Introduce your essay by explaining that this is a compare/contrast essay on performance art, specifically the two pieces that you chose. Put this introduction into your own words and feel free to get creative with a an interesting statement, for example, “This essay will examine two works of Performance art side by side: Chris Burden’s “Urban Light” (2008), and Marina Abramovic’s “The Artist is Present” (2010). While Performance Art may seem on the surface to be the work of somewhat insane, attention-seeking masochists, a deeper look at the lives and works of these artists reveals a touching story of two masters who broke new ground and re-imagined the way artists put themselves into their work.” One or two sentences should be enough to set up a three paragraph essay Following your brief introduction, embed an image of the first work you chose. Describe your first work of art in detail. Note its visual or performative characteristics as well as what materials and methods were used. Discuss what you know about the historical and cultural conditions under which this art was made. What makes it a strong example of Performance Art? What is noteworthy about the artist? What was happening in society at the time it was produced? What do you think it means? Paragraph 2: Embed an image of the second work you chose. Describe your second work of art in detail. Note its visual or performative characteristics as well as what materials and methods were used. Discuss what you know about the historical and cultural conditions under which this art was made. What makes it a strong example of Performance Art? What is noteworthy about the artist? What was happening in society at the time it was produced? What do you think it means? Paragraph 3: Explain why you chose these two pieces above all others that you saw. Describe at least two similarities between the works (these can be anything from what they are made of, to how they look, to what they mean to you). Describe two differences between the works, considering the same factors. Then, form a conclusion by focusing on what you have learned by comparing these works together. For example, you might say something like, “Chris Burden and Marina Abramovic both made names for themselves by risking personal safety in their early performances, often undergoing extreme physical and emotional pain, but their later works lean more toward compassion and even playfulness. Perhaps they felt that their successful, arduous careers had earned them the right to let go of the more difficult concepts and explore ideas around relief and reflection, something the world seems to need now more than ever.” If you are having trouble coming up with a conclusion, try jotting down more similarities and differences and asking yourself why they made this art the way that they did. The more you compare, the more connections you will make. For this week’s assignment you will be selecting two artworks on which to do a “Compare/Contrast Essay.” This will not be a typical class discussion, rather you will be submitting your essays individually. It will require no further research beyond the articles and videos above, but will necessitate deep reflection on the material. The “Compare/Contrast Essay” format is the cornerstone of Art History scholarship. It involves: Formal analysis; what does the work look like, and what is it made of? Conceptual analysis; under what cultural conditions was this work made, what movement or movements does it belong to, and what is the background of the artist? As well as interpretation; what does the work mean to you?
