Reading Response 1

Summary of Critique Handbook Ch. 5:

When speaking of art, critique is a group evaluation of work. There is always a performative element in critique whether it be how the subject presents the work or how the subject interacts with the group. During critique, perception of the work involves comparison and interpretation. Language used during critique is often important to help figure out the critic’s intentions. Often critiques can help one get further into the concept and intentions of the work. Ideally, one’s work would not be described as cliché; this means the work is used, not well informed, or irrelevant. It is important to view criticism in an objective manner. It is important to actively search criticism for growth. When given a specific assignment, criticism may often inform future decisions based on the limitations of this assignment.

There are many different types of critics. Typically in a critique with an instructor, it is the student’s job to trust that the instructor has more experience than the instructor. In beginner level critiques, the instructor must remain unopposed as they are teaching the subjects objectively. A “connoisseur” is a critic with a trained and discerning eye for technique and value based on certain standards. When there is a “judge” this usually means that the critic tries to gauge work objectively based on logic. “Evaluators” and “specialists” will try to gauge work based on their own criteria. You may also come across critics who only have a taste for their own work, critics who try to force improvement in every area, or critics that do not push the artist at all. When entering a group critique you may come across a group of critics that all shares one view.  This is different than faculty groups which typically a conglomeration of different members of an academic institution. Typically this will make for a varied experience with a wide range of opinions and criticisms. It is very important to document criticisms and record recurring themes in critique.

When you disagree with a criticism, it is best to try to understand where the critic is coming from. This is an issue of ideology, meaning every person holds a different belief system that influences criticism. Lastly, every opinion should be weighed equally and democratically based on the effort and information of the critique.

Response:

I think it is very valuable to respect all opinions and criticisms of work when coming from a well-informed and constructive vantage. During this reading, I found value in the advice to try and empathize with your critics to better understand their criticism. I often find that I know my work and my intentions better than I can explain in a critique so I try to let critics guess and interpret my ideas based on their views. All in all, I think this reading has opened my mind more to criticism and its value as opposed to only trusting my own instinct or the instinct of those I trust.