First it is a good idea to get acquainted with exhibition reviews by reading magazines such as: Art in America, Art News or Art Forum. Each of these magazines has a substantial review section at the end and they all are available in the library. The Friday Art section of the New York Times also contains weekly reviews of current exhibitions in New York. When writing your review, keep in mind that you are trying to inform the reader about an exhibition that you saw, and that she or he hasn’t. You need to include pertinent information: location, dates, artists, and to describe some of the works, so that you communicate to the reader a precise idea of what the exhibition is about. In most galleries and museums there are brochures or press releases and various materials that are available and free. Ask for them at the desk in galleries and at information desks in museums. These materials will help you to write a review with information regarding the artists or the show. Your review should include:
1- The location (gallery, museum), title of exhibition, dates of the exhibition.
2- Describe the content of the exhibition from a general point of view: is there one or several themes, what are the mediums used, and importantly, what are the issues/questions/themes raised by the exhibition. Describe and discuss each of these aspects. If there is no specific theme, try to explain what the exhibition is about (a survey of an artist work, a selection of works from a certain period…)
3- Select 2 artworks that you find particularly relevant and interesting and analyze them more specifically. Analyze in detail the visual and conceptual contents and the meaning of each.
4- You can do some additional research about the artist(s) and add the info to your review. Try to relate the exhibition or the works described to the career of the artist(s) (is there a definite style, are they changes from previous works, does the artist holds a place in a movement or a group of artists?). Only use bio information if it is relevant to the work you selected. Don’t write general biographical info.
5- Give your opinion about the exhibition. Support your opinion with specific examples/ideas. CITE the references you used for your essay WHEN NEEDED: when you reference a gallery or museum brochure, a press release or any other source of information, such as websites. Use the MLA format (author’s name. Year of publication) in the body of your essay. Add a cited source page at the end of your essay with all the sources used in alphabetical order.
