Reading Response 2

As a painter, I feel I look to photography to either help me to continually render my work realistically or create abstract scenes that might as well be painted (or constructed). Defining description is really important in all aspects of art making. The text breaks it down to the attention of form, medium, and style. Then goes more in depth into how to begin to interoperate and evaluate the work. The text provided multiple examples of artists and specific works to support Barrett’s main points. The text reminded me of the process of formal analysis in art history. I agree very much with the importance of fully describing the work. By continually bringing forth factual evidence of what is in front of you, you therefore begin to unravel purposeful decisions the artist made. “The relationship between describing and interpreting is circular, moving from whole to part and from part to whole” I think this quote explains very well the relationship of evaluating and critiquing the work in the most effective means possible. I think this text (or the reminder of the process of interpreting) is effective for us as artists to always be conscious and in control of our works. It is easy to get hung up on any one aspect of the background or the subject. This text reminds us how much responsibility we hold with our work and we need to be continually stepping back and asking questions and making formal decisions. I enjoyed the last part of the text where Barrett wraps up the principles for describing photographs to truly reiterate the valid importance of the points already thoroughly illustrated.