Marc Arthur Kohn | Art Criticism and Aesthetic Judgment

Art Criticism and Aesthetic Judgment MARC ARTHUR KOHN

If so, then you have been deeply involved with a work of art. ď ľ

After you see a new movie or TV program you might recommend it to a friend or tell them not to waste their time. You are judging the show and making decisions about why it was a failure or success.

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You are acting like a critic!

Critics have opinions you might not agree with. 

Your CRITERIA, or standards of judgment may be very different from someone else.

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ART CRITICISM is an organized system for studying a work of art.

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AESTHETICS is the philosophy or study of the nature of beauty and art.

Criticism is not always negative.

Personal Experience is Important 

When you try on clothes or form an opinion about a movie, you use your own personal criteria to determine what suits you.

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One movie (or pair of jeans) might be great for someone else.

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You make choices based on your personal experiences and have developed your own criteria.

Art Criticism; Eyes and Brain 

Your own life experiences will help you understand each work of art.

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NO ONE has done or seen exactly the same things YOU have, so no one will see exactly what you see.

What is it? What do you see?

4 Easy Steps 

DESCRIPTION- What do I see? Simply collect facts.

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ANALYSIS- How is the work organized?

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INTERPRETATION-What is the artist saying? This is a guess, what you think.

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JUDGMENT- Is this a successful work of art? Making your own decisions about the artistic merit of the work.

Description Size and medium used. This info will be in the credit line used in museums and books. Slow down and look at the facts of what is there.

Analysis 

Paying attention to the elements and principles you discover how the work is organized. What is the style? Realism?

Impressionism?

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Shape, line, texture, color, balance, emphasis, unity, movement…

Interpretation ď ľ

Explain or tell the meaning or mood of the work. You must dare to be different. In this step there are no wrong answers.

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You must use your intelligence, imagination and courage.

Judgment 

You determine the degree of artistic merit in this final step.

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Make up your own mind and be honest with yourself.

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Qualities to consider are the literal, design and expressive qualities.

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Judging functional objects; looks vs. proper functioning (furniture, car, cup)