Formalist CritiquingThe artist remains silent through the first three rounds of analysis. She/he takes notes and answers technical questions.

1. Description –each person adds one thing they see in the image to the visual inventory.

2. Formal Analysis – take turns describing compositional choices, elements and principles of design, choice of light, vantage point, depth of field, contrast, etc.

3. Association – take turns answering the questions; What do the images remind you of? What do the images make you think about? How do they make you feel?

4. Reflection – Now the artist reflects on what they have learned from other peoples impressions and interpretations. What is the relationship between their intention and the perception of the class? What might the artist change or develop further now that they have heard our discussion?

Interpretive PerspectivesThe class as a group chooses which of the following perspectives by which to analyze the images that a person has put up for a critique.

Comparative – Images that deal with aspects of every day life. These images might simply be about documenting another existence but may also be about drawing comparison to point out universal themes in common form.

Archetypal – Images that elevate common subject matter to the level of universal, mythical and archetypal. Such images might reference to gods/goddesses, elements, the martyr, the saint, the hero, etc..

Feminist – Images that question how women have historically been depicted in art. Who is empowered and in control, who is gazing at who, what stereotypical role is the character playing?

Psychoanalytic – Images that create relationships between subject matter and therefore allude to psychological issues like abandonment, abuse, oedipal complex, dreams, etc.

Formalist – Exclusively descriptive observations about composition, elements and principles of design, choice of light, vantage point, depth of field, contrast, etc.

Societal – Images that are in some way manifestations of larger societal issues, politics, or social history.

Biographical – Images that make reference to the artist’s past or that have implied issues that relate to the artist’s past.

Intentionalist – Specific meaning the artist intends for the work.

Stylistic influences – Images made with the specific intent of referencing a particular artistic movement or a particular artist (e.g. Surrealism or Rene Magritte).

Technical Influences - Images made using a particular process or technique that elicits symbolic meaning in and of itself.

Questions to ask regarding Interpretive Perspectives

1. How does the perspective chosen shape the way you view the images?

2. What is the relationship between their intention and the perception of the class?

3. What have you learned about your work from hearing other people’s perspectives?

4. What would you change or develop further?