Friday, January 30, 2009

Writing and Visual Imagination: Choosing a Concept


Choosing a concept for your semester-long Concept-folio can be difficult and is certainly challenging. Let's use this post to declare "working concepts", or initial ideas. Post your possible concepts and offer an explanation for your focus. After you post your concept and offer an explanation, be sure to view your classmates' concepts. Offer commendations or criticism and don't be shy. After all, wouldn't you rather reformulate your concept now as opposed to in April? And remember- your concept should transcend disciplines; it must be applicable to:

-visual references: at least 10 color copies of images which exemplify the chosen concept; a list of at least 20 additional images which exemplify the chosen concept- every work of art must be cited with artist, title, date, country of origin, and medium

-3 student-authored critiques of 3 of the chosen color images which display mastery of the visual vocabulary terms addressed in this course; 2 samples of existing criticism, critique, review, or biographical information regarding the other 2 chosen color images

-5 student-authored narratives based upon 5 relevant color images which display a comprehensive understanding of the grammar and sentence pattern techniques addressed in this course

-2 student-authored examinations, with quotes and/or excerpts, of the 2 remaining color images which analyze the works of art in relation to the philosophical viewpoints presented in Plato’s Republic and Leo Tolstoy’s What is Art?

-at least 5 excerpts from literature, poetry, or non-fiction which support or reflect the chosen concept- every excerpt must be cited with author, title, date, and country of origin; a list of at least 20 additional pieces of literature, poetry, or non-fiction which support the chosen concept

-list of at least 10 websites or links which contain highly relevant information regarding the chosen concept

-evidence (photos, journal entries, etc.) of interaction with the community based on the spirit of the concept; for example, a concept-folio entitled “Perceptions of Beauty” may elicit a community-wide visual survey and a concept-folio entitled “Nature and the Arts” may elicit the promotion of a landscape painting excursion to the Norton Conservation on North Worcester Street

-2 page reflection outlining the concept-folio conception, process and results (FINAL EXAM IN-CLASS COMPONENT)

-color copy/copies/original of student artwork inspired by the chosen concept

-other additions may include: list of musical references, music, performance, web publication of concept folio with links, power point presentation of concept folio

The bottom line is: choose a concept that interests YOU. If you do, you won't even notice that you are working; if you don't, it will be a long semester.

81 comments:

Anonymous said...

friendship
love

-liz h.

Anonymous said...

I have thought about a few ideas giving me my first choice of The 7 Deadly Sins for my concept portfolio, or rivalry as another idea.
-Kady F.

Anonymous said...

friendship

-meg o

Anonymous said...

-Sanity/Insanity
-Dreams
-Emotions
-Peace/War

C. Worrall.

Anonymous said...

I am thinking of doing Beauty or Nature...but that's only because I can't think of anything else. So if you have any suggestions...?
- Rachel I.

Anonymous said...

love

Anonymous said...

Heyy I'm Kayla G. and what i wanna choose 'The Art of Emotions' or 'Sanity/Insanity' but Catherine is doing that...
♥Kayla G.

Meagan B. said...

The concept I want to do is heartache. My backups are....I don't have any!

Anonymous said...

-beauty
-love
-strength

Anonymous said...

I was thinking about doing the concept of heaven and hell. another idea that I had was good and evil.


~liz f

Anonymous said...

Kady F. i really like the idea of the seven deadly sins...i dont know where you can get art though...
~Kayla G.

Anonymous said...

I think im going to do mine on diversity.




Sarah N

Anonymous said...

-War
-Revenge
-Rebellion
-Seven Deadly Sins



-Tina

Anonymous said...

-Inspiration
-Journey
-Perseverance

Kristina K

Anonymous said...

I was thinking the concept of movement or the concept of emotions

-Calley F.

Anonymous said...

- Fantasy
- Nature
Emily B.

Anonymous said...

1. Beauty in different cultures
2. Beauty in nature
3. Heroism in everyday life



-Kayla F.

Anonymous said...

Peace, Love, and Music.

If not maybe

Just "Peace"
Possibly Just "Love"
Most Likely Just "Music"

Anonymous said...

-Interest
-Pain
-Lyrics/Poetry

C. Worrall

Anonymous said...

Tina, I think seven deadly sins is such an original idea. You should check out pictures of ATNM or Top Chef, they each had a compition for the seven deadly sins.
-Kayla F

Anonymous said...

for my first choice i thought that the concept of heaven and hell would be a cool idea. another idea i had was good and evil.

~liz f

Anonymous said...

