Understanding The standards

This is a collection of information that will support us to take an insightful journey into understanding and feeling the intention of each one and their purpose in the process of art creation and appreciation.

Anchor Standard #1: 

Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.

Generate:             ▫️To bring to existence.

▫️To create by means of a defined process:  Produce.

▫️To be the cause of a situation, action, or state of mind.

▫️To define or originate.

Conceptualize:   ▫️To form a concept.

Concept:                   ▫️Something conceived in the mind:  Thought, notion.

  ▫️An abstract or generic idea generalized from particular instances.

Work:                   ▫️To produce a desired effect or result.

When we speak of standard # 1, we focus on the beginning of the creative process, the project's birth.  When the individual generates, it is about the action of originating and conceiving an idea that is given a concept derived from a particular or abstract intention.

Anchor Standard #2: 

organize and develop artistic ideas and work.

Organize:           ▫️To form into a coherent unity or functioning whole:  Integrate.

    ▫️To set an administrative structure for.

Develop:         ▫️To set forth or make clear by degrees or in detail: Expound.

▫️To make visible or manifest.

When we speak of standard # 2, we are focusing on the order the individual applies to the ideas generated in standard # 1.   When the individual organizes, put a coherent integration to those ideas, making a clear manifestation or structural formation to display the concept conceived in standard#1.

Anchor Standard #3: 

Refine and complete artistic work.

Refine:           ▫️To improve or perfect by pruning or polishing.

     ▫️To make improvements by introducing subtleties or distinctions.

Complete: ▫️Having all necessary parts, elements, or steps.

▫️Fully carried out.

▫️Highly proficient.

▫️To bring to an end and especially into a perfected state.

Artistic: ▫️Showing imaginative skill in arrangement or execution.

▫️Created using conscious skill and creative imagination.

Work: ▫️To produce a desired effect or result.

▫️To perform or carry through a task requiring sustained effort or continuous repeated operations.

▫️To exert oneself physically or mentally, especially in sustained effort for a purpose or under                                              compulsion or necessity.

When we speak of standard # 3, we are focusing on the order the individual applies to the ideas generated in standard#1.   When the individual organizes, put a coherent integration to those ideas, making a clear manifestation or structural formation to display the concept conceived in standard # 1.

Anchor Standard #4: 

select, analize and interpret artistic work for presentation.

Select:           ▫️Chosen from a number or group by fitness or preference.

Choice: ▫️The power of choosing.

▫️The act of choosing.

▫️The best part.

Choose: ▫️To select freely and after consideration.

▫️To decide on, especially by vote.

▫️To decide.

Decide: ▫️To make a final choice or judgment about.

Analyze:         ▫️To study or determine the nature and relationship of the parts of something.

Analysis:         ▫️A detailed examination of anything complex in order to understand its nature or to determine its                                                    essential features.

Interpret: ▫️To explain or tell the meaning of present in understandable terms

▫️To represent employing art, to bring to realization by performance or direction.

Construe: ▫️To understand or explain the sense or intention of usually in a particular way or concerning a                                                          given set of circumstances.

▫️To analyze the arrangement and connection of words or elements.

When we speak of standard # 4, we are focusing and putting in action the awareness of the implementation of standards # 1, #2, and #3.  Making account of each stage in the process of creation is most important for each artist's analysis before a presentation.  When an individual has chosen from a number or a range of works of art it means that there has been a process of selection based on the intention or the direction that the collection is meant for.  Analyzing the connection, the essential features, and the nature of the art leads to understanding and the realization if the message is being delivered by the artwork or not, it is not a matter of beauty, it is a matter of depth in the meaning.  The selection goes through criteria, and the criteria are based on the intention of the individual's exhibition or the requirements that a call for artists states.

Anchor Standard #5: 

develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.

Develop:                        ▫️To set forth  or make clear by degrees or in detail: Expound

      ▫️To make visible or manifest.

Expound: ▫️To explain by setting forth in careful and often elaborate detail.

Manifest: ▫️Readily perceived by the senses and especially by the sense of sight.

