2. AOS 1: Investigation and presentation SAT

Creative Process: Research and Exploration

On completion of this unit the student should be able to develop personal ideas using research that examines one artwork and the practice of an artist, and produce at least one finished artwork using the Creative Practice.

Key knowledge

  • ideas and related issues explored by artists in their artworks
  • the use of selected materials, techniques, processes and art forms throughout the Creative Practice
  • the ways visual language is used to communicate ideas or issues
  • the use of materials, techniques and processes in art forms to develop effective visual language
  • methods used to document, reflect upon and evaluate the use of the Creative Practice to develop and refine artworks
  • methods used to present a critique of the use of the Creative Practice and finished artworks

Key skills

  • research and analyse the ideas explored by artists in their artworks
  • research and analyse issues related to the artwork or practice of the artist
  • use selected materials, techniques, processes and art forms throughout the Creative Practice
  • develop and critically evaluate visual language to communicate ideas or issues
  • explore and document the use of materials, techniques and processes to develop effective visual language
  • select and apply the appropriate Interpretive Lenses throughout the Creative Practice
  • explore, document, reflect on and evaluate the use of the Creative Practice to develop and refine an artwork, using appropriate written and visual material
  • apply appropriate methods to present a critique of the use of the Creative Practice and the finished artworks

Art Issues*

Art Issues In VCE Art Creative Practice, students investigate issues that arise from the investigation of artworks and the meanings and messages communicated by them. An issue can be considered to be an important topic or problem for debate or discussion that impacts on the experiences and background of people. Issues can be related to the economic, philosophical, social or cultural context of artworks. Issues can arise through the presentation of artworks, their context, practices of artists and their use of materials, techniques and processes. They can arise from the viewing, interpretation and understanding of artworks and the practices of artists by audiences.

Students present their research using one, or a combination of the following methods:

The teacher may select any of the following approaches for this Criterion.

  • a written report of 300–500 words with documented visual evidence
  • an annotated visual report
  • a critique presented in a digital format, such as an online presentation 
    or interactive website
  • an oral critique with documented visual and written evidence.

Step 1. Brainstorming

  • Create a BRAINSTORM PAGE identifying two or three artists of personal interest and a connected, overriding theme that you wish to research and explore.
  • Add clear headings to your annotations of the Interpretive lenses – Personal, Cultural and Structural.
  • Include stream-of-consciousness ideas through text and imagery. These are your initial thoughts and visual responses. Personal Lens
  • Make thumbnail sketches that relate to each idea. This may includes symbols and motifs. Personal Lens
  • Identify art forms, processes or techniques that interest you and overlap with these artists. Structural Lens
  • Make sure you are including artists who explore similar issues / ideas. Personal and Cultural Lens
  • Add annotations of your thoughts on potential aesthetics of each idea, elements/principles, meanings and messages. Structural Lens
  • Review the options and select aspects to focus on – this will guide the direction of your Creative Practice.
  • Decide on one artist and one artwork to inform and direct your research and presentation for SAT Criteria 1.

Step 2. Oral presentation with documented visual and written evidence

Choose ONE artist and ONE artwork to research in depth for your Criteria 1 presentation.
You must use the APA 7th referencing conventions:

  • Documented components of your presentation must include text and images.
  • In text citation must be used
  • Images must be correctly referenced – didactics and url below them
  • Reference list should aim to include numerous books, articles, journals
ACP-Unit-3_O1_Research-tableDownload

Analyse, Experiment and Explore

Create an additional Mind Map exploring the ISSUES / IDEAS of your artist – list of possible headings below:

  • Ideas and Issues in work / symbolism (add expert opinion)
  • Subject matter
  • Materials and techniques
  • Words & thumbnail drawings

Artist trial that is documented with images and annotation. Describe the process you went through and annotate using the Interpretive lenses: what worked, what did not and why.

Primary source photo shoot (annotated contact sheet).

Materials and techniques trials with evaluation.

Compositions with evaluation.

Refine, Resolve and Reflect

Finished artwork

The finished artwork reflects the ‘Refine and Resolve’ aspect of the Creative Practice and should demonstrate:

  • The resolution of your ideas and messages, resolved in a finished artwork, using the original artwork as a departure point for further investigation. Personal and Cultural Lens.
  • The completion of a refined artwork, demonstrating skills through the Structural Lens and your personal visual language.
  • The final artwork may use a different art form than the artwork you research.
  • Direct reinterpretations or appropriations of the original artwork should be undertaken.

Documentation

Document your final artwork’s development and process towards refinement with annotations in your visual diary of the following.

  • Research and Exploration – started in Criterion 1 and extended through Criterion 2
  • Development and Experimentation – started in Criterion 2 and annotated for Criterion 3
  • Refinement and Resolution – completed in Criterion 2 and annotated for Criterion 3
  • Reflection and Evaluation – undertaken through annotations for Criteria 1 -3 and then again in the documentation of Criterion 4 Critique.
  • The Interpretive Lens must be annotated through this work requirement as well as in the Critique.

The Critique

Preparation.

Use the following questions as a guide:

The Creative Practice

  • Reflect on what you did at each stage of the CP?
  • Evaluate the evolution of your own visual language to successfully convey your ideas or messages.

Structural Lens

  • Which artist, and which work, was your source of inspiration? 
  • Does your subject matter respond to or resemble that of the artist(s)? If so, how?
  • Are there similarities or differences between the aesthetics of your work and the artists’ works?
  • Have you employed symbolism? Does this relate to the inspiration you took from the artist(s)?
  • What materials did you use? Has the artist(s) used the materials differently?
  • Have the techniques you used changed or developed?
  • Has your use of elements or principles taken inspiration from the artist(s)? If so, how? 
  • Compare the processes used by the artist(s) to your own. Does the process change? Why?

Personal Lens

  • Did the artist(s) work in isolation, or collaboratively? How has this influenced your use of them as inspiration?
  • Does the artist(s) have specific beliefs that are relevant to the work? Were they relevant to you?
  • Have your life experiences or those of the artist(s) influenced the work? If so, how?
  • Do you think that the specific beliefs of the audience will affect their response to the works? If so, how?

Cultural Lens

  • How have the time periods in which the artist worked influenced them? How is this evident? Was it an influence on the way you used the inspiration?
  • How would an audience contemporary to you interpret the work differently to a previous audience? Why?
  • Is your response linked to social, ethical or political issues / views? If so, how?
  • Does the artist subscribe to a spiritual or philosophical ethos? Did you explore this in your work? If so, how?
  • Have economics or environmental concerns influenced your work? Did you have access to materials, or have you used found or repurposed materials?
  • Does your or the artist’s ethnic background bring art practices and visual elements to the work? If so, how?
  • Is gender reflected in the work? If so, how?
  • Does the artwork provoke an emotional response? If so, why?
  • How do these factors contribute to engagement and communication of meaning?

Sample structure of critique

  • Introduction of inspiration (artist / artwork)
  • Display and explanation of visual responses
  • Reflection on strengths and weaknesses of the responses
  • Successes and challenges
  • Presentation of and reflection on the finished work
  • Presenter asks the audience questions
  • Questions from audience
  • Feedback from audience.

Reflect on your feedback after the critique.

What questions were asked by the audience during the critique?

Did the audience feedback focus on one particular area?

What suggestions were made in the written feedback regarding your visual language by your audience?      

What suggestions were made by your audience in terms of the Personal and Structural Lenses?

 

Evaluate the feedback and your determine a path forward.

What aspects of the feedback was most meaningful to your visual language? How will you respond to this in your future endeavours?

What feedback challenged your communication of ideas and messages? How will you communicate these better?