Kayla F, I really like the idea of "Heroism in everyday life."

-C. Worrall.

Anonymous said...

Kayla F. in my opinon i think your heroism idea might be a bit to hard...but you may know art more than i do
Kayla G.

Anonymous said...

I am thinking about doing...

Reality vs. Illusion, or anything I can do to depict the question "What is real"

Humanity, "What makes us human"

Death, "When are you truely dead?"

Any Comments?

Anonymous said...

For my concept I was thinking of doing betrayal. I'm still trying to think of alternative ideas.

-- Kelley M

Anonymous said...

Liz,
I like your idea for good and evil. That seems like something you could probably find a lot for.
-Rachel I.

Anonymous said...

Liz F.

I really like the idea of Heaven and Hell.
It'd be really interesting to see what kind of art work you would come up with.

Anonymous said...

kady f, i think the idea of the 7 deadly sins is really good but i also think it may be difficult to find a lot of art based on the subject.

~liz f

Anonymous said...

Plattypus...nice name..:)..i really like your ideas but my favorite is..the humanity one...

Good Luck!

Anonymous said...

Kristina K, I really like the idea of Inspiration, but I think that it would be hard to find art for it.

Anonymous said...

Kelley,
I think that's a pretty good idea. There's a lot you can do with it. I'm sure there are plenty of songs and multiple movies you could check out.

-Kristina K.

Mike said...

I have no idea what I really want to do but some ideas I'm throwing around are:

Trash
Celebrity/Fame
Suburbia
and the Future

I really am not sure.

However, C.Worral, you should definitely do insanity vs sanity. I like that idea.

Dear Kelley, you know a lot betrayal.

Anonymous said...

Alan, I think Music is a great concept. If you could show Music's roots, as well as modern stuff it would be great. The only problem is that I think it would be hard to find pictures.

Sarah N., Diversity is highly interesting. Quoting different pieces, such as political speeches would probably your best bet for the written portions. There is plenty of historical material to work with, and many people feel segregated for various reasons. Nice idea.

EVERYONE
I think that heaven + hell, seven deadly sins, friendship, love, and beauty are all great, but they lack originality. Let's get creative guys!

Anonymous said...

J. Platt

I really like the idea of Reality vs. Illusion.

That's fairly origional and would be cool to see how it comes along.

Anonymous said...

-love
-inspiration
-friendship


Cory W.

Anonymous said...

Kelley i like your idea but..i dont know art so i dont have the best advice...but i wish you all the best

Anonymous said...

Inspiration could be interesting, Kristina. Also perseverance.
-Rachel I.

Anonymous said...

Kelley M, I think the concept of betrayal is really good, I'm sure there are many songs on the topic, but I think that it would be difficult to find art for it.

I do think it's a really good concept, though.

:)

Anonymous said...

Emily B. I really like your idea on fantasy because there is a lot of artwork for that and it would be easier to find stories.
-Kady F.

Anonymous said...

Rachel,
I think either would be fun and easy too do. There's obviously a lot out there about both beauty and nature.

-Kristina K

Anonymous said...

Meagan I like your idea of heartache. You could definatly find plenty of art and songs to help you.

-- Kelley M

Jessica F. said...

I was thinking about doing idols. My backups are lame or have already been done.

Anonymous said...

mike i looooove the idea of Suburbia i loooove it so much!!!!

Anonymous said...

I'm digging betrayal Kelley! Possible examples from mythology? Metaphors? Pictures may be hard though.

Anonymous said...

Mike,
you should try the future one. It could be difficult but it's really interesting.
Although, the trash one is pretty awesome too.

-Kristina K.

Anonymous said...

Worrall, Stick to Insanity vs. Sanity. Its creative, and there is a lot of material out there. Close to my initial plan, but may be you can quote Poe, Donnie Darko, things like that.

Anonymous said...

ahhh nobodys comenting for minee...art of emotions...is it a good idea because i am still iffy..

kayla g.

Anonymous said...

calley

i like you idea of movement but how were u going about doing it?

mcbride

Rachel said...

Thanks Kristina!

Mike said...

J. Frank, do idols. But are you just going to do your idols? Or...icons of music? film? etc.

Anonymous said...

Another concept i was thinking of doing was metamorphosis and change. I could go into both the physical and emotional aspects of it.

Kristina, I really like your idea of inspiration. I think you could take it in a really unique direction.

Dear Mike, You know alot about trash.

--Kelley M

Anonymous said...

Sorry, didn't see that one. Art of emotions is intriguing but I thing it would be WAY too hard to get all of the stuff for a portfolio =/ what are some of your other ideas?

