Appreciation and Criticism: Talking and Writing About the Arts
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Aesthetic appreciation is a central concept of the Sri Lankan aesthetic curriculum (NIE, n.d.). It means looking, listening, and responding thoughtfully, and being able to explain your response.
Feldman's Four Steps
Feldman (1967) proposed a method for talking about art that works for any art form:
| Step | Question | Example (a painting) |
| Describe | What do I see or hear? | "A woman stands beside a window; the colors are warm" |
| Analyze | How is it made? | "Diagonal lines lead the eye to her face; light contrasts with dark" |
| Interpret | What does it mean? | "The window suggests longing and the unknown" |
| Judge | How good is it, and why? | "The composition supports the mood, though the background is crowded" |
A Vocabulary of Appreciation
Use specific words. Instead of "nice," use harmonious, vibrant, delicate, dynamic, balanced, tense, expressive, rhythmic, poised, evocative, or restrained, and then explain the quality with evidence from the work.
Writing an Appreciation Essay
1. Choose a work and gather information about it.
2. Observe closely several times, taking notes.
3. Draft a thesis: a clear statement of your judgment.
4. Organize by element (such as color, composition, mood) or by section.
5. Support each claim with examples.
6. Add context: artist, period, culture, and purpose.
7. Conclude with an overall assessment.
Comparing Works
When you compare two works, decide the basis of comparison, such as subject, technique, or purpose. Note similarities and differences, and explain what they reveal.
Fair and Informed Judgment
Judge a work by what it is trying to do, not by what you wish it were.
Be aware of your own tastes and cultural assumptions.
Be open to unfamiliar traditions, and learn their standards before dismissing them.
Give reasons for your views, and listen to the views of others (Hume, 1757; Sibley, 1959).
Giving and Receiving Critique
A good critique is specific and kind. Start with what works, then describe what could be strengthened, and suggest options. When receiving critique, listen first, ask questions, and decide what is useful. Critique is about the work, not the person.
CHAPTER 11