This Discussion Forum assignment is intended as both a “looking” exercise and a way to get to know your fellow classmates–the way they think, their aesthetics, perhaps a little insight into their soul…

Next, find an image of the piece online and save a copy of it (you will be uploading it later). Get out a piece of paper and a pen, get away from all distractions, put your phone down, and look at your artwork for 15 minutes straight. Set a timer.

As you look, jot down everything you notice about the artwork. To help get you started, here are some optional questions to ask yourself while looking:

What is your eye drawn to? What is the first thing you notice?
What color palette was used– bright colors, muted colors, blues, reds? How does that make you feel?
Who is in the artwork? What kind of people? Young, old, rich, poor? How do you know?
What objects are in the artwork? Are they depicted realistically, or abstractly?
How is the piece organized? Does it feel balanced? Off-kilter?
What’s happening? Is it a scene? Where is it located? How do you know?
Anything and everything else you notice in 15 minutes!

Now, you will summarize your findings in your post. Address the following:

What are some things you noticed?
What was the last thing you noticed? Why do you think it took you 15 minutes to see it?
In your own opinion, what does this piece seem to be saying? What message, implied or explicit, might the artist/architect be conveying? There are no wrong answers here. Consider thinking about how you feel when looking at the piece.
Insert an image of the artwork you are discussing–don’t “attach” it. (On the discussion board menu bar, click on the little icon of a landscape. It is located on the last menu line, 3rd icon from the left. Follow the instructions on the pop-up window to insert your picture.)
Signpost your answers by placing 1., 2., 3., before your answers to those questions. This makes it easier for me to grade and for your fellow classmates to read.

Original Post Requirements:

Your post must be 300+ words long.
All online discussion postings must be typed or pasted into the discussion message window (do not attach a document)
You must create a post before you can view others’ posts