Close Read

I used the Close Read format extensively last year. I really like it and enjoyed the Context aspect of it. Before that I had used a more traditional and complex critiquing format (similar to Art Talk).

I've decided to combine the two.

What I like:

• Close Read works great for beginning students. It is simplified and it helps them break down the critiquing structure into bits that are easy to do. Gives them the confidence to find "clues" and make inferences. I tell them it's like being a detective.
• Context step helps them make sure they do research on artist, background and make connections. Love it!
• Not too intimidating for 1st year art students in HS. They tend to freak out if we ask for formal analysis as they do not yet have enough experience using elements and principles to create. That comes with time, to have the vocabulary and experience making decisions.

What I don't like:

• The judgment is way too vague, only referring to whether one likes the piece or not. An artistic judgment should include thoughtful responses and analysis of artist's intentions and decisions. Especially to use CR for student work, they need to think about their strengths and weaknesses regarding those decisions in order to make improvements.
• I've added prompts to make a more thoughtful judgment.
• Missing a formal analytical step crucial to more advanced students. This step should address the formal qualities of an artwork, decisions artist made about composition, elements, principles, etc. 
• I would add a step for advanced students.

So, with a little tweaking, I am continuing with CR.  The cool thing is, it's ALL THE RAGE in CPS. Mentioned in connection to CCSS and CPS preferred way for us to do units. CPS Art programs are strongly encouraging us to use CR. So when I include it in my unit/lesson plans, it hits those points and makes evaluators happy. Will help with my own REACH evaluation. 

I made a powerpoint to teach beginning students about CR. Once they get the hang of it, we use this method all year long. I've shared it with Every Art Every Child on Google docs. I don't know how to put a powerpoint on this blog. But maybe EAEC can do that?  Matt? 

Let me know what you guys do for critiques. I'd love to see other methods. Always learning...

Valerie

Installations by Osorio

As I was watching this Art 21 piece on Pepón Osorio, I was struck by some of his comments regarding installations and how they may be relevant to our Studio Thinking project as we prepare for our own exhibition of the artist teacher.

Pepón says, "I feel like I needed to say something that had to be beyond something on the wall. I need to create a space that is overpowering." Our work within the Studio Thinking project and how we consider promoting the artist teacher as connoisseur is definitely going to have to tell a story beyond what we display on the walls in our exhibition.

He is also very interested in provoking change, which is something that came up in our summer workshops and inspired the idea for an exhibition.  According to Pepón, he wants his installations to cause people to ask "who they are in relatinship to what they have just seen and to start a negotiation with not only the artwork, but with the public at large." 

Take a look at this clip and see if you find any connections with your ideas for an exhibition.

Watch Place on PBS. See more from ART:21.

Cynthia Gehrie's "Teacher as Connoisseur" Presentation

During our summer professional development workshops at the end of June, Dr. Cynthia Gehrie presented this slideshow in which she introduced, discussed, and reflected on the concepts of the teacher as connoisseur/researcher and critique/curation as a method to bring forward student feedback.

Take a look at this movie clip to see and hear her presentation.