Research Paper
Fall
2013.
Senior
Fine Arts
Seminar
Research
Paper: Interview an Artist
Write
a profile of a living artist. Your research will include (1) your interview of
the artist and (2) at least two written sources about the artist (reviews,
articles, artist statements, press releases).
Describe
and discuss the artist’s work. What is the art about? What does the art look
like? How is it made? How does the work’s physical properties convey or embody
its meaning? How has the artist’s work changed over the years? How has the
artist’s career developed—shows, sales, recognition? What are the artist’s
influences/inspirations? What day jobs has the artist held? How has where the
artist lived affected the art? How have the artist’s personal relationships
influenced the art? Students are encouraged to see the artist’s work in person.
Discuss specific artworks in detail—and include reproductions of the artworks.
Address how the art relates to various contexts, such as in
relation to themes in contemporary art; to social, political, scientific,
spiritual and scientific contexts; to the artist’s biography; to the artist’s
peers; etc.
1.
Artist interview.
Students
must interview an artist in person (preferred) or by phone. Interviews may not
be conducted by e-mail. (Students needing special accommodations to fulfill
this part of the assignment should discuss them with their teacher in advance.)
Students may choose any living artist, except those with ties to Montserrat (student,
teacher, staff, alums). Students are encouraged to try to meet the artists in
their studios, and photograph the artists and their work for images to include
with the final paper. Students must prepare an (at least) one-page transcript
from the interview.
2.
Research paper.
Your
essay will be based on your research – your interview of the artist and reading
about the artist. Be sure to note your sources – plagiarism will not be
tolerated. The focus of the paper is your selected artist, but in your
discussion of their artwork you may also speak about how your own work relates
to their artwork.
The
paper must include a bibliography listing at least two sources. Bibliography
format: Author (last name first), “Title of Reading,” name of
newspaper/magazine/blog/journal it appeared in, date of publication, page of
publication, web link. Examples:
Book:
Dukes Jordan, Matthew, “Weirdo Deluxe: The Wild World of Pop Surrealism &
Lowbrow Art,” 2005.
Magazine/newspaper:
Meland, Louis, “Top of the Pops: Did Andy Warhol change everything?” The New
Yorker, Jan. 11, 2010, pages 57-65.
Research
paper length: Five page essay, plus separate bibliography, one-page
transcription of interview, and of the artist’s work. The paper must be typed
and printed out when turned in.
Deadlines:
1.
Discussion classes of week
of Sept. 23:
Students must provide a brief written update on which artist they have chosen
and when they are scheduled to interview them. The sooner you interview the
artist the better.
2.
Discussion classes of week
of Oct. 21:
Turn in one-page transcript of (part of) the interview.
3.
Discussion classes of week
of Oct. 28:
Final research paper due.
Assignments
will lose one letter grade for each week they are late. Failure to turn in a
paper will result in a zero, which could result in you failing this class.
