So this week, as part of your midterm, we will be looking

So this week, as part of your midterm, we will be looking at what we have learned about the meaning of the visual arts, the ways we describe and analyze art, and now how artists utilize symbolic visual language.As a warm-up, I’d like you to watch the following two short videos about South African artist William Kentridge, below. He draws with the dry media of charcoal and colored chals. The first video is about his charcoal drawing/erasing/animation process and the second one is about his experiment in drawing/animation simply with bits of black paper.Assignment: (PLEASE READ ALL ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE WATCHING THE FILM.)For this, you are going to put on your film critic’s cap and write a review-like essay offering both a formal and personal analysis of this animation. As part of your “critical” viewing, allow yourself an hour to watch this piece and make notes as you do so.Part One:In “The Man Who Planted Trees”, artist Frederic Back uses many of the elements and principles of art and design. For the first part of this assignment, specifically, note the places in the film (using the minute markers) where you especially notice the use of each the following artistic tools:Values – in modeling figures, in establishing an emotional tone, in creating a sense of space. Where are light values most effective? Dark?Contrast – of value, scale, color, shape, positive/negative areas, etc. Describe one scene in which contrast of some type helps the artist tell the story.Implied depth – overlapping of objects, change in scale, position on the picture plane, juxtaposition of large and small objects, linear and/or atmospheric/aerial perspective. Where do you most notice him using these illusionistic tools? Describe one scene as an example.Point of view – above, below, on the horizon line; looking up (mouse eye view), down (bird’s eye view), sideways. What is one scene with an unexpected point of view? Think about one and two-point perspective also.Line orientation – vertical, horizontal, diagonal. Find scenes where different line orientation is used – Describe a scene using mostly vertical lines; what effect do they create? Describe a scene using mostly horizontal lines; what effect do they create? Describe a scene in which diagonal lines are used to add to the sense of motion in the animation.Color – Complementary, analogous, monochromatic, warm, cool. How does color emphasize meaning and suggest emotions/drama in the narrative? Do you think there is color symbolism at work in any of the scenes?Medium – Think about the expressive qualities of charcoal. How does the use of charcoal in this animation contribute to the feeling of the story?Part Two:All the terms in part one of this assignment should be familiar to you by now as we have employed them in previous assignments. In part two of your review, I would like you to analyze “The Man Who Planted Trees” using new terms from this week’s class materials. Particularly “symbolism” and “metaphor.”Your reading and the Powerpoint discuss how a symbol is an image or sign that is understood by a group to stand for something.The metaphorical meanings of art are also covered, but as a reminder, metaphor is defined as “a figure of speech in which one thing symbolically stands for another, perhaps unrelated, thing or idea.” This same relationship can occur with images but depend upon a certain level of viewer knowledge and insight.1. Using these two definitions, review your notes and the imagery of the film.2. List three “symbols” you believe Fredrick Back has used in his storytelling.3. Then tell me if you found his use of these symbols effective. How did you respond as a viewer to these symbols as you experienced them?4. Provide also two instances in the animation where the artist used metaphor to enhance his meaning. (Be aware that in art metaphor can occur not just through imagery but also through the choice of materials, colors, and motion.)5. Then relate if you were you aware of the metaphor occurring when you first saw the film. Or did metaphorical relationships reveal themselves as you reflected on the piece? How did Back’s use of visual metaphor impact you as a viewer?Write at least 400 words about this film addressing the above. (This is double what you’ve been submitting, but you should have enough vocabulary and background information now that 400 words shouldn’t be too difficult. Especially if you address all the assignment’s points.Please submit this assignment in a multiple-paragraph essay form, not as a list.Appreciating art eventually boils down to having a solid foundation in basic vocabulary and critical thinking and this film offers so many ways to explore what you’ve been learning.Good luck and I look forward to reading your work!Summary – one 400 word minimum multiple-paragraph essay addressing the outlined points on the assigned video. No peer responses required this time, just you and your knowledge and thoughts.PreviousNext.