Background:  We like art when it means something to us. It might reflect an experience we relate to or touch us emotionally. In chapter 6 of your textbook, the authors discussed the ways that art connects to our lives. It may appeal to us in aesthetic ways (6.3) or as an expression of our philosophy, politics, religion, or even be a personal expression (6.4). Art can serve to unify us or to exclude others by demonstrating how people are alike or different (6.3). Artists can communicate to others through their work (6.4). Some artists use their artwork as a form of protest or shock, expressing sentiments that others agree with (6.7) and others use art to celebrate or commemorate significant events in society or their personal lives (6.8). Art can be an expression of religion (6.9) or a source of information, education and inspiration (6.10).

Purpose: This assignment will help you examine the reasons you like a certain piece of art. It will encourage you to look more closely at a work of art and what that artwork says to you. This assignment will guide you to apply the concepts and vocabulary in the textbook, and will also strengthen your oral presentation and synthesis skills.

Task:

Choose a painting from your textbook or another source (museums have great collections online).  Don’t choose a work from this chapter reading.  Make sure to identify the work of art by title and artist, and include a photograph (a screenshot will do) so that other students will know what you are writing about. 

Reflecting on the textbook’s explanations of how art relates to people, thoroughly explain in writing how and why this painting relates to you on a personal level.  Make sure you are very thoughtful about your answer.