YEAR 12 2009 HSC VISUAL ARTS NORTH SYDNEY GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL

WEEK 1 ESSAY HOMEWORK

Area: Is the Artist a valid social commentator?

Focus: Conceptual Framework

Question: “When reality isn’t real – are artist’s commentaries still legitimate and/or valuable?”
Discuss

Look at the works in this exhibition:

Reality Check: Truth and Illusion in Contemporary Photography Check: Truth and Illusion in Con
http://www.metmuseum.org/special/reality_check/photography_images.asp

Select 2 and use them as evidence to discuss the statement above

 Present your discussion in essay format

 Include the images
 Approx 1000 words
 Due: Week 3

Other places to look:

Jeff Wall 2007 http://www.moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/2007/jeffwall/

Sleepwalkers 2008 http://www.moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/2007/aitken/

WEEK 2 ESSAY HOMEWORK

Area: Is the Artist a valid social commentator?

Focus: Conceptual Framework

Question: Do artists “report” on the real world or create their own world?

OR

Artists have a duty to represent the world as it is.

Present a case for OR against this statement.

 Present in essay format

 Include relevant images
 Approx 1200 words
 Due: Week 5

Places to look:

Depth of Field: Modern Photography at the Metropolitan

http://www.metmuseum.org/special/se_event.asp?OccurrenceId={6DE8C992-2F7D-4051-B285-
D5F2490FBB8E}
SOME TO TRY AT HOME

Artworks shape the way we understand culture.

With reference to this statement, explain how artists raise awareness of economic, political or social
issues.

Analyse the psychological world of the artist in relation to their work.

Examine how popular perceptions of the artist as hero, eccentric or misfit influence artistic practice.

Explain how the understanding of the audience can differ from the intentions of the artist.

‘Artists deliberately set out to provoke audience reactions.’

Argue a case both for and against this statement.

Explain how a particular view of the world is represented in an exhibition you have seen or read
about.

Evaluate the view that art reflects the social values of a particular time and place.

‘Artists’ interpretations of the world are constrained by their time and place.’
Evaluate this statement with reference to particular examples.

Explain the ways in which social identity is addressed in the work of artists.