Saturday, February 25, 2012

Suggestions for writing an exhibition review/critique


When writing your critique, assume your audience knows little to nothing about the subject you will be presenting.

^ Start with an introduction/overview – the who, what, where, when and WHY
            What is the overarching message the artist/curator/creator is trying to communicate?  Is it successful? Why or why not?
            How is the message conveyed? Objects, labels, panels, multimedia, manipulatives?
            What is the objective? Commemorative, celebratory, biography, oeuvre, community outreach

^ Consider the intended audience: families, adults, special interest groups, children, those with college or advanced degrees, etc.

^ Select a few key items to illustrate your points

^ Assess the layout & lighting, soundproofing. Is the atmosphere conducive to a solitary or shared experience? Was there a natural path through the material? Was the text readable, too short, too long?

^ Was there a dominant narrative voice or perceived bias or agenda?

^ Use examples to highlight methodology used from class lectures and your text books (what method is employed in telling the “story:” labor, economic, gender, craft, connoisseurship, political, etc.

^ Conclude with your assessment

Specifications
Single space
3-5 pages (undergrads)
5-7 pages (graduate students)
Minimum of three references to course texts and lectures
At least one illustration
Footnotes

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