This project asks you to apply concepts, ideas, and content that we have learned in this unit. Choose one of the three options below. For all of the projects, you should review class material on street art, including our class slides, readings, notes, and annotations to help inform and structure your analytical work.
Option 1: Analyze a Street Art Exhibit
Choose one of the below artist exhibitions to analyze for its visual rhetorical work. Your analysis should closely examine at least four pieces in the exhibition for their composition details and rhetorical strategies. Write an Exhibition Review (900-1100 words) that makes an original argument about the form, purpose, or messages of that exhibition (or the pieces you focused on) and that draws on evidence from the art and your analysis.
Exhibition Options:
- “She’s a Leader” from the US: Stephanie Rond https://artsandculture.google.com/story/DAVBwwEfyQgA8A
- “She’s a Leader” from Russia: Zoya https://artsandculture.google.com/story/OQVBgyv_-RkA8A
- “She’s a Leader” from Kuwait: Zahra Al Mahdi https://artsandculture.google.com/story/MAVBg4wAkR8A8A
Requirements:
- A completed Rhetorical Analysis sheet for each piece of street art
- Exhibition Review (900-1100 words). Organize this review in an effective way. A suggested organization plan is:
- a) Introduction to and background on the exhibit: who, what, where, when?
- b) A clear argument that the review will make about the pieces (this argument should be original; it should not repeat the framing material in the exhibition)
- c) A general overview of the art included in the exhibit
- d) Separate discussions of each art piece describing the work and analyzing how it is working rhetorically.
Note: No outside research is expected or required. Use the exhibitions as your content.
Submit the mini-project consisting of your Exhibition Review and Rhetorical Analysis sheets.
| Grading Rubric (100 points) Exhibition Review (75 points) – Develops an original argument about the exhibition (focusing on form, purposes, and/or messages of the exhibit) – Supports argument with clear and accurate evidence from the art pieces – Offers a detailed examination and visual rhetorical analysis of at least 4 art pieces – Demonstrates depth of analysis; takes intellectual risks – Essay is organized effectively and written with correct grammar Rhetorical Analysis Sheets (25 points) – Includes completed analysis sheets for at least 4 art pieces – Sheets demonstrate careful and detailed observation of composition details |
Option 2: Curate a Street Art Exhibit
Curate (meaning select and organize) your own exhibition of street art built around a common focus. The focus of your exhibition might be on specific theme or subject, on a visual style, or on a rhetorical element. Whatever your focus, it must be original; you cannot use an already created online exhibition.
Your exhibition should include between 4-6 pieces of street art. In an “Exhibition Essay” (900-1100 words), introduce your exhibition, including its concept and why you chose it, as well as how you went about selecting the pieces for your exhibition. Following the introduction, include a clear image of each piece with a description and rhetorical analysis that demonstrates how the piece contributes to the exhibition’s focus.
Use the Google Arts and Culture: Street Art site and other resources from class to browse street art examples. If you do online searches, be sure to credit the original artist or photographer.
Requirements:
- A completed Rhetorical analysis sheet for each piece of street art
- Exhibition Essay (900-1100 words), including:
- Introduction and Description of exhibition concept
- Discussion of how pieces were selected
- Presentation of and detailed rhetorical analysis of 4-6 pieces of street art
Submit the mini-project consisting of your Exhibition Announcement essay and Rhetorical Analysis sheets.
| Grading Rubric (100 points) Exhibition Essay (75 points) – Clearly presents and describes the organizing concept of the exhibition – Explains the rationale and process for selecting art pieces – Offers a detailed examination and visual rhetorical analysis of each (4-6) art piece that explains how they contribute to the exhibition focus – Demonstrates depth of analysis; takes intellectual risks – Essay is organized effectively and written with correct grammar Rhetorical Analysis Sheets (25 points) – Includes completed analysis sheets for all art pieces – Sheets demonstrate careful and detailed observation of composition details |
Option 3: Create Street Art
Create your own original street art collection. You must be confident in your artistic skills to select this option. Your street art should be new and specifically created for this project. Your medium and materials should mimic those of street art (pen and ink, paint, stencil, chalk, etc. No digital art for this project).
Your collection should include 3-4 pieces of original art and be accompanied by an “Artist’s Statement” (900-1100 words). This statement explains the overall collection, describes each piece and its process of creation, and analyzes each piece for its rhetorical forms and intents. Your essay should also discuss where your street art pieces would appear, being specific about the connection between place, message, and audience.
The collection may be organized around a common theme or may examine different topics. It could experiment with materials or use the same materials. It is your responsibility as the artist to clearly explain your concept, process, and creative decisions. Use the Visual Rhetorical Analysis sheets as planning documents for your art pieces.
Requirements:
- A completed Rhetorical analysis sheet for each piece of street art
- Original art, 3-4 pieces (image files are fine – either integrated into the Artist Statement essay or submitted separately)
- Artist’s Statement (900-1100 words), including:
- Introduction to the art collection as a whole and your concept or goals
- Description of how each piece was created and the ways that formal elements contribute to the piece as a whole
- Detailed analysis of how each piece is functioning rhetorically
| Grading Rubric (100 points) Artist’s Statement (60 points) – Clearly presents and describes the collection and its goals and intents – Describes each piece in terms of artistic decisions and composition elements – Offers a thoughtful analysis of how each piece functions rhetorically – Demonstrates depth of analysis; takes intellectual risks – Essay is organized effectively and written with correct grammar Original Art (25 points) – Evident effort and quality of original art – Described intentions match the product Rhetorical Analysis Sheets (15 points) – Completed analysis sheet for each piece – Sheets demonstrate careful and detailed observation of composition details |