Year 12 IB Art Holiday Task

The Research Workbook tasks:

Part One : (5 sides) During the summer you are to visit at least one gallery or exhibition (it doesn’t have to be in Rome). Write and illustrate a review of your visit. It is often better to write about work that you have seen which you like - but it isn’t essential. Whether your critical writing is positive or negative, it must be thoughtful - not just “I don’t like this, it’s boring” or “ I like this because it’s realistic”. You’ve all done critical writing in your G.C.S.E. Art course - remember?!!! Consider issues such as:

· Scale - how does a work of art’s size affect the viewer (and how is seeing an actual work of art different from seeing a reproduction in a book ?)

· Materials - what is it created from ?- why? - what effect does the material give?

· Content - what does the work represent ? does it tell a story ? give your personal interpretation.

· The Artist - Who ? When ?

· Even basic descriptions of colour, shapes etc. are useful - how is the mood or atmosphere of a piece affected by the artists use of colour, texture, line, pattern etc. ?

· Value judgement - is the piece successful ? Why ?

Part Two : (5 sides) Record a visit to a specific building, built environment or monument. Examples: Piazza Navona, The Pantheon or Trajan’s Column etc. etc. They don’t have to be “old”, but it’s probably best to avoid writing about “the porchetta stall near my house” !

In your written and illustrated report, record your observations whilst considering issues such as:

· Scale - how does the building, monument or built environment relate on a “human scale” - does it “dwarf” people - why? (to impress, to accommodate a specific use, to inspire fear, devotion etc.)

· Inspiration/style - can you see any connections with art or design movements (Art Nouveau, Neo Classical, Art Deco, Modernism? Etc.)

· Decoration - is it decorated ? Why? - Why would you decorate a building? In what style ? Describe - organic (plant forms etc.), geometrical simplicity etc .

· How well does the space, monument or building fulfil its intended role ?

· How does it relate to the location in which it is placed (natural environment, other buildings etc.?)

Part Three : Preparing for Year 13 Coursework Projects

At least 10 sides relating to images, artefacts, techniques, experimentation observations and artists’ work connected with your chosen theme for you first personally directed project. Good preparation is essential for a successful project. Take loads of photographs, make loads of drawings – even stuff which is too large to fit in your book. Go nuts – develop an obsession!

Remember lots of nice drawings, clear legible notes, a few photographs - this is the start of your second Research Workbook - make it look attractive and interesting. Total 20 sides upwards, split between both tasks.

AND FINALLY:

At least one major piece of NEW studio work relating to your chosen theme. This could be a large drawing, painting, sculpture etc. It could be a project in its own right or a high quality ‘study’ leading up to an even more ambitious piece of work. It should be at least equivalent to your Tuscany canvas in terms of quality and time spent on it.

Work to the best of your ability. You will be amazed how fast those 2 remaining terms of IB Art will go. Don’t forget – there’s no final exam in this course. It’s just you and your Research Workbook and the studio work that get the final grade…