The topic is by self choice

Prompt1In the period between the two World Wars, a number of artistic movements emerged that offered utopian alternatives to contemporary society. In response to World War I, Dada and Surrealism presented a critique of nationalism and bourgeois values. Constructivism, De Stijl, and the Bauhaus offered the possibility that the “artist as engineer” would turn to industry and machinery to create a better world. Address the challenges to the political and artistic status quo that some of these movements made. Cite several specific examples by at least two artists. Prompt 2: Following the end of World War II in 1945, the center of the art world shifted from Europe to the New World, particularly New York. Cite at least two postwar art movements that were a result of this shift and address what new ideas emerged as a result of this shift. In your response be sure to include analysis of specific works of art. Choose only one prompt as expand topic In this course, you will write two 600-word essays that demonstrate the conventions of art-historical research and analysis. The essay topics may be an expansion of topics that you have investigated as a part of your course discussions. You will draw upon the skills required for analyzing a work of art, which include looking at the work of art, identifying style, discussing the meaning of the subject (and symbols where appropriate), and placing the work in historical context, to successfully craft each writing. Essay Requirements Each essay must adhere to the following guidelines and standards: Title Page Each 600-word essay must begin with a title page that includes the following information: essay title name name of the course professor’s name date word count. Thesis Statement This is a concise statement that tells the reader what the essay is about and what your main point or points are. It should offer a well-thought-out, central idea rather than an overtly argumentative statement. The evidence (primary and secondary sources) you provide for your thesis will include your interpretation, analysis, and description of the characteristics of works of art and texts, and must at all times relate to your thesis. Review The Writers’ Studio document Thesis Statements for additional guidance. Analysis Formal Analysis You must discuss at least two images in each essay that serve as support for your thesis and analysis. For each image discussed, write a caption stating what it depicts. Images should be placed at the end of your text. Use Chicago/Turabian style to label your images. At the center of the art-historical method is a thorough visual analysis. Carefully explain the work(s) chosen to the reader to serve as the basis for your analysis. Visual analysis can include thinking of line, shape, form, space, texture, value, light, color, time, repetition, variety, rhythm, balance, compositional unity, emphasis, economy, and proportion. Develop visual analysis by looking carefully at a work of art to determine what is important about its form and parts. Review The Writers’ Studio document Writing in Art History for commonly used art-historical tools. Historical and Cultural Context Research the historical and cultural issues related to the era and region of your topic. Why was the piece made, and how was it used? Who owned it, and who could see it? Compare and contrast similar pieces or artists of the time. What was the content, meaning, or message of the piece or pieces you are looking at, as understood by the people of that time and place? References Select two or more scholarly sources (primary and/or secondary sources) relevant to your topic. Document your sources using footnotes set in Chicago/Turabian style. Do not use endnotes or parenthetical citations. Refer to this course’s SCAD Library resource guide for further guidance on proper references as well as additional library resources that are available. Sources that are unacceptable include any encyclopedia, reference works such as the Grove Dictionary of Art, and most Internet sources. Primary Sources Primary sources refer to the original materials (not what another author says about them) created usually at the time under study. In the case of art, primary sources will most likely be the art (paintings, sculptures, installations) itself, interviews with artists, manifestos, contemporary criticism, some theoretical writings, and personal and public correspondence. Secondary Sources Secondary sources are interpretations and commentary on primary sources, especially works of art. Secondary sources include books (monographs, anthologies, and exhibition catalogs) and articles in scholarly journals. Sources that are unacceptable include any encyclopedia, reference works such as the Grove Dictionary of Art, and most Internet sources. The best bibliography will be made up of a variety of sources, and websites should only be cited judiciously. Review The Writers’ Studio document Using Endnotes or Footnotes in Chicago Style for the most commonly used elements of these styles. Resources Barnett, Sylvan. A Short Guide to Writing About Art, 11th Edition. Prentice Hall, 2014. Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. 8th ed. University of Chicago Press. SCAD’s Writers’ Studio Survey of Western Art Library Guide