Kim Prati

SLM -521

Last updated 3/20/06

Web Dropin 4

Art Critic

James Estrin/The New York Times

In February 2005, artist Christo and his wife, Jeanne-Claude unveiled a large scale, temporary, environmental artwork in Central Park, New York City called "The Gates". The installation received many reviews. Choose two of the reviews below and read the reviews online.

"An Appraisal: In a Saffron Ribbon, a Billowy Gift to the City," by Michael Kimmelman, published February 13, 2005 in the New York Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/13/arts/13kimmelman.html?ex=1266123600&%2338;en=1b276e70c7af740e&%2338;ei=5088&

"Curtain Up," by Mark Stevens, published February 28, 2005 New York Magazine.

http://www.newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/arts/art/reviews/11134/index.html

"An 'uplifting' diversion in New York's Central Park," by Peter Daniels, published February 22, 2005 on wsws.org (World Socialist Web Site).

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/feb2005/gate-f22.shtml

"Reviews: New York: Central Park," by Cathy Byrd, published February 2005 in Contemporary Magazine, Issue 73.

http://www.contemporary-magazine.com/reviews73_1.htm

 

ACTIVITY:

Reviewing an artwork usually involves four steps: description, analysis, interpretation and judgement. Let's see how well our critics did! Complete the chart below by filling in the blanks with information found in the reviews.

 
 

Article 1/Title:

 

 

Article 2/Title:

 

 

DESCRIPTION

Facts about the artists

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

DESCRIPTION

Facts about materials, production, and/or costs of the artwork

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

ANALYSIS

Does the author make any comments about balance, harmony, movement, rhythm or composition or other art principles? If so, list.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

INTERPRETATION

What does the author suggest that the artist was trying to do/say? Does he/she include any quotes to back up his position?

 

 

 

 

    

JUDGEMENT

What is the author's overall tone? (positive, negative, reserved, enthusiastic etc.)

 

    

JUDGEMENT

List any quotes that you think capture the spirit of the article.

 

 

    

JUDGEMENT

Does the article make you wish you had seen the show?

    

 

FOLLOW UP:

For more critiques, see "Young Critics see 'The Gates' and offer their reviews" by Julie Salamon, Published February 17, 2005.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/17/arts/design/17kids.html?ex=1143003600&en=e701657af6646fe2&ei=5070

 

NEXT STEP:

Tomorrow, you will be the art critic as we review a piece of contemporary art.