Interesting approach to visual literacy and art

[Brian Reverman]

I've recently stumbled upon a new way of approaching the task of analyzing and writing about art. It's called the FTC (form, theme, context) palette and was designed by Renee Sandell of George Mason University. You can check it out at her website. In my opinion it is a more useful approach to critical writing for the post-modern age than the usual Observation, Analysis, Interpretation and Evaluation that has been used in arted for quite a while. I think it fits especially well with the IB curriculum. I'd be curious to hear what you think.

[kendra Farrell]

We have students writing art reviews using the "old fashioned" method of describe, analyze, interpret and judge. What I like about this approach is that it is direct requiring no previous knowledge of the artist or art period. One addresses the work on a more emotional level first. We tell the student to choose one piece that they are attracted to. The main objective is for the responder to engage with the work by first really seeing what's there, then noticing how it is structured (its form), coming up with ones own interpretation (possible theme) and saying what it is one likes or doesn't like about the piece.
At first read this FTC method could be the next phase of the conversation about a work or body of work once one has already become familiar with it.

[kendra Farrell]

Just found this website that seems relevant to this topic

[David]

Thanks Kendra and Brian- both of these are really useful ways of thinking about conversations in the art classroom-

Kendra, I actually started using VTS this year on recommendation from Kris Fontes, a friend who teaches art in the states. It uses strategies similar to ones I was taught in grad school, but keeps things simple and on track. Its worked great for me.

Brian, I like how Sandall's work builds practical foundations on the theoretical work of Olivia Gude. I've been reading as much of her work as I can recently, its exciting stuff ( although that says more about me being an art ed geek than anything else i'm sure) -anyway, this points to interesting new directions down that path.

Thanks!

[Patrick O'Connor]

Thanks for posting this. Very interesting readings.

[Brian Reverman]

David - There's a very provocative and interesting article by Paul Duncum in the Jan 2010 issue of Art Education (from the NAEA) titled Seven Principles for Visual Culture Education. He puts forth a set of new foundational concepts for art education. Unfortunately I couldn't find an online version.

David said:

Thanks Kendra and Brian- both of these are really useful ways of thinking about conversations in the art classroom-

Kendra, I actually started using VTS this year on recommendation from Kris Fontes, a friend who teaches art in the states. It uses strategies similar to ones I was taught in grad school, but keeps things simple and on track. Its worked great for me.

Brian, I like how Sandall's work builds practical foundations on the theoretical work of Olivia Gude. I've been reading as much of her work as I can recently, its exciting stuff ( although that says more about me being an art ed geek than anything else i'm sure) -anyway, this points to interesting new directions down that path.

Thanks!

[Luise Guest]

I like this and will definitely try it out with my very diverse Year 11 class. In the NSW (Australian) curriculum we have some (I think) overly complex structures whereby students have to learn how to use 4 different 'frames', or orientations and a conceptual framework based on the theories of Micheal Baxendall. It makes them anxious about 'getting it wrong' and often takes all the joy and authenticity out of their art writing. I often encourage them to use a rather 'old school' Feldman approach of describe, analyse and interpret as they find this makes more sense, but it is a bit limiting. The additional element of the context is really important I think!

Luise

[Brian Reverman]

Luise - I just stumbled on your message from August.  Sorry, I guess I should check my page more often.  I've just updated my website.  It has lots of info on FTC and some examples from students.  It also has a projects to share page which shows how I weave FTC into my projects.  I like it better than Feldman because it asks students to think beyond the visual.  Let me know what you think.  Any suggestions would be welcome.

[Nicki Hambleton]

I am interested in others' opinions on the debate of how you encourage meaningful discussions and written analysis in art. What methods do other teachers use, particularly with Middle School students? This FTC seems relevant in today's art context and a I would love to see it in practice.

[Brian Reverman]

Nikki - If you go here there are some examples from my high school classes and some middle school examples from my colleague Nupur Gupta's classes in Bombay.  If you surf through the section on 21st century connections you'll find different examples.  There are some MS e-portfolios and videos of kids talking about art that are quite impressive.

Nicki Hambleton said:

I am interested in others' opinions on the debate of how you encourage meaningful discussions and written analysis in art. What methods do other teachers use, particularly with Middle School students? This FTC seems relevant in today's art context and a I would love to see it in practice.

[Nicki Hambleton]

Thanks so much Brian!

Brian Reverman said:

Nikki - If you go here there are some examples from my high school classes and some middle school examples from my colleague Nupur Gupta's classes in Bombay.  If you surf through the section on 21st century connections you'll find different examples.  There are some MS e-portfolios and videos of kids talking about art that are quite impressive.

Nicki Hambleton said:

I am interested in others' opinions on the debate of how you encourage meaningful discussions and written analysis in art. What methods do other teachers use, particularly with Middle School students? This FTC seems relevant in today's art context and a I would love to see it in practice.

[Aaron Reed]

Hey Brian,

Just found this Asian art educators site. You seem pretty active on it. Has it been helpful?

I'm intrigued by the FTC thing -- I haven't had any really good Art Ed PD in pretty much forever. Thanks for the link to her site.  Let me know if you ever get to Japan for conferences, etc.

HI to the family,

AR

[Brian Reverman]

Hey, how's it going.  this is a good networking site.  My partner here in Beijing runs it.  Are you going to EARCOS in March in Shanghai?  I'll be presenting a workshop on these ideas there.  Hope to see you.  How's Yokohama?  We've heard it is a good school.  Hope all is well.