Analyze two works of art from the same location and time period, gaining greater understanding for culture.
Apply skills learned from earlier essays – visual observation skills, interpretive methods and research skills – culminating in this final project.
Use critical thinking skills to analyze, reflect and interpret based on evidence.
Topic
Your Final Project will explore a culture through the lens of two works of art from the same location and the same general time period and/or the same century. Choose Art from Annenberg Learner, the MET Collection and/or Smarthistory. Describe the visual and physical aspects of the work of art and the meaning it holds for you. Use research to connect the work of art to the culture in which it was made. Reflect on the similarities and differences. Explore the ideas of Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism as they may pertain to the works of art. Finish the project by reflecting on your own views about the way you experience culture.
Basic Preparation
Choose Two (2) Works of Art from the same location and time period – You may include sculpture, 2-dimensional art and design, architecture, etc. Do not choose work from either of your previous art analysis papers.
Your art MUST come from one or more of the websites listed below.:
https://www.learner.org/series/art-through-time-a-global-view/
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection
Your chosen Location and Time Period will be the Culture you have chosen.
A note about time period confusion – Time periods listed below works of art in Annenberg Learner: Art Through Time: A Global View are not very descriptive. Since time periods are described differently across cultures (dynasty, period, etc.) in the absence of a clear distinction of a time period, choose 2 works of art made within 100 years of each other.
A note about location confusion – Locations of various cultures may overlap. Exploring these overlaps might be an interesting aspect of your project.)
Sometimes students have a hard time getting started. Read this Choosing Art for the Final Project handout where I demonstrate 3 sample scenarios.
Format and Length – I won’t do extensive training on how to use various technologies but I want to provide some options including choice of a paper, slideshow, video or other creative way of fulfilling the
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objectives for this assignment., I will grade the evidence that you satisfactorily fulfilled the requirements on the rubric.
A paper should be at least 500 words.
Review the Purposes, Topic, Outline and Rubric – Once you have chosen your location, time period, art and format, review the purposes, outline and rubric to make sure you will be able to address all the objectives of the assignment.
Outline
Follow the outline below to ensure you understand each individual aspect of the assignment. Avoid copying the structure of other articles about the art you choose. Some brief parts of your paper might paraphrase other sources but other parts should be based on YOUR observations, YOUR thoughts and connections YOU make. I will clarify in parenthesis below. Make sure to clearly cite all the sources you use.
Introduction
Introduce the location and time period you have chosen. Tell us some basic facts such as where it is in the world, etc.
Describe why you have chosen work from this location and time period to explore.
Analyze artwork #1
Identify the Art – title, date created, the artist (if known), materials/mediums used to make the art and the location where the work was made. (Paraphrasing may be necessary for this section.)
Visual Analysis – Describe the art so we can visualize it in our minds. This may include size, composition, depth, form and shape, line, color, shadow, texture, pattern, etc. (This section is based on your own observations of the artwork. No paraphrasing.)
Personal Interpretation – Describe how you, as the person you are, living the life you live, understand the work of art. (This section is based on YOUR own observations of the artwork, YOUR thoughts and connections YOU make. No paraphrasing.)
Researched Cultural/Historical Analysis – Make clear connections between the art and the cultural and historical context in which it was made. You might include political, economic, social and/or historical context. You might address values, beliefs, norms, etc. (Paraphrasing may be necessary for brief parts of this section but use your own words as much as possible.)
Analyze artwork #2
Identify the Art – title, date created, the artist (if known), materials/mediums used to make the art and the location where the work was made. (Paraphrasing may be necessary for this section.)
Visual and Physical Analysis – Describe the art so we can visualize it in our minds. This may include size, composition, depth, form and shape, line, color, shadow, texture, pattern, etc. (This section is based on your own observations of the artwork.
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No paraphrasing.)
Personal Interpretation – Describe how you, as the person you are, living the life you live, understand the work of art. (This section is based on YOUR own observations of the artwork, YOUR thoughts and connections YOU make. No paraphrasing.)
Researched Cultural/Historical Analysis – Make clear connections between the art and the cultural and historical context in which it was made. You might include political, economic, social and/or historical context. You might address values, beliefs, norms, etc. (Paraphrasing may be necessary for brief parts of this section but use your own words as much as possible.)
Similarities and Differences – compare the two works of art. (This section is based on YOUR thoughts and connections YOU make. No paraphrasing.)
Describe the similarities between the two works of art. What do these similarities tell us about the culture in which they were made?
Describe the differences between the two works of art. What do these differences tell us about the culture in which they were made?
Cultural Relativism and Ethnocentrism – Consider the ideas of Cultural Relativism and Ethnocentrism, introduced in the beginning of the semester. Find ways both of the terms can relate to the works of art you have chosen. You might consider the way art is viewed by people outside of the culture or how the artist or patron viewed the culture they portrayed. You might need to stretch to create an imaginary scenario. (This section is based on YOUR thoughts and connections YOU make. No paraphrasing.)
As a reminder, here are the definitions from the original article about Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism introduced in the Module 2 Discussion:
Ethnocentrism: evaluating and judging another culture based on how it compares to one’s own cultural norms.
Cultural Relativism: the practice of assessing a culture by its own standards rather than viewing it through the lens of one’s own culture.
I will be updating that source in future classes so I want to share those sources as well.
Perspectives: An Open Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, Stories as a Reflection of Culture.
Introduction to Anthropology, Overcoming Ethnocentrism
Introduction to Anthropology, Cross-Culture Comparison and Cultural Relativism
Your View of Culture – In this closing section of your Final Project for ART-123, describe how you view culture. Your view of culture may include long held beliefs and/or new revelations. (This section is based on YOUR thoughts and connections YOU make. No paraphrasing.) Include the following:
Describe elements of your own culture.
Describe how you encounter new cultures.
Describe how you hope others will encounter your culture.
What do you believe we can learn about culture through art?
What does art leave out? How does art fall short?
Citations – There must be a “works cited” section at the end of your paper that includes all the sources you used to write your paper. You must use at least three sources, but are encouraged to use more.
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More Information About Citations
I am not particular about the specific format you use to write citations. APA, MLA or Chicago are all suitable formats to use. Use the format you are most comfortable with OR write citations in a manner similar to this:
Author, “Title of article,” in title of publication, date of publication, date you referenced it, copy and paste website.
Example: Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris, “Ashurbanipal Hunting Lions,” in Smarthistory, December 11, 2015, accessed June 29, 2019, https://smarthistory.org/ashurbanipal-hunting-lions/
If you are missing some information, like an author or a specific date of publication, then leave out that missing piece of information.
Optional: Some students like to use citation tools like EasyBib. Using tools like this is not required.
Academic Honesty