Define:         ▫️ To improve or perfect by pruning or polishing.

Techniques: ▫️The manner in which technical details are treated or the basis of physical movements is used.

▫️Body of technical methods.

Technical: ▫️Having a special and usually practical knowledge, especially of a mechanical or scientific subject.

Presentation:         ▫️To offer to view

▫️To bring before the public

▫️To show or display outwardly especially by visible signs or actions.

▫️To show publicly, especially for purposes of competition or demonstration.

Anchor Standard #6: 

Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work.

When we speak of standard # 5, we are focusing on the clarity in the production of the artwork.  What do I mean by clarity? The techniques applied, the evident qualities that match the parameters set that portray the true intention that offers the viewer a concise art manifestation.  When the individual has established art messages that are ready to be perceived by the viewers, in this space the artist offers the public collection or artwork that manifests procedures, techniques, and structures that communicate the essential meaning and true purpose of the creative process.  (Clear display of standards #1, #2, #3, #4, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10 and #11.)

Convey:                 ▫️To impart or communicate by statement, suggestion, gesture, or appearance.

      ▫️To cause pass from one person to another.

      ▫️To transfer or deliver something.

Impart:       ▫️To communicate the knowledge of:  Disclose.

Disclose:       ▫️To make known or public

          ▫️To expose to view

      ▫️To open up

Meaning:       ▫️The thing one intends to convey especially by language.

              ▫️Something meant or intended.

  ▫️Significant quality

When we speak about standard #6, we are focusing on how the artist makes known the visual communication.  The presentation of their artwork would cause transference of the art's significant purpose or intention.  The mere fact of presenting in public develops autonomy, self-confidence, ownership, and the willingness to raise their voice safely without fear of a visual campaign that will influence society.

Anchor Standard #7: 

perceive and analyze artistic work.

Perceive: ▫️To attain awareness or understanding of.

▫️To become aware of through the senses.

Analyze: ▫️A detailed examination of anything complex in order to understand its nature or to determine its                                                    essential features.

When we speak of standard # 7, we are focused on developing the awareness of the human senses.  Individuals receive information from their brain through the senses, and how they perceive that information, belongs to the uniqueness of every human being. The purpose is to gain and discover that we all have the capacity to feel and understand art.  The knowledge of elements and principles of art and design and also the procedures of techniques gives us a technical background to be able to perform a more accurate analysis and be able to receive at our best the manifestation of the artist's message.

Anchor Standard #8: 

interpret, intent and meaning in artistic work.

Interpret: ▫️To explain or tell the meaning of:  Present understandable terms.

▫️To conceive in the light of individual belief, judgment, or circumstance.

▫️To represent by means of art: Bring to realization by performance or direction.

Realization: ▫️To bring into concrete existence.

▫️To cause to seem real.

▫️To conceive vividly as real:  Be fully aware of.

Intent: ▫️ The design or purpose of.

▫️ The state of mind with which an act is done.

        ▫️Clearly formulated or planned for.

Purpose:                 ▫️Something set up as an object or end to be attained:  Determination, intention.

Determination: ▫️The act of deciding definitely and firmly.

▫️Firm intention to achieve a desired end.

▫️The act, process, or result of an accurate measurement.

When we speak of standard # 8, we are focused on the understanding of the artwork's purpose. To offer the opportunity for that connection, there are some aspects that we as artists should cover.  Providing the artwork's name, a written statement, or a brief description, will give the viewer prior knowledge before their sight is directed to the art and the mind will have information that guides towards the artist's intention.  When the mind is ready to receive the message through the senses, the manifestation of the awareness and the true state of mind that the artist went through in the process of creation, happens.

Anchor Standard #9: 

Apply criteria to artistic work.

Apply:         ▫️To put use, especially for some practical purpose.

▫️To bring to action.

▫️To put into operation of effect.

Criteria:         ▫️A standard on which a judgment or decision may be based.

Standard: ▫️ Something established by authority, custom, or general consent as a model or example.

