Visual Literacy
Association of College and Research Libraries Visual Literacy Definition:
"Visual literacy is a set of abilities that enables an individual to effectively find, interpret, evaluate, use, and create images and visual media. Visual literacy skills equip a learner to understand and analyze the contextual, cultural, ethical, aesthetic, intellectual, and technical components involved in the production and use of visual materials. A visually literate individual is both a critical consumer of visual media and a competent contributor to a body of shared knowledge and culture" (ACRL Visual Literacy Competency Standards 2011).
In Other Words...
Visual literacy is based on the fact that images are considered pieces of information. An individual can develop a visual literacy skill set that allows them to understand, use and create images ethically, creatively, and responsibly.
Why Does it Matter for this Class?
Having a visual literacy skill set is imperative for anyone studying the arts. In order to fully appreciate and understand artwork, one needs to know how to analyze it and how to form an educated opinion about the work. While visual literacy is a huge topic that covers a variety of skills, the graph below depicts the visual literacy skills that you will specifically need for this class. Each tab of this box, explores each of those skills in more detail.
Chart based on and adapted from the Visual Literacy Array Chart
Effective Use of Images (Chart)
Below is a chart that breaks-down using images effectively. Please note that the chart isn't exhaustive and doesn't include all of the elements you want to consider when assessing the effective use of images. The chart is meant to be a starting point and to help spark ideas.
Evaluating Images (Chart)
The chart below presents a list of questions, relating to its topic, that you will want to consider when evaluating an image. Please note, that this chart is not meant to be exhaustive. There are many other questions that you can/should consider when evaluating an image. This chart is just meant to help you start thinking and you can build from there.
Example: Which Piece is Done by Hannah Höch?
If you had an assignment to find an image of a work by the artist Hannah Höch and you didn't know much about her except that she worked with collage, you might think that both of the below images represent works by this artist. If you assumed this, you would be wrong I started my search by doing a Google Image search for, "Hannah Höch". When I did this, the image on the right popped up in my search results. While I am only vaguely familiar with the work of Höch, I thought the image on the right looked like she could have created it. But, if I assumed this without researching further, I would have been wrong! I had two failed attempts.
Remy, Sabine. Homage to Hannah. 2013. Collage, 35 x 14.3cm (14in. x 6in.), Germany, http://miriskum.de/collagen-2013/.
Höch, Hannah. Flight Flucht. 1931. Photomontage, 23 x 18.4cm (9in. x 7in.),Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen,https://library.artstor.org/#/asset/ARTSTOR_103_41822003045430;prevRouteTS=1580237694748.
Interpreting and Analyzing Images (Chart)
The chart below presents a list of questions, relating to its topic, that you will want to consider when evaluating an image. Please note, that this chart is not meant to be exhaustive. There are many other questions that you can/should consider when evaluating an image. This chart is just meant to help you start thinking and you can build from there.
Example of Interpreting and Analyzing an Image:
Botteicelli, Sandro. Birth of Venus. 1482. Tempera on Canvas,185.5cm. x 285.5cm. (73in. x 112in.) Florence, Galleria degli Uffizi,https://library.artstor.org/#/asset/SCALA_ARCHIVES_1031314669;prevRouteTS=1580301061993.
Initial Observations:
- Rich colors
- Flat background (the trees and people seem to be "on top" of the background)
- Ocean is painted to look like the water is actively moving
- Beach with green grasses shores in the background
- Tall trees with green leaves mostly to their tops
- Four people in the painting:
1. Male angel (long brown hair, wings, partly-wrapped in a whitish-grey cloth, toned, pink flowers flow around him, he seems to be blowing wind onto Venus, almost like he is trying to blow her to shore)
2. Female Angel (golden blond hair, partly wrapped in a green cloth, angel wings, her arms are wrapped around the male Angel and it looks like he could be carrying her at his side, she is starring at the Venus in surprise? Awe? Admiration?)
3. Central female figure "Venus" (naked woman with long goldish-blond hair, one hand on her chest, one hand and part of her hair is over her privates, she seems to be looking off in the distance with an inattentive look on her face)
4. Woman on the Shore (fully clothed in a floral dress with greenery around her neck and waist, golden blond hair partly down and in a braid, she is looking at Venus and she is holding a red cloth that she seems to be trying to wrap Venus in. The red cloth is blowing in the wind)
Related Text:
Below is a screenshot of the related text/description from Artstor for this image. This is the information that you would want to look at after you form your initial observations.
What information do I know have about this work that I didn't before?
- Artist= Sandro Botticelli
- Date of Creation= 1482
- Medium= Tempera on canvas
- Dimensions= 185.5 x 285.5 cm (this is around 73in. x 112in.)
- Location= Florence, Galleria degli Uffizi
How does this information add to/change my initial impressions of this image?
Because I now know who the artist is, I have a better understanding of the style of the image. I can now look at other art of Botticelli and compare subject matter, style, medium,etc. I also know the date the work was created and this can help me get a better understanding of the stylistic elements of the painting that may be apart of painting in the 15th century.
Gaining Context for this Image:
If I was actually researching this image, I would want to search for articles and books that would provide me with more information about Botticelli's work and this specific painting. The goal here would be to understand what the opinion of others is about this work and learning the motives of the artist in creating this painting.
Use Images Ethically and Cite Visuals (Chart)
The chart below presents a list of questions, relating to its topic, that you will want to consider when evaluating an image. Please note, that this chart is not meant to be exhaustive. There are many other questions that you can/should consider when evaluating an image. This chart is just meant to help you start thinking and you can build from there.
Example Citation:
If I want to cite a photograph from Artstor of the painting, Red, Yellow and Black Streak (Stries rouge, jaune et noir) by Georgia O'Keeffe, I would want to consult the citation information offered for the photograph in Artstor. Then, I would want to form the citation using the information and consulting the Purdue Owl Chicago Style page to make sure I am following the right format. Below is the right citation for the image using Chicago Style.
O'Keeffe, Georgia. Red, Yellow and Black Streak (Stries rouge, Jaune et noir), painting, 101.3 x 81.3cm (40 in. x 32in.), Musee National d'Art Moderne, Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, France. https://library.artstor.org/#/asset/AWSS35953_35953_30939279;prevRouteTS=1580324432738.
PLEASE NOTE!!!
While many of the databases do have a pre-made citation option, it is important to ALWAYS double check that the citation is correct! While they can be reliable, it is always better to be safe and double check them.