The next time you come across an artwork and are unsure about what it means, use the following steps to clue you in on the artist’s intention.
Ricardo Rendón (b.1970, Mexico) Muro falso / False Wall, 2008 intervened drywall
- The first clue is the shape or form. Does the object resemble the shape of another object, figure or place?
- Think about the object’s purpose. What is it for? Is the artist reinforcing its original purpose or contradicting it?
- What does this object mean to our culture or society? Is it used every day? Is it a part of daily life from a specific region, neighborhood or time? By reflecting upon what it does or means to everyone, you can usually discover a hidden meaning that you may not have thought of before!
- Look at the work’s title. After examining the other elements, this may be the clue that pulls it all together!
DEATH AND MORTALITY
CONSTRUCTIVE LOGIC
CONVERSATION CONSTRUCTION
ONLINE ACTIVITY