Instructions
Introduction
In Arts Paper 2, you will also conduct an in-depth study of an artwork of your choice and write a 1200-word paper to demonstrate your learning of the artwork. This artwork should be chosen from one of the following disciplines of the arts: Music, The Musical Stage: Opera, Musical Theater, Dance, or Film, Television, and Digital Arts. As in Arts Paper 1, you must obtain firsthand experience with the artwork. The artwork does not need to be a well-known piece. However, it is very helpful if the artwork has been reviewed by a critic, historian, or seasoned arts enthusiast. For example, you may attend a performing arts event in a local school or art space; you may find further information about the musician, composer, director, actors, and creative process through the review in the local newspaper or the organization’s website. If you are unable to gain a firsthand experience with a musical show, you should consider writing about music, film, or television.
Objectives
In this assignment you will
apply the basic language and elements of art to describe an artwork.
research background information about the artwork and the artist.
describe the creative process involved in the making of the artwork.
analyze the artwork highlighting its artistic, sociocultural, and historical significance.
Instructions
Read Writing about the Humanities to learn how to describe, analyze, and respond to the arts by using the proper art language and analytical approaches developed in one of the three disciplines of the arts: Music, The Musical Stage: Opera, Musical Theater, Dance, or Film, Television, and Digital Arts.
Research and read additional resources to learn about the artwork of your choice.
You must obtain a firsthand arts experience, for example, through attending a performing arts event, listening to a recording, watching a film or TV program, or utilizing material in the SUNY Empire online library.
Structure and Format
Length: 5 pages (1200 words)
References: Include at least 2 references.
Use the structure below to guide your writing of the paper. Note: Do not use a separate title page; however, do include your name, the assignment title, the course title, and the date before the title of your paper
Title of your paper should be placed directly before the introductory paragraph. Give your paper an engaging title according to the main topic or thesis of your paper.
Introductory paragraph including a thesis statement (about 100 words). Open your paper with some interesting thoughts or questions, for example, based on your impression of the artwork or the most intriguing comment you’ve read from the review. Follow it by a thesis statement highlighting the essential information of the artwork and other important topics you will discuss in the paper.
Description of the artwork (about 200 words). Summarize the plot, describe what you see or hear, or do both. Make sure to apply the proper language of art developed in its discipline to describe the artwork. The textbook “Writing about the Humanities” or a quality review of the artwork can guide your description of the artwork. You may also research the Internet to find out what additional “elements of art” professionals used to describe a performing arts, film, or TV work.
Information of the artist(s) (about 200 words). Introduce the artist only using and describing the information that contributes to further understanding of your selected artwork, for example, the artist’s training and preferred art genre, artist statement, and artist’s intention of making the selected artwork.
Information of the creative process (about 200 words). Explain the creative process from the conceptualization stage to the making of the final product. Identify the style, genre, instrument, technique, technology, and other important artistic matters the artist employed to create the artwork. You may describe the critical steps, concerns, and artistic choices the artist made during the production of the artwork. You may also describe the ideas and conditions that influenced the creative process (e.g., what censorship, political agenda, or budget may have dictated the art production process).
Analysis, interpretation, and/or evaluation of the artwork (about 400 words). Use the questions in Chapter 2 and sample essays in other chapters from “Writing about the Humanities” as references to learn how to analyze, interpret, and evaluate a work of art. Specifically, explain the artistic, sociocultural, and historical significance of the work you chose to study. Consider questions such as what the original or innovative aspects of the artwork are; what sociocultural issues the artwork addresses or how the artwork contributes to the humanities—a better society; and whether or not the artwork will be remembered for a long time or what the important role the artwork plays in the history.
Final reflection (about 100 words). Summarize the vital aspects you’ve examined in the paper and your own informed conclusive response to the artwork.
References. Use a proper citation style to cite at least 2 references. MLA style is preferred in the field of the humanities. Attach an image of the artwork, if available, and include a caption containing essential information (e.g., Cindy Bates, Director. Broadway Bound by Neil Simon. 2019. Curtain Call Theatre, Latham, NY).
