficulty (ex: School of Athens vs. David)
- Art History Documentary Video: Make your own version of the classic art history documentary! Select a series of artworks to profile according to a theme and have a student play the role of art historian (with tweed blazer and Oxford accent?), strolling around and narrating. Include images.
NOTE: All work must be “school-appropriate”. Do not make anything for this project you would not be willing to share with the principal or your parents.
Paper
In a short research paper, describe the aesthetic goals of the artwork or period you are featuring, as well as any historical information surrounding its creation. Also, write about why your group selected this work and what you hoped to achieve or express by making it. Also discuss any technical or compositional challenges. Essentially: What is important about this work, and what did you learn by recreating it?
- 1000-1500 words, double spaced, 12-pt font.
- Use print and online resources (no wikipedia in citation)
- Keep notes or note cards of research
- If including images, do so in an appendix
- Cite all sources in MLA format, and use in-text citation for quotes
- Conform with CHHS Honor Code
Process
- Select group: No more than 3 students per group.
- Select roles: Who will do what? What strengths does each member contribute?
- Select a project idea from the list above:
o Consider time frame: Do not undertake more than you can complete in 3 weeks
o Most of the project work will take place outside of class
- Begin research: Learn more about the artist’s process or the time period you have selected
- Begin making your artwork: Document your process for the sake of your paper
Rubric
4 (50 points)
Creative and meaningful investigation of Renaissance or Baroque aesthetics
- PROJECT: Project is a creative and engaging interpretation of chosen artwork or theme. Project is skillfully made with effective technique and appropriate media. Final product displays great care, effort and attention to detail.
- PAPER: Paper demonstrates careful research, and thoughtful and insightful reflection. Information is thorough and accurate. Paper is effectively written and well organized. Paper meets all requirements for length, format and citations.
3 (45 points)
Meaningful investigation of Renaissance or Baroque aesthetics
- PROJECT: Project is a basic or straightforward interpretation of chosen artwork or theme. Project is made with some amount of skill and technique, though some minor problems are evident. Appropriate media are utilized. Final product displays care, effort and attention to detail despite minor issues.
- PAPER: Paper demonstrates adequate research, and sufficient reflection. Information is generally accurate. Paper is effectively written and generally well organized, though there may some imbalance or issues with flow. Paper meets most requirements for length, format and citations.
2 (40 points)
Superficial or under-developed investigation of Renaissance or Baroque aesthetics
- PROJECT: Project is a basic or straightforward interpretation of chosen artwork or theme. Project is made with limited skill and technique, and some problems are evident. Media choices may be inappropriate for chosen work. Final product is rushed, partially incomplete or under-developed. More care, effort or attention to detail needed.
- PAPER: Paper demonstrates limited research and reflection is superficial. Information is at times flawed or inaccurate. Paper restates or rephrases sources, and has some issues with balance or flow. Paper may violate some requirements for length, format and citations.
1 (35 points)
Flawed or incomplete investigation of Renaissance or Baroque aesthetics
- PROJECT: Project does not effectively communicate intended interpretation of chosen artwork or theme. Project is made with minimal skill and technique, and several technical problems are evident. Media choices may be inappropriate for chosen work. Final product is rushed, sloppy or unfinished. Little care, effort or attention to detail evident.
- PAPER: Paper demonstrates minimal research and reflection is superficial or missing. Information is flawed or inaccurate. Paper restates or rephrases sources (plagiarism evident), and has many issues with balance or flow. Paper violates requirements for length, format and citations.
0
Project is too incomplete to merit evaluation, OR plagiarism is evident