DP Visual Arts at GESS
At GESS, the Visual Arts course offers students the opportunity to explore their creativity and artistic expression while developing technical proficiency and critical thinking skills. The course is designed to encourage students to experiment with a variety of media and techniques, reflect on their artistic process, and create meaningful works of art. Students are guided through the exploration of different cultural contexts, artistic movements, and contemporary practices, gaining an appreciation for the role of art in society and its impact on the world.
π Why Study Visual Arts at GESS?
π Holistic Approach to Art β The course integrates theory, practice, and curatorial skills, allowing students to explore all facets of the visual arts. Students develop their own artistic voice through hands-on creation and critical reflection.
π Creative Exploration β Students are encouraged to experiment with different artistic media, techniques, and forms, including two-dimensional and three-dimensional art-making, photography, digital art, and more.
π Cultural and Historical Contexts β The curriculum emphasizes the study of art from diverse cultures and historical periods, encouraging students to appreciate the significance of art in various contexts.
π Critical Thinking and Reflection β Students engage in critical analysis of both their own work and that of others, learning to reflect on their artistic intentions, processes, and outcomes.
π Core Units
The Visual Arts course at GESS is structured around three main areas:
Visual Arts in Context β Studying the cultural, historical, and social contexts of art, and exploring how artists from different periods and cultures have influenced one another.
Visual Arts Methods β Developing practical skills and techniques, experimenting with a variety of media, and applying those skills to create art.
Communicating Visual Arts β Understanding how art communicates meaning, selecting and presenting works for exhibition, and exploring the role of the curator.
π Assessment
πΈ Internal Assessment (IA) β Students complete an independent art-making project, documenting their artistic process, from concept development to final execution, and reflecting on their progress.
πΈ Examinations
Paper 1 (SL & HL) β A comparative study where students analyze and compare artworks from different artists and cultural contexts.
Paper 2 (SL & HL) β An art-making practice, where students create a body of artwork demonstrating their understanding of techniques and concepts.
Paper 3 (HL Only) β A more in-depth reflection on how students' work has been influenced by the artists theyβve studied.
π Visual Arts at GESS: HL vs. SL
πΉ Higher Level (HL): HL students engage in a deeper exploration of art-making practices, producing a larger body of work and reflecting more critically on how their art communicates with viewers. They are required to explore more diverse techniques and media and analyze how their artistic practices have been influenced by exposure to other artists.
πΉ Standard Level (SL): SL students focus on developing their core art-making skills and critical thinking abilities, with an emphasis on experimentation and personal expression.
Visual Arts at GESS prepares students for future studies in the arts, design, and other creative fields, while nurturing lifelong engagement with the arts and cultivating critical, reflective thinking skills.