This document discusses the four frames for analyzing visual art: structural, subjective, cultural, and postmodern. It provides examples and explanations of each frame. The structural frame focuses on how the artwork was made and the materials/techniques used. The subjective frame considers the emotional response and meaning an artwork holds. The cultural frame examines how the time period and culture influenced the artwork. The postmodern frame explores contemporary art that challenges conventions and traditions through parody, irony, and new technologies. The document uses examples like Van Gogh's self-portrait and works by Picasso and Dali to demonstrate applying the different frames.

1. So...
What is Visual Arts all about?

2. What are the Frames?
When we think of the word ‘frame’ we naturally
associate it with a decorative border that surrounds a
picture. When studying art, the term ‘The Frames’
refers to the different ways we can look at artworks.
When we are studying art and artists, we can approach
it from four differing perspectives. Put simply, we can
look at the Frames as four separate lists of things to
look for when studying artworks and artists.

3. The Structural Frame?
What do you think it could be
referring to?

4. ● Artists create their own style or visual language using different codes,
symbols or signs to convey their meaning.
● We can interpret these works using the ELEMENTS OF DESIGN: line, tone,
texture, colour, shape, direction and size. These Elements of Design are
like the ‘ingredients’ that are used to create an artwork and can be used in
varying degrees.
● An understanding of which element is most important to an artist can help us
to discover the artists technique or style. Style refers to how an artist
represents subject matter within their work.
● The Structural Frame is where we discuss how the artwork was made, the
materials and techniques used by the artist. Composition is generally very
important to the structural artist (the elements of design + the arrangement of
space = composition).

5. The Art Elements
● LINE refers to the continuous mark made on a surface by a moving point. Often it creates a space
or an outline. Lines can create pattern or movement. They may be two dimensional (pencil on
paper) or three dimensional (wire)
● SHAPE OR FORM refers to an enclosed space defined by other art elements such as line, colour
and texture. In painting and drawing, shapes may take the appearance of a solid three –
dimensional object even though they are limited to two dimensions. There are two main types of
shapes: organic and geometric.
● COLOUR is mixed from the three primary colours: red, blue and yellow. Orange, purple and green
are secondary colours. Colours can be symbolic: for example, red can represent passion. Warm
colours (red, yellow, orange) appear to advance; while cool colours (blue and green) seem to
recede.
● TEXTURE is the surface quality or ‘feel’ of an object, its smoothness, roughness, softness etc...
Textures may be real or simulated. Real textures can be felt with the fingers. While simulated
textures are suggested by the artist.

6. ● VALUE OR TONE is the amount of lightness or darkness (light and shade) shown on an object.
When white is added to a colour it’s a tint and when black is added to a colour it’s a tone.
● SPACE refers to the way objects or shapes are arranged in an artwork. It is the area above, below,
around and between things. We can look at the positive space, which is the area within the space
or objects the artist creates, eg: solid shapes. There is also the negative space, which is the area
left over. Artists try to create the illusion of depth in an artwork to incorporate a sense of space. One
example would be the foreground, middleground and background within a landscape.
ACTIVITY: An artwork has been shared with each of you on the Google
Drive. As a group you need to discuss this artwork and then annotate (label)
it with 6 key points - one for each element.
Save a copy to your workspace, once completed it needs to be saved to your
E-portfolio.

7. Vincent Van Gogh
‘Self Portrait with
Palette’
1889
Oil on canvas
57.2 x 43.8 cm
http://www.vangoghartworks.com

8. Activity:
Dice Game: Elements
Abstract
Complete activity in you VAD

9. Homework Task: Add to your Blog
● Take a range a photos incorporating the Art elements.
You need to add these images to your blog.
● You may even be clever enough to add several elements
into one photo.
● your Teacher will add this to your E - Diary

10. Subjective Frame
The Subjective Frame reminds us that art is something emotional. Art exists
within the experience of the artist and the world. Artists bring to artworks their
own ideas and feelings. Subject Matter is the correct term for what the artwork
is ABOUT. If we were observing an artwork that is a portrait, then the subject
matter would be a person, or the broader category of people.
As a class can you think of some different types
of Subject matter we may see in artworks.

