Five Visual Arts Approaches to Critically Evaluate Art and Literature Visual Images

 

Visual Arts Approach
Percieving
Interpreting
Evaluating
Connecting
Technical and creative

What is created by the media or what is created in the viewer's mind?

What skills, elements, components are needed to appreciate and/or participate in the viewing?

How does the piece communicate?

How do the skills, components, and elements communicate meaning?

What does the creator or the piece communicate?

What was the piece's impact?

What was the degree of impact?

What is the proficiency of the creator?

What connections can be made from the piece to life?

What connections are there between this piece and other pieces?

How does this type of art or literature image(s) enhance life?

 

Creative

How are the principles, processes, structures, and elements of the piece used creatively?

How are the elements of the piece used creatively?

How might someone learn something new from this piece?

What is the creator or piece trying to communicate?

What is being communicated?

How might this type of literature help people express their ideas?

Does or did the piece achieve anything?

What was the power of the piece to communicate a message?

Were the goals acheived?

Why is this piece effective?

What does the piece communicate to me and/or others?

How does the message connect to life, other cultures, other art forms, other literature forms, times, places...?

How powerful are the connections?

Cultural and historical

What does this piece communicate about culture or history?

In what cultural and historical perspective does this piece represent or relate?

How can this piece be understood culturally and historically?

What does this piece mean in the context of its time and place?

What does this piece reflect of its culture and time?

What is the relationship of this piece to its culture and time?

Why is this piece important?

What is the significance of this piece today, yesterday, and/or in the future?

What makes this piece significant?

How does this pieces connect to other pieces, cultures, times, art, and/or literature?
Critical approach

What are the elements and content of the piece?

What criteria should be used to describe this piece?

 

Am I reacting to the piece? How? and Why?

What was the creator of this piece trying to express?

What does the piece communicate?

Are the elements used effectively?

How would this experience be evaluated? What criteria could / should be used?

Are the elements used effectively?

How well does the piece evoke a response?

What is the value of this piece?

Why would one choose this piece?

Can personal connections be made to the piece? How and what is the strength of connection?

Can connections be made to life, other cultures, other art forms, other literature forms, times, places...meaningful and powerful?

How does my critical criteria compare to those of others?

Aesthetic approach

What are the ways we can approach art / literature / music / dance / in this piece ?

What aesthetic responses are evoked by art / literature / music / dance / in this piece?

What senses respond to art / literature / music / dance / in this piece ?

 

How does art / literature / music / dance / in this piece make meaning?

What does art / literature / music / dance / in this piece mean to me?

Why does art / literature / music / dance / in this piece evoke a response?

What is my response?

Is art / literature / music / dance / in this piece good? Why?

 

Does art / literature / music / dance / in this piece have value for life?

 

How does art / literature / music / dance / in this piece relate to me?

How does art / literature / music / dance / in this piece relate to life?

How does art / literature / music / dance / in this piece enrich my life?

How does art / literature / music / dance / in this piece change lives?

 

Dr. Robert Sweetland's Notes ©