World In Front of the Artwork

An Art Start Art Activity

Activity objective: to develop skill in researching, analysing and interpreting artworks, with a specific focus on how artworks are viewed by different audiences and in different contexts.

Classroom Activities

Find an example of an artwork that has been viewed or presented in a number of different contexts.

What is your personal response to this artwork?  What sensory effects, meanings or other ideas do does this artwork suggest to you? What makes you think this?

Identify two different ways that this artwork has been viewed by others since it was made. Possibilities to consider include:

• a display/exhibition
• a commentary by an art critic, historian or curator
• a commentary by a member of the public
• a commentary from news items
• a visual response by an artist
• a visual response in popular culture such as an advertisement.
• a creative, imaginative written response by a poet or writer.

Explain what meanings or ideas about the artwork are suggested by the two ways of viewing the work that you have identified. 

Have these ways of viewing or understanding the work informed your own view of the artwork? Explain why.