11. ● When we look at an artwork using the Subjective Frame, we discuss our
response to the artwork. We also may consider how other people, such as the
artist and the audience, feel about the artwork.
● The Subjective Frame recognizes the importance of intuition (without thinking)
and the subconscious in art. From a Subjective Frame you might ask
questions such as:
How has the artist explored emotions in the work?
What feelings are communicated through the work?
How does the artwork make you feel?
● Many artists have used art to represent themselves and speak their ideas and
feelings. When making or appreciating art from the Subjective Frame the
artist or audience is saying: ‘What does this mean to me?’ The Subjective
Frame is about connecting art to life, experiences, ideas and feelings

12. Vincent Van Gogh
‘Self Portrait with
Palette’
1889
Oil on canvas
57.2 x 43.8 cm
http://www.vangoghartworks.com
You have seen this work before, but we
looked at using the Art Elements. Now we
are going to use the words provided to
develop a Subjective Response.

13. Expression
Emotion
communicates
Audience
Colour
Technique

14. Cultural Frame
Key words: race, class, gender, place, art movements and styles, politics,
economics, cultural symbolism.
● The Cultural Frame allows us to see that an artist does not work in
isolation and that all artworks reflect some aspects of the culture in which
they were produced.
● Time and place has a huge impact on the ideas behind the work and the
techniques used, for example: The culture which produced Aboriginal rock
carvings is very different to the culture which produced traditional artworks
in 18th century France.
● Political views or issues may be explored by an artist. An artist may
communicate their beliefs about race, gender or social class through their
artmaking. The use of various signs and symbols can be used to represent
these beliefs. These signs and symbols may be specific to a particular
culture. Can you think of an example???

15. You can see the contrasting time and place here in the following examples.
These two eras had very different rules and expectations, which governed
(controlled) the type of work which was produced and accepted.
Hans Holbein the younger
Portrait of Henry VIII
1543
http://www.peintures-tableaux.com/france/peinture-a-l-huile-
137011.htm

16. Pablo Picasso (Spanish Artist 1881 - 1973)
Woman with Book
1932
http://bjws.blogspot.com.au/2011/06/evolution-of-womens-
portraits-by.html
1. Create a VENN DIAGRAM, listing the
differences and similarities you can see in
the artworks.
2. Focus on cultural characteristics.
3. List at least 5 cultural characteristics in
each section of the diagram.
4. Remember to include evidence from the
artwork with each point, where needed.

17. The Postmodern Frame
Key words: Modernism, postmodernism, appropriate, parody, pastiche,
mediated, satire, contemporary, irony, wit, recontextualise, technology,
audience.
● The Postmodern Frame explores contemporary art (artworks made after 1970 using new
techniques), which aims to break down boundaries and challenge the conventions (traditions) of
art.
● The Postmodern artist challenges the audience's understanding and perceptions of what art is.
● Postmodernism grew as an art style in the late 1970’s and 1980’s, ending 100 years of a period
in art called ‘Modernism’ (This referred to a time period beginning in the 1880’s when certain
artists began to make radical steps moving away from artistic traditions).
● The main characteristics of Postmodern art:
- Challenges the audience’s ideas on art, often using shock tactics.
- It can be derived from past artworks, using similar subject matter/composition.
- Technology is embraced as a medium.

18. How has Dali’s artwork below been used in a new way by the
creator of the Simpsons?
Salvador Dali
The Persistence of Memory
1931
Oil on Canvas
24.1 x 33
http://www.wikiart.org/en/salvador-dali/the-persistence-of-memory-1931
Created by the Simpsons artists
Matt Groening
Sourced on Tumblr
http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/melting-clocks