FIELD NOTESName:
This is an exercise in looking, recording thoughts and observations, looking, recording thoughts and observations, and looking, then, recording thoughts and observations. You may use bullet points, draw sketches and diagrams, or write complete sentences. These notes are for you: you don’t have to worry about grammar, spelling or handwriting in this part of the assignment. If you properly complete the field notes, you’ll earn full points. If you write very large, you will need to include extra paper for credit. If you write extremely small, practice writing with bigger print. Everyone is required to complete fully the field notes. Don’t leave blank lines, blank spaces, or try to fake it by writing really big and not attaching extra sheets. The textbook (eBook) has a short discussion of elements and principles in the Introduction that you may find helpful.
Do you want extra credit? Complete the field notes with great detail: Write MORE than what is required, use the margins, add extra sheets. Grading field notes is a bit of a judgment call: if you want full and/or extra credit, demonstrate that with visible effort.
Students enrolled in Art 140 Western Survey may visit in person or virtually:
• Timken Museum of Art (Balboa Park): Byzantine Icons only (not Italo-Byzantine)
• San Diego Museum of Art: Roman mosaics, Egyptian sculpture, Islamic Persian art (not Mughal Indian)
• Museum of Man: Egyptian Exhibit (call ahead to ensure the exhibit has reopened)
• The Getty Villa: all periods covered in class, such as Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Mesopotamian
• JP Getty Museum: Byzantine art, Medieval manuscripts, all periods covered in class.
• Los Angeles County Museum of Art, LACMA; Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena; Bowers Art Museum, Santa Ana – check the website for current and special exhibits that relate to course content.
• OR these museums: Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Louvre, or Oriental Institute at University of Chicago as long as the work you select is related to the styles covered in the class.
Students enrolled in Art 141 Western Survey may visit in person or virtually:
• Timken Museum of Art (Balboa Park): everything except for the Byzantine Icons
• San Diego Museum of Art: Renaissance, Baroque, European art of the 18th and 19th-centuries
• JP Getty Museum: European and American art from ca. 1350 to 1900, all periods covered in class.
• Los Angeles County Museum of Art, LACMA; Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena; Huntington Museum and Gardens, San Marino – check the website for current and special exhibits that relate to course content.
• OR these museums: Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Louvre, or The Prado, or the Chicago Art Institute as long as the work you select is related to the styles covered in the class.
I. Artwork Identification from the Museum Label or Website (use your best guess if information is not provided)
Museum:
Artist (if known):
Title:
Style: Date:
Medium:
Acquisition number and/or location on display:
II. General Style: Naturalistic, Abstract, Realistic, Stylized, Figurative, Gestural, Idealized? (Art 140 & Art 141 students can choose to discuss period style here.)
III. Subject and Composition
Describe the scene or object. Imagine describing it for someone who isn’t there with you.
Line: Identify and analyze actual and implied lines; describe with specific examples.
Form: Discuss the composition’s forms: shape, volume, mass – implied or actual. Describe with examples.
Texture: Describe the actual and implied textures with examples from the artwork.
Color, Value, Light: Analyze and describe with examples one or all of the topics.
Depth & Space: Analyze and describe with examples the artist’s use of implied depth – or lack of it. For sculpture, consider negative space and installation environment.
Time and Motion: Is there implied or actual motion? A continuous narrative or a brief moment? Moving parts or a suggestion of movement? Describe with examples.
Focal Point and Emphasis: Identify and analyze with examples.
Balance: Identify the type of balance and analyze with examples.
Proportion and Scale: Analyze ratios of parts to the whole; Size of artwork to the viewer.
Unity and Variety: How is cohesion achieved? Visual interest? Describe the examples.
Rhythm and Pattern: Analyze the visual accents and identify the rhythm – identify it and describe. And/or describe surface patterns and what they contribute to the artwork.
Write two to four headlines or captions for this work:
IV. Why did you choose this artwork? What do you like about it? What would you like to know more about? Did you enjoy the challenge of this assignment? Explain.