Blogging Information Booklet

A2
U N I T 3
PERSONAL
INVESTIGATION
BLOGGINGANALYSIS
WRITING


 
Tutor: Ms. Key
A2 PERSONAL INVESTIGATION

As part of your A2 coursework you are expected to produce a personal investigation that includes examples of:

• Analysis
• Description
• Good use of subject specific terms
• Evidence of learning from critical/contextual work
• Insights into the development in your own work
• Clear, well expressed writing
  (AQA GCE Handbook, Version 1.0)

What is the point of writing about art?Writing about Art further encourages the development of the main assessment criteria for the A Level course which include the notions of:

• Developing your ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding (AO1)
  
• Experimenting with and selecting appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining your ideas as your work develops. (AO2)
  
• Recording in visual and/or other forms ideas, observations and insights relevant to your intentions, demonstrating an ability to reflect on your work as it progresses. (AO3)
  
• Presenting a personal, informed and meaningful response demonstrating critical understanding, realizing intentions and, where appropriate, making connections between visual, written, oral or other elements. (AO4)
  

How long is the outcome for the personal investigation meant to be?
Your personal investigation should display examples of the information above. It could be presented in a variety of ways but it must be:

• Continuous writing rather than annotation
• It should be between 1,000 to 3,000 words in length

Who will be reading my blog and reviewing my 'personal investigation'?
Your tutors, your peers, external examiners and, possibly, universities!

Enjoy blogging and writing,

Ms. Key

A.What is Art?

Germaine Greer's article titled 'Now please pay attention everybody. I'm about to tell you what art is' (The Guardian, March 2011) discusses the idea of 'Art'.
[**Article can be found on the intranet]

 
Read the article and discuss your thoughts on what Art is. Use visual examples where possible.

 

 

 
B.Critical Thinking


 

 
What is critical thinking?

 
How does it apply to Art?

 
How can critical thinking change your artistic practice?

 
Consider the three questions above. Try to answer them and elaborate on the connections between these questions and specific works of art that interest you.

 

C.Interpreting
In Terry Barrett's article titled 'Principles for Interpreting' (http://www.terrybarrettosu.com/pdfs/Barrett%20(1994)%20Principles%20for%20Interpreting%20Art.pdf)
he outlines a series of principles for interpreting works of art.
Select two of these principles and discuss them in relation to a piece of work connected with your coursework ideas.


 

 
D.Visual Analysis

Visual analysis is a core activity when writing about Art, especially in terms of art history. Using the links below complete a visual analysis on a work that inspires you.
Links to 'visual analysis':
http://uwp.duke.edu/uploads/assets/visual_analysis.pdf

http://www.monash.edu.au/lls/llonline/writing/artdesign/writing/1.1.xml


 

 
E.Historical vs. Contemporary


 
Select two
pieces of work. One historical (pre-1980) and one contemporary (post-1980) and draw comparisons between the artists ideas, use of material, composition, and interpretation of an idea.

 
Also consider how these pieces might fit the characteristics of their time (i.e. Renaissance, Romanticism, Impressionism, Modernism, Postmodernism)

 

 
F.Visiting Galleries


 
As a student/artist, it is critical that you stay up to date with current ideas and innovation in Art. The best way to experience this is in a gallery or museum.

 
Write an entry based on a recent trip to a gallery or museum. Discuss not only your experience travelling to and visiting the gallery but also about one or two works that you inspired you while you were there. Provide visuals for support.
G.Your Work
Focus on one piece from your coursework portfolio. Discuss how this piece of work addresses your project title and also consider the artists who have inspired you to produce your work in this style.


Draw comparisons with the work of others as necessary.

 

 
H.Reflecting on your Work


Read the writing on the intranet titled 'reflective practice'.

With this reading in mind, reflect on a piece (or series of pieces) of work done as part of your coursework. Expand on your influences, use of materials, and connections with your contextual ideas. Explain how your ideas have changed and how you will continue to expand your work based on the work you have already completed.

 
I.Your Personal InvestigationWhat am I saying?
Why am I doing this?



Finally, you need to produce a piece of contextual writing that consists of 1,000 to 3,000 words of continuous writing (not annotation).

 
As you do so it is important that you use the blogging exercises to help develop your ideas and make reference to both your own work and its historical and contemporary references.

 
This piece of writing (like an essay or artist statement) will help other people contextualize your work. i.e. have an understanding of where your ideas are coming from and why you are producing this work!

 

 

 

INSPIRATION
Looking at other peoples work helps to inspire your own.
The following is a list of artist blogs that may help guide your blogging experience.
Michele Del Campo -
http://micheledelcampo.wordpress.com/

National Museums Liverpool Blog -
http://blog.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/

Doodlers Anonymous -
http://www.doodlersanonymous.com/

Art Observed -
http://artobserved.com/

Cool Hunting -
http://www.coolhunting.com/

Austin Kleon -
http://www.austinkleon.com/blog/


NOTES