When we are speaking of standard # 9, we are focused on the application of a structured way to judge or decide whether the art meets a desired or required purpose/intention.  This standard is finely connected to the analysis of standard # 7, the interpretation of standard # 8 giving us the understanding of how the whole set of standards follows a path the leads to a successful exemplary artwork. 

Every artwork is originated with a concept (Standard #1), once we have the concept or purpose, we go on to the organization of ideas, elements, or symbols, using writing skills to plan ways to portray the concept (Standard # 2). The awareness, knowledge, and understanding of media, techniques, structures, and processes are the tools which the art is created with (Standard # 3).  When the artwork is ready, it enters the process of analysis and interpretation to decide which areas will be refined and enhanced to be ready for presentation (Standard # 4).  Preparing for presentation also includes a process of selection, a deep observation to refine any growth area, and revising that the collection of works or the sole artwork to be presented meets or why not, exceeds expectations by reading through the criteria or standards that need to be accomplished to be ready to open the exhibition publicly (Standard # 5).  Working based and focused to reach or achieve the expectations on the criteria or standards are the main focus of judges, professors or teachers who will assess the artwork or an art collection. This is the importance of Standard # 9.

Anchor Standard #10: 

Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences.

Synthesize: ▫️To combine or produce by synthesis.

Synthesis: ▫️The composition or combination of parts or elements so as to form a whole.

Relate:         ▫️ To show or establish a logical or casual connection between.

▫️To have or establish a relationship.

Knowledge: ▫️The fact or condition of knowing with familiarity gained through experience or association.  

 ▫️The fact or condition of having information or of being learnt.

▫️The sum of what is to know:  The body of truth, information, and principles acquired by humankind.

Experience: ▫️The fact or state of having been affected by or gained knowledge through direct observation or                                                       participation.

  ▫️Something personally encountered, undergone, or lived through.

When we speak of standard # 10, we are focused on the connection established between the viewer and the artwork or art collection.  The combination of the elements and the perception of them activates prior knowledge, and experiences and generates emotional or intellectual connection.  When the artist depicts their personal experiences or knowledge, opinions, or ideas this connection with the spectator happens, therefore the awareness of human interdependence activates.

Anchor Standard #11: 

RElate ideas and work with societal, cultural and historical context  to  deepen understanding. 

Relate:         ▫️To show or establish a logical or casual connection between.

▫️To have or establish a relationship.

Connection: ▫️Contextual relation or association.

▫️A relation of personal intimacy:  A feeling of closeness in a relationship, built through shared                                                            experiences, vulnerability, and mutual understanding, encompassing emotional, physical, and                                                          sometimes spiritual aspects.

▫️A means of communication

Societal:         ▫️A community, nation, or broad grouping of people having common traditions, institutions, and                                                       collective activities.

Cultural:         ▫️ The customary beliefs, social forms, and material racial, religious, or social traits.

▫️The shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices characterize an institution or organization.

Historical: ▫️A chronological record of significant events, such as those affecting a nation or institution, often                                                     including an explanation of their causes.  

Context:         ▫️The interrelated conditions in which something exists or occurs.

Interrelate: ▫️Have a mutual or reciprocal relation.

Deepen:         ▫️To become deeper, or more profound.

Understanding: ▫️The power to make experience intelligible by applying concepts and categories.

When we speak of standard # 11, we are focused on the already established connection between the viewer and the artwork piece or the whole collection.  There is when the art becomes a mirror of the viewer's self when the intention which the artwork was made with reaches its goal and reaches the viewer's soul. When the viewer is immersed in this environment created by the collection or even on one sole artwork that embraces the public's attention taking them to vision of the artist's perception of life.  When art bonds with the community it establishes the relationship and the artist's identity becomes a movement, a significant event that will leave a mark on chronological records and in people's lives.

The production of art that masters this standard # 11, nurtures the awareness of a crescent global awareness that will spark the connection of human senses strengthening the realization of art as a transcendent vehicle that breaks frontiers and fosters belonging everywhere it goes.

By:  MariaVeronica De Mancheno

Visual Arts Specialist & Art Life Coach