how is art made + why is art made = IB’s DP study of Visual Arts
To get started… begin considering……What is important to you? How can you use Art to express your ideas and identity? What do we mean by truth and reality in Art? What are the moral obligations of an artist? What do we expect from Art? How do your ideas relate to world issues? How do you use art in response to world cultures and issues?
Next, to be successful in IB DP VA it is helpful to be VERY familiar with quite a few artists. You want to look at a range of artists – choose a few up-and-coming (unknowns), a few good contemporary, and some masters. Every project you do should be inspired by (at least) 2-3 artists.
Also, familiarize yourself with what IB requires of you – specifically the 3 components for submission:
Then, start looking around you. Visit art galleries. Take photos. Browse the internet, Instagram, youtube, pinterest, watch some tiktoks of artists working and start thinking about YOU AS AN ARTIST.
Being a DP Visual Arts student means…..
- being playful with materials and ideas
- looking at things more closely or from different perspectives
- thinking critically
- finding beauty or something interesting in everyday things and situations
- making connections between different ideas
- making connections between different ‘areas of knowledge’
- going beyond ordinary ways of thinking and doing things
- being a risk-taker
- arranging things in new and interesting ways
- exposing yourself to possible failure
- daydreaming
- concentrating
THREE CORE AREAS OF UNDERSTANDING
Visual Art IN CONTEXT: This is about the why of art. Why do different cultures make art? What does it tell us about our history and us? Are there rules to making art and can I break them? You will write and you will experiment with media to develop artworks in response to your research.
Visual Art METHODS This is making art; in other words, all the activities that you would expect to do in the studio using a wide range of media from photography and digital manipulation to painting, sculpture, installation, textiles, and more. This course encourages you to explore different ways to make art; not just what you are comfortable with.
COMMUNICATING Visual Arts: This is you as an artist. You will produce a series of artworks for an exhibition. You will decide how to best present this exhibition so as to make an impact on the viewers.
THIS COURSE WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK
The Visual Arts Journal: This is a record of your studies which will include research, reflection, responses, and creative ideas for exploration and development.
Theoretical Practice – COMPARATIVE STUDY (20%): This is a critical and contextual investigation (which means considering why art is the way it is) You will analyze and compare art and artifacts by different artists and from different cultures. You will then develop a practical outcome from your study. This is all about looking at art and responding to what you see.
Art-Making Practice – PROCESS PORTFOLIO (40%): You will explore different techniques and develop your skills. You will make art using media both familiar and new. This is all about experimenting and learning new skills.
Curatorial Practice – EXHIBITION (40%): This is the culmination of your course. You will put on an exhibition of your finished artwork. This is about you as an artist.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
CHOOSE YOUR ART FORMS
For IB Art, students are expected to work through a variety of mediums. Usually, most students are more skilled at only a few techniques (not everyone is great at everything), so I advise my students to fulfill the art-making forms – and then focus the majority of their work in their strongest media. Of course, I also love mixed media works – so those can work as well.
Specifically, for SL students, submitted works must be in AT LEAST TWO art-making forms, each from separate columns below.
For HL students, submitted works must be in AT LEAST THREE art-making forms, from a minimum of two columns below.
KNOW THE CRITERIA – STUDY THE RUBRICS
DIGITAL SUBMISSIONS = TECHNICAL PRECISION
Make sure that you are formatting your screens correctly. Always include your references. Cite IN-TEXT. And label all images and artworks.
