OVERVIEW
Art Production Level 3 is comprised of four (4) compulsory units of study:
- Visual Thinking – Interpreting art
- Investigating and interpreting through art making
- Art in context
- Realisation and resolution.
UNIT 1: VISUAL THINKING – INTERPRETING ART
This Unit requires learners to understand and apply visual thinking skills. Visual thinking skills include the ability to:
- view works of art or design
- understanding the visual codes and conventions (principles and elements of design) in order to describe, explain, analyse, interpret — and ultimately to develop a personal visual aesthetic
- visually record
- inspirations, influences, ideas, thoughts, messages, media, analysis of works of art or design — using technology, developing and refining ideas and skills, and working towards resolution of works of art or design.
Learners develop visual thinking skills in order to analyse and interpret the artwork of others and refine their own artmaking process.
Learners are exposed to artworks from pre and post 1990 (which may include Australian works and those of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island culture) and respond verbally, practically and in written form as they clarify and expand their understanding of art as a means of communication.
Learners use their knowledge to deconstruct and appraise the use of:
- materials, techniques and processes
- the ways in which artworks are produced, and the materials and techniques used
- how materials, techniques and processes help to determine the appearance and subsequent interpretation of artworks
- ideas, concepts and approaches
- the meaning or intention behind an art work and the understanding that meaning is subjective and influenced by social, historical and cultural context
- how artists use artmaking as a voice to communicate ideas and concepts as well as manipulate the response of an intended audience.
Learners use the knowledge gained above to experiment with their own art making in response to teacher directed tasks, recording their exploration in visual diaries/journals for future development and refinement.
Key Knowledge:
- the principles and elements of design
- the use of materials, techniques and processes specific to studio areas
- ways in which artists work is influenced by socio/historical and cultural context
- how meaning is made and communicated in artwork.
Key Skills:
- using vocabulary to describe and analyse own work and the work of others
- applying techniques, processes and technologies to own artmaking
- employing the principles and elements of design to communicate artistic intent.
WORK REQUIREMENTS – UNIT 1
- Two (2) completed artworks
- Support material
- One (1) minor Assignment, a short interpretation and analysis of selected artworks or artists (500 to 700 words).
UNIT 2: INVESTIGATING AND INTERPRETING THROUGH ART MAKING
In this Unit learners use the artmaking process to develop their own art responses; inspired by ideas, concepts and observations. Learners explore and consider approaches to artmaking in the broader classifications of Pre-Modernism, Modernism and Post-Modernism. Learners use their investigation and research to support and drive their own artmaking and development of a personal visual aesthetic.
A personal visual aesthetic is developed through:
- exposure to diverse forms and ideas
- encouraging self-analysis and exploration of personal beliefs/ideas/values
- recording processes and ideas visually
- annotating artworks to justify decision making
- developing works of art to communicate specific ideas.
Learners will engage in artmaking in their preferred studio and utilise inspiration in various forms to enhance their work such as gallery visits, researching artists, engaging with art communities and sensory experiences.
Learners begin to apply processes to develop their personal artmaking practice:
- Experimentation
- exploring related techniques and processes to further develop their practical work
- manipulating their medium to develop new skills and enhance their artistic practice
- Refinement
- employing as refinement process: explore/experiment/reflect/analyse/evaluate/apply
- justifying choices and processes: verbally and through annotation.
Learners apply reflective processes to document the progress of their work. They are encouraged and supported to link theoretical understanding with practical application.
Key Knowledge:
- influences and inspirations in own and others’ artwork
- primary and secondary visual influences
- broad exposure to art making/makers.
Key Skills:
- processes for developing and refining artwork
- applying techniques and approaches demonstrating expressive and technical competence
- selecting, manipulating and refining media to create communicate artistic intent.
WORK REQUIREMENTS – UNIT 2
- Two (2) completed artworks
- Support material
- One (1) minor assignment (non essay based), outlining inspirations and influences on the learners work (may take other forms such as virtual exhibition or PowerPoint presentation.)
UNIT 3: ART IN CONTEXT
In this Unit learners will consider context, viewpoints and commentaries in relation to artworks.
They explore the roles of:
- the artist
- the audience
- the context in which an artwork is created
- the context in which an artwork is subsequently viewed.
Information from visiting artists, galleries, lectures, online programs, journals, podcasts, catalogues, newspapers as well as texts from critics, historians and curators may be used to support the learners understanding of the way in which art can affect the way people think.
Diverse approaches to both the creation of art work and the ideas and approaches behind works of art are explored in relation to societal changes including post-modernism, post-colonialism, globalization and environmental issues.
Learners will expand upon personal points of view and opinion with evidence built from research and exposure to artists and artworks both contemporary and historical.
In their own artmaking, learners will apply their understanding of the significance of context, viewpoint and commentary to inform their own developing body of work through:
- making and documenting
- developing a body of work that conveys a cohesive viewpoint or commentary
- identifying and explaining choices made throughout the artistic process
- reflecting and refining
- reflecting on ideas and concepts to deepen and strengthen existing intention
- combining ideas, research and viewpoints to form a coherent argument or rationale.
Key Knowledge:
- the effect of context on artmaking
- how points of view influence the interpretation of artwork
- how the display and presentation of artwork influences opinion
- processes for reflecting and refining artwork to give coherence.
Key Skills:
- applying processes for developing and refining artwork
- using appropriate techniques and approaches to communicate artistic intent
- thorough documentation of key ideas and concept that lead to the creation of resolved works
- conveying point of view in own artwork.
WORK REQUIREMENTS – UNIT 3
- Two (2) completed artworks
- Support material
- Two (2) minor assignments, one a response to the place of viewpoint/commentary in artwork and the second a response to an issue or context revealed through artwork(s) (600 to 800 words each).
UNIT 4: REALISATION AND RESOLUTION
In this Unit learners will use the art process to continue to develop a cohesive body of work inspired by ideas, concepts and observations. They engage in ongoing development and refinement. They document and analyse their thinking and working practices through appropriate visual language and art specific terminology in visual diaries and reflection critiques.
The culmination of this Unit requires learners to have produced a cohesive body of work suitable for exhibition with extensive support materials documenting their process.
Learners are required to complete a major research task related to their own practice utilizing their expanded awareness of visual art language and context.
Key Knowledge:
- the characteristics of a cohesive body of work
- ways in which art is presented to enhance visual aesthetic and communicate intent
- broad exposure to art making/makers.
Key Skills:
- processes for developing and refining artwork
- refining techniques and approaches which demonstrate expressive and technical competence
- presenting artwork for an audience.
WORK REQUIREMENTS – UNIT 4
- One (1) completed body of work (It is expected that the learners body of work will be comprised of a minimum of the equivalent of eight (8) resolved individual pieces of work*)
- Support material
- One (1) major research assignment pertaining to learners own work (minimum 1500 words) may include/focus on artworks, artists, movements or techniques that have influenced the learners own work.
*The completed body of work may or may not include artwork created in previous Units.