What is a mark? How can one mark be loaded with meaning? How can it convey a sense of drama, purpose, presence, absence, etc.? How do repeated marks support meaning in a different way then lone marks? What are ways marks can be made? 

 

 

1 example from 2000 BCE to Prehistoric 

1 example from 500 - 0 

1 example from 500 - 1000

1 example from 1000 - 1700 

1 example from 1700 - 1850 

2 examples from 1850 - 1950 

3 examples from 1950 - today 

 

For each of your selected examples, you will analyze the work of art focusing specifically on the use of mark-making and/or line and how that mark / line is used to convey meaning. You will submit your work in a word document or pdf file on GoStudio, and print a copy for your binder. See ‘procedure’ for specific assignment details.

 

1. What is a line, mark? Before you begin your assignment, take a moment to write a short reflection on how line can be formed / how many ways it can be used in visual art, thinking of as many examples you can think of through history. Jot them down. 

 

2. Research. Go to the library, find your 10 primary examples (see above under ‘description’ for the breakdown of # of artists per time period). To find your examples, you should use books instead of the internet, the librarians will show you where the historical books can be found.  Often, works are mis-attributed online, especially historical ones. 

 

3. Once you have selected your 10 primary source examples, take notes on each of the works - first write down the caption information (artist (if any is listed, which you may not run into until the 1500s), approx. year made, location of the work, medium, original use). Then take notes on the work responding to the following questions for each example: 

a) What specific element of line / mark are you interested in with this work? (i.e. is there a specific portion of the work where this exists, or is it used throughout the piece?) 

b) Did the artist create this mark, or was it added later? What is the history behind that? 

c) Describe how the mark / line is used formally in the work, and how it conveys meaning, and what that meaning is

 

This portion can be fairly brief, but I do expect roughly one paragraph for each example. 

 

4. Reflect. Write a short paragraph reflecting on what you noticed as you compiled your examples together - do you see a trend? Is there a certain type of mark-making you are particularly drawn to? How have these artists used line to covey meaning? How can you apply it to your own studio work? 

 

5. Take pictures of your examples. You will be finding these in books - so you can either look up the images online, scan the images from the book, or snap a photo with your phone. Include these images in your final word document. 

 

6. Compile everything into one document. Label each portion. Remember to cite any sources you use. For this assignment, you may use any style (Chicago, MLA, etc). Please remember to cite your image sources.