CRITICAL THINKING FOR

UNDERSTANDING DECKModeling the Critique Process

Written and Illustrated by Emily Valenza, 2014

WHAT IS A CRITIQUE?A critique is the process of discussion by which we examine and

evaluate creative works.

A critique can be done alone, with a few people, or in a large

group.

Critiques might be about your work, your classmates’ work, or a

famous piece that is made by someone you do not know.

WHAT DO WE CRITIQUE?Critiques can be applied to any creative endeavor:

● Visual Arts: Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Photography,

Performance Art, Installations, Digital Art, Film, Fashion & Costume

Design, etc.

● Performing Arts: Dance, Musical Compositions, Vocal

Performances, Instrumental Performances, Acting, Playwriting,

Directing, Stage Design, Sound Design, etc!

● Writing

● Cuisine

Can you think of more areas to critique?

WHY DO WE CRITIQUE?

● To understand creative works

● To improve our own work and inspire new work

● To help others understand and improve their work

● To fully experience a creative work

A critique is not meant to be negative.

A good critique is honest and constructive.

CRAFTSMANSHIP

This was made with skill because…

I can identify _____ skills used to create

this piece…

CRAFTSMANSHIP EXAMPLESThis was made with skill because…

I can identify _____ skills used to create this

piece…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKezUd_xw20Carrie Mae Weems, Self Portrait, photograph, 2002

CREATOR’S IDEAS

The ideas in this piece are interesting

because…

I think this was made with _____ purpose

because …

I imagine the thought process/intent of the

creator was _____ because …

CREATOR’S IDEAS EXAMPLESThe ideas in this piece are interesting because…

I think this was made with _____ purpose because …

I imagine the thought process/intent of the creator was

_____ because …

I’m Nobody! Who are you? (260)

Emily Dickinson, 1830 - 1886

I’m Nobody! Who are you?

Are you – Nobody – too?

Then there’s a pair of us!

Don’t tell! they’d advertise – you know!

How dreary – to be – Somebody!

How public – like a Frog –

To tell one’s name – the livelong June –

To an admiring Bog!

Dorothea Tanning, On Time Off Time, 1948

COMPARISON

This differs from _______ because…

This is similar to ________ because…

COMPARISON EXAMPLESThis differs from _______ because…

This is similar to ________ because…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JjLuh4Ns7shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRlUwaNwY4

c

EMOTIONAL RESPONSE

This makes me feel ______ because…

I imagine this piece might make others feel

__________ because…

EMOTIONAL RESPONSE EXAMPLES

This makes me feel ______ because…

I imagine this piece might make others feel __________ because…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIdIqbv7SPoLouise Bourgeois, Maman (Mother), 1999

QUESTIONS

I don’t understand this because…

I wonder what the creator was thinking here

because…

QUESTION EXAMPLESI don’t understand this because…

I wonder what the creator was thinking here

because…

Marc Chagall, Paris Through the Window, 1913

Jenny Holzer,Truisms, Times Square, NY, LED display,

1970’s

INSPIRATION

This piece inspires me to _______

because…

I have an idea to create ______ because…

INSPIRATION EXAMPLES

This piece inspires me to _______ because…

I have an idea to create ______ because…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNJdJIwCF_Y

FORMAL PRINCIPLES

I can describe this with words from class like

…

This relates to our class/lesson because…

FORMAL PRINCIPLES EXAMPLESI can describe this with words from class like

…

This relates to our class/lesson because…

Raphael, School of Athens, Fresco, Apostolic Palace, Vatican City, 1509-1511https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Up6esqYMGU

CONNECTIONS

This reminds me of_____ because…

This is related to ______ because…

CONNECTIONS EXAMPLES This reminds me of_____ because…

This is related to ______ because…

Stuart Mortimer, Squid Series #2,

pink ivory, ebony wood, 2002Arthur Dove, 1941, wax emulsion on canvas, 1941

SUGGESTIONS TO STRUCTURE A

CRITIQUE

● Class discussion

● Pair discussion

● Self-evaluation

● Written responses

o used to structure an essay

o short statements on post-its

o checklist with comments