ART UNIT 3

How to annotate and which Framework do I use?

Throughout unit 3 and unit 4 you are required to keep a record of your progress as you work
toward your final artwork. Beginning at the initial stages, progressing to your research and trials,
continuing to your refined artworks; you must annotate your progress. See below for an example
of how the Study Design requires you to annotate.
Outcome 2 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to explore personal ideas and
concepts through a conceptual and practical investigation including at least one finished artwork,
using selected Analytical Frameworks to reflect upon and annotate their work.
Annotate each image with information that includes details about how the ideas can be treated
and further developed, also include information that reflects the language of the Analytical Frameworks. (VCAA, 2014)
Throughout unit 3 and unit 4 you are required to keep a record of your progress as you work
toward your final artwork. Beginning at the initial stages, progressing to your research and trials,
continuing to your refined artworks; you must annotate your progress.
The Analytical Frameworks are different windows we can use to talk about an artwork. Below is a
guide to help you categorize your annotations into the four frameworks when annotating your own
artwork, trails, ideas etc.
The Formal Framework
If you are going to talk about how you have used the formal elements in your artwork such as how
you have used line, shape, colour, texture, space, composition etc. have been used and what
effect is has on your artwork.
NOTE THAT you only have to analyse the formal elements and aspects of technique that are
relevant to the meaning of an artwork that you are writing about. If the texture in a painting you
made (for example) has impact on the meanings and messages of the work then you do not need
to mention it. Dont feel the need to mention every single formal elements when using the Formal
Framework.
The Personal Framework
If you are going to talk about how the personal significant of your work use the Personal Framework. This framework is used to discuss the people, places, experiences of personal significance
creation of the work has to you.

How is the artwork linked to the people, places or experiences of personal significance
to the artist? For example, can you see evidence in the artwork of the artists personal feelings,
ideas, hopes, beliefs, desires, memories or dreams?

What visual evidence can you see in the artwork of the influence of the artists life, beliefs
and experiences?

ART UNIT 3
How to annotate and which Framework do I use?

The Contemporary Framework

The Contemporary Framework is used to examine an artwork, irrespective of when it was created,
in the context of contemporary art ideas and issues. For the purpose of this study contemporary
art ideas and issues are those originating in the late twentieth century onwards. With a focus on
current ideas and issues, consider the following questions.
How have contemporary art ideas and issues challenged traditional understandings of artworks
and their significance?
How does the choice or presentation of subject matter or medium, materials and techniques reflect or challenge artistic or social traditions?
How do these art forms differ from traditional ideas of viewing and experiencing
object-based art in museums and galleries?
How might artworks of the past take on new or different meanings, in the context of contemporary ideas and issues?
How have contemporary art ideas and issues challenged traditional understandings of artworks
and their significance?
How does the choice or presentation of subject matter or medium, materials and techniques reflect or challenge artistic or social traditions?
How do these art forms differ from traditional ideas of viewing and experiencing object-based art
in museums and galleries?

The Cultural Framework

The Cultural Framework is used to see how the time and place in which an artwork was made
helps us to understand its meaning. The Cultural Framework includes the influence of historical, political, social and religious factors on the artwork. When using the Cultural Framework you
should consider the following questions:
How do the social, political, cultural and religious contexts contribute to the meaning of an artwork?
How do gender values as defined in an artwork reflect the social context of the time in which the
artwork was made and therefore help us to understand its meaning?
How does the physical placement of an artwork affect the way we interpret its meaning?
How does the cultural background of the viewer influence the way an artworks meaning is interpreted?
REMEMBER
your annotations do not have to be hand typed, they do not have to be perfectly hand written, dont spend your time making them look nice, just make sure they are there.