Grotesque Heads Vocabulary

Write down an art word/term that you have learnt during this unit and then give the meaning of the word next to it. Use my example to help you.

Critical Studies: Giuseppe Arcimboldo

Giuseppe Arcimboldo (also spelled Arcimboldi) was born in 1527 and lived until July 11th, 1593.

He was an Italian painter best known for creating imaginative portrait heads made entirely of objects such as, fruits, vegetables, flowers, fish and books.

His portraits of human heads were greatly admired by his contemporaries and remain a source of fascination today.

Art critics often debate whether Arcimboldo's paintings were created just for fun or as the product of a deranged mind.

However given the Renaissance fascination with riddles, puzzles and the bizarre, arcimboldo, far from being mentally imbalanced, catered to the taste of his times.

What do you think of Arcimboldo's artworks? Do you like them or really hate them.

Remember to give your own opinion. It is important so you need to use it and give reasons behind why you think this way.

Grotesque Heads in Cultures - Venetian Masks

There are records of Venetian masks being worn in the city of Venice dating back to Medieval times, in the 12th and 13th centuries. By the 17th century, however, the wearing of masks for everyday use came to be restricted by the Catholic Church, except for the weeklong celebration of Carnival. This consists of a series of parades, festivals, and dancing prior to the start of the season of Lent, with its 40 days of abstinence.

The masks are generally ornate, bright in colour, and have gold or silver decorations. Some are full-face masks and others only eye masks. And were worn to disguise the wearer from any number of illicit activities: gambling, dancing even political assignation.

Each mask carries with it various theories as to its development and each has its own style.

The Bauta mask likely developed from the tradition of a "bogeyman" story that adults told to children. The Bauta mask is white and covers the entire face. The complete costume of Bauta includes a black cape or veil, a black cloak or mantle, and a three-cornered hat. Both men and women

In the beginning, only women wore the Moretta mask. Made of black velvet and oval in shape, the Moretta covered the face to the outer edges and was held in place by a bit that was placed between the teeth. It first became popular with women wearing it when they visited convents. It was often worn with a veil. By the 18th Century, both men and women were wearing the masks to conceal their identity in the gambling houses.
 but no cutout for the mouth. Because it was so common, it was often known as the "citizen" mask because ordinary people, such as servants, wore it during carnival and other events that called for a disguise.
The Volto, or Larva, mask was among the most common type of mask. It is a simple white mask, making the wearer appear eerie or ghost-like. It was oval in shape and covered the entire face, with cutouts for the eyes,wore the Bauta.Among the most common are the Bauta, Moretta, Volto, and Doctor of the Plague masks.

What will I be Learning in Art and Design?

This unit provides the opportunity for you to explore, investigate and learn about aspects of emotions. Investigating how grotesque heads are portrayed in various artworks such as paintings and masks you will make drawings and design images using a range of materials including pencil, coloured pencil, pen and acrylic paint and 3D construction techniques. You will gain skills in observing, recording and manipulating materials while extending your knowledge of appropriate artists, designers and craftsperson’s. You will also be expected to evaluate your own and other class members progress through this unit making constructive comments on each others work using specific art and design vocabulary


From this unit you will develop the following skills in Art and Design.

Explore

You will be able to use a variety of approaches when exploring and experimenting with ideas, selecting appropriate information and resources in order to develop your work.

Investigate

You will be able to investigate and develop a range of practical skills using the qualities of materials purposefully to suit your design intentions.

Analyse

You will be able to compare and comment on different ideas, methods and approaches used by artists, craftsperson’s and designers, making specific comments about the environment and social situation in which the artwork was made.

Evaluate

You will be able to discuss your own work and that of others and consider how you may adapt and refine your ideas, skills and processes.

Grotesque Heads

Unit Evaluation

Complete this Unit Evaluation sheet and glue in your sketchbook..

Homework 14/12/2010

Complete your object background using either coloured pencil or felt pens, making sure it is completely covered with no white paper showing through. (REMEMBER you can only use primary and secondary colours to do this.)

Go around each object using a black pen, so that it looks the same style as Patrick Caulfield.

Add your identity collage over the top of this background by creating a portrait using cut out magazines.

Add one word to your collage that describes you identity. such as bad, sophisticated, lovely, sporty etc using decorative letters cut out of the headings within the magazines you have used for your identity collage.

Remember you need to think about your composition this is your final piece for this unit and it will be used to level your work, so do your best if you want to reach/surpass your target.