B

UNIT 2 Analyzing and Evaluating Visual Art

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Evaluate visual artworks objectively using different
evaluation techniques.
2. Craft a sensible process for reading visual art

Be critical about art!

Look carefully at the artwork below. Answer the following

questions about it.

Source: edvardmunch.org
Separation,
1896 by
Edvard Munch
 My Description
What is literally depicted in the painting? What elements are used? What type of
painting is it?

My Analysis
How are the elements of visual art used in the painting?

My
Interpretation
What situation do you see in the artwork? What emotion does the artwork
imply? Why did the artist create the work?
What can be said about the quality of art based on your standards?

My Evaluation
What can be said about the quality of art based on your standards?
 This time, let us learn about the considerations and criteria in
analyzing and evaluating visual art.

Using the painting of Vincent van Gogh, Starry Night, we shall

apply the different levels of analysis for visual art.

Source: fineartamerica.com

Art Criticism
1. Analysis is making sense and providing critical evaluation of specific
forms of art.
2. Evaluating art necessitates describing, critically analyzing, and
evaluating quality, meaning, and content of any form of art.

Different Levels of Evaluating Visual Art

1. Literal Description

This kind of process involves the gathered factual information

regarding an artwork. You are required to provide your own observation and
well-thought description of the characteristics of an artwork.

This focuses on the direct description of an artwork. In the process of

describing, much concentration and time for observation is required to
create a
 sensible description. A critical evaluation is not needed for this process; this
merely requires a keen eye for factual details.

The following are usually evaluated at this type of level:

a. What is the kind of art or artistic category (architecture, painting,
sculpture)?
b. What is the medium used (metal, paint, clay)?
c. description of the line, color, shape and other related elements

Example:
The painting depicts rotating objects, stars, buildings,
rolling mountains, the moon, large trees and churches. It
appears to be a night scene painted in a vantage point.
There is a town in the front or lower part, there are hills in
the middle and stars in the back part.

2. Comprehensive Feeling

At this level, you are given the opportunity to express your feelings
and thoughts freely about the artwork as means of communication.

Example:
From the color used, it shows sadness and a cold
atmosphere. It can also be calm and relaxed

3. Formal Analysis

The basis for this stage is from the literal description and general
sense of the work of art. At this level, you should evaluate the skill of
creating, using or manipulating tools, and the compositions or visual and
visual validity of an artwork. Answer the question, "How did the artist do it?"

The following are usually evaluated at this type of level:

a. defining the subject
b. defining the unique nature of art
c. analysis of the structure and relationship of art elements
d. analysis of the effects of using different mediums

Example:
The creator used cool blue, green, and purple, with
complementary orange and yellow lights and stars. There is a
difference in the thickness and direction of the brush strokes
and colors. There are different shapes of houses and the
organic shape of the surrounding landscapes. The motion is
 created by rotating the sky and the brushstroke used. Trees create the sense
of movement that can be seen in winding lines.

4. Interpretation

It relates the information obtained from literal description, formal

analysis and knowledge derived from real events or contextual knowledge of
a work of art. It answers the question "why did the artist do it and what does
it mean?"

The following are usually evaluated at this type of level:

a. basic art concept
b. overall meaning of art
c. message and idea of art in a specific cultural context
d. socio-cultural context that conforms to the creation coherence of the
artwork

Example:
The color of this artwork creates a feeling of serenity. But
the orange and yellow of the moon create a sense of
excitement. The painting shows a strong sense of hope
through the bright colors and the stars shining over the
landscape and night. The color lines and coatings used add
calmness reminiscent of rolling water.

5. Value Judgement

At this level, you should develop rational, emotional and

comprehensive decisions related to the entirety of the artwork from earlier
levels.

The following questions are answered:

a. Is this a good kind of art?
b. What is the appropriate standard to use in the analysis?
c. What are the proofs that all the elements of art are related?
d. What can be said about the quality of art based on these standards and
proof?

Example:
This artwork has successfully used the elements and
principles of art to create a painting that expresses emotion
and life by expressing the brushstroke. The subject evokes a
calm or sad feeling while the colors are successfully used and
contrasts to create a feeling of joy and hope at night. This is a
very good impressionist painting.
Techniques of Seeing as Reading Visual Art

To help us read a visual artwork, Schirato and Webb (2004) present seven
techniques of seeing: selection and omission, frame, signification and
evaluation, arrangement, differentiation and connection, focus, and context.
Note that these techniques do not follow a temporal sequence: one technique
influences the other.

Study the different techniques using the sample pictures employing

perspective in photography. Answer the question for each technique.

Selection and Omission

Whatever we see that catches our attention
is what our eyes select while what we do not
look at is omitted.

Which object in the photograph catches your attention?

Which object in the photograph does not catch your attention?