Anonymous said...

Plattypus...thanks :)...my other idea was insanity vs. sanity but like i said earlier cathrines doing it..

kayla g.

Anonymous said...

Mike

Do Suburbia.
Fantastic idea.

Anonymous said...

J.Frank,
Interesting idea.
For art, you could use stuff from the Aztecs.
They were crazy about worshipping their idols.

-Kristina K.

Anonymous said...

Trash is also very interesting, and I think it would be a very easy topic to do a portfolio on. It's unique ( yay creativity ), and you can incorporate so many different things into it. You have to put Oscar the Grouch on there though.

Anonymous said...

kelley i think that idea there is a lot to that. you could also talk about youself from freshman year to now

c mcbride

Anonymous said...

oh! wait or confussion like mass confussion but that might be to hard..

Rachel said...

I need ideas, and I like a lot of yours, but I don't want to steal any of them!!!!

Anonymous said...

Kelley,
Metamorphosis is also really interesting.
I'd pick that one over betrayal, only because I think its a bit more original. I'd like to see what you do with it.

And thanks. I'm pretty sure I'm going to stick with Inspiration. :]

-Kristina K.

Anonymous said...

Rachel, try just doing something very out there. Something like immigration, or language, or something that relates to society very directly.

Anonymous said...

rachel...you can always just ask people...and c mcbride dont make fun of kelley FrEsHmAn year was freshman year

Anonymous said...

Liz H,

are you thinking specific love, like teenage love? or true love i.e. a picture of an elderly couple?

Anonymous said...

Mike, i like your idea of suburbia. You could do the little boxes song from weeds =). There's also a dresden dolls song that talks about suburbia.

-- Kelley m

Anonymous said...

Kelley, if Metamorphosis is what you are doing, might I suggest "The Great Red Dragon" (painting from bible) and reference "Red Dragon" (movie). It is about metamorphosis for a greater cause.

Meagan B. said...

Mike,
I love the trash idea! hopefully your project turns out well and doesn't...stink!....yea that was lame!

Anonymous said...

Sarah N,
Diversity is a cool concept. There should be plenty of art you could include.

Kelley M

Anonymous said...

kelley i also really like the Metamorphosis idea...there is a song called Metamorphosis you know but it is hilary Duff :/

Rachel said...

What about something like Wealth?

Mike said...

If I did the trash idea I might include the idea of mass consumption etc.

But now I can't decide on which concept I should do.

Kady, I think the 7 Deadly Sins is pretty sweet.

Rachel, the idea of nature seems pretty good.

Gerbil, I'm confused as to what you mean by Emotions in Art. There are lots of emotions portrayed in art. It might be hard but I'm sure you could do it.

Anonymous said...

Wealth is a very good idea, and its very broad because you could do the emotional or physical asppect of it. Pictures would also be easy to find.

Anonymous said...

rachel
you can always do something on the lines of wealth growing or how wealth influences people

cmcrbide

Anonymous said...

wealth/gredd....yeah i like that rachel...

Mike said...

Rachel, wealth is a good one. Maybe you could include some of my alternative with Fame and such? Maybe not.

Meagan I liked the joke.

Rachel said...

Meagan, heartache is good, I think.

Anonymous said...

I personally think wealth is very creative, sorry about the late response, accidentally closed Firefox..anyways, you would find plenty of things on it. You should also incoroporate Greed / Corruption.

Anonymous said...

okay so im having trouble decieding between a few of my recent ideas for the concept folio.
feed back would be most appriciated:).

1 Laughter
2 Heroism in everyday life
3 Serenity in the seasons
5 Beauty in different cultures.

-Kayla F.

Anonymous said...

So I have a couple of ideas, im just not sure which ones. I'm thinking either on how time and life are interlinked..or maybe envy..or anguish..or something with emotion..

any suggestions??

~ Alec D.

Kaisey said...

I got nothin. . . =/
peace is like, the only thing that jumps into my mind but its so cliche and. . . lame. . .
Mike i love that idea of suburbia. . if you decide you don't wanna do it. . . hook a sista up ;) haha!

_Kaisey A

Plattypus said...

Kayla - Heroism in Everyday Life is very bold, and can easily be found in examples of stories, I don't know about pictures through.

Alec - Envy/Anguish are both very strong emotions, but if you could broaden the idea into "Pain" you could incorporate so much more, physical, emotional, mental etc.

Anonymous said...

I think im going to do pain. Thank plattypus for the help on broadening my topic.

- Alec D.