Frame
The selected details or the particular
images that we focus on in a given space
form the frame.

Which part of the photograph is your

focus directed: the upper triangle
where the men are lying, the view of
the city or the whole photograph?
 Signification and Evaluation
This refers to careful, thoughtful, and
consistent selection of content within the frame.

Do you think that the photograph is staged/deliberate (the people posed for the
photograph) or was it taken spontaneously/unplanned?

Arrangement
This refers to how the images or
symbol/signs are combined,
separated or arranged to create the
whole visual art piece.

How are the people in the

photograph set to the
background?

Differentiation and Connection

This refers to looking at seemingly
unrelated concepts and
investigating the relationship
between signs, symbols, elements,
images and text (we also look at the
relationship of things).

A. How does the photograph’s setting make sense?

 Focus
This refers to giving focus on an event,
person, thing or place to produce a
meaningful interpretation that deserves
attention.

1. How did the photographer use lines to

give emphasis on the man in the
photograph?

Context
Context is important because it
helps you to communicate and
create a relationship with the
creator. It helps you to state
your point clearly for easier
understanding.

1. Where/when/how is the photograph taken?

Images Source: boredpanda.com

From the levels of evaluating visual art and the techniques of

seeing, you, as the viewer of the art, have a critical role in
interpreting an artwork. Your analysis and evaluation gives the
artwork life.

However, it has been controversial if how much of the artist’s intention

should affect your analysis and evaluation of the art piece. To better understand
this, visit the link below and watch the video entitled “Who decides what art
means?” by Hayley Levitt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=HoXyw909Qu0&t=87s

In three to five sentences, explain in your own understanding this

question: “Who decides what art means?”
 From what has been discussed previously, answer the following
activities.

Examine the following picture carefully and determine what level

of visual art analysis presents the following numbers. Answer using letters only.
A. Literal Description Feelings D. Interpretation
B. Comprehensive C. Formal Analysis E. Judgment

Source: sites.google.com
1. The creator used a sharp line to create chaos or destruction
surrounding the little child.
2. The most commonly used element of art is the use of only one
color, red.
3. This artwork contains a sad little boy with a bleeding nose and
holding a teddy bear.
4. The creator used this scene to show viewers awareness of what the
media can do to get a moving story.
 5. This artwork is very powerful and will make you think because the creator
has provided a different perspective for his viewers about the
media.
6. The devastation surrounding the child, the blood on his face, and his facial
expression tells us the sad and uncomfortable environment.
7. The creator used a bright red color to get the attention of observers on the
blood of the child's face and on Red Cross men who wanted to help
the child.
8. There were five people around who were looking straight at the little boy.

9. The scene is disturbing because the people around her are not
helping the innocent and crying child.

10. This artwork has succeeded in achieving and obtaining the standard of
aesthetic theory and instrumentalism.

From the picture above, how did you use the following visual reading techniques?

1. Selection and Omission (What did you select and omit from the photo? Why?)

2. Framing (What part of the picture did you frame? Why?)

3. Arrangement (Do you think the arrangement of objects/symbols is

correct? Why?)
4. Differentiation and Connection (What differences and connections do you
see between the images in the picture? Why?)

5. Focus (What part of the picture did you focus on? Why?)

General Guidelines:

Follow Instructions: If you do not follow the instructions, your paper will not be
checked.

Preparation: Read the material thoroughly before answering the activity.

Submission Deadline: Module 2- Unit 2 covers 3 tasks. All tasks must be submitted
on or before October 7, 2024, by 5:00 PM. Assigned students will be collecting
papers per code. No one is allowed to submit their paper individually in the
office.

Paper Format:

In the upper left corner of your paper, write your full name, starting with your last
name, followed by your first name and middle initial.

In the center of the paper, write your course and code.

Label the Activity

Activity 1 (Engage)
Activity 2 (Explore)- no need to submit this activity, rather you answer it on your
own.
Activity 3 (Explain)
Activity 4 (Elaborate)- this Activity will cover the half of your midterm examination.
At the uppermost right corner, write "MODULE 2- Unit 1."
Important: Not following the format will result in an automatic zero for your
submission.
References:
Schirato, T. and Webb, J.( 2004) Reading the visual. Southwind Production, Singapore
Snazlan.wordpress.com. (2017). Art critism – four levels of formal analysis. Retrieved from
https://snazlan.wordpress.com/2017/04/10/art-critism-four-levels-of-formal-
analysis/

Image Sources:
https://www.edvardmunch.org/separation.jsp
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/starry-night-print-by-vincent-van-gogh-vincent-van-
gogh.htmlhttps://www.boredpanda.com/forced-perspective-creative-angle- photography/?
utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic
https://sites.google.com/a/pgcps.org/erhs-photography/bad-apple-resources/writing-about-art-
example