You will now do an art critique of a contemporary artwork. "contemporary" means present-day.
use what you've learned to write about what you see. read the artist's biography to find out about her historical context. be thoughtful in your responses, even if it means guessing at the possible answer.
to see a larger image of the artwork, click the icon on the main page of this practice activity.

detritus by morgan nomura, 2009.
1. describe (4 points)
2. identify (4 points)
based on what you see in the artwork and what you read in the artist's biography, what topics is the artist addressing?
3. interpret (4 points)
what might the artist's message be?
4. judge (4 points)
5. is the name of the piece significant? what does "detritus" mean? (4 points)

1. Describe (4 points) This is a vibrant picture with a straightforward background that pushes the crabs into focus and color change.  

2. Identify (4 points) Synesthesia is used in this piece of art by focusing on the color and imagery.  

Based on what you see in the artwork and what you read in the artist's biography, what topics is the artist addressing? Environmental / Organic materials and the loss.  

3. Interpret (4 points)The breaking of the rock particles an the size of the animals show the breakdown in the particles.  

4. Judge (4 points) Without knowing what the artist is trying to say in the art work, this is a plain artwork.  

5. Is the name of the piece significant? What does "Detritus" mean? (4 points)rock in small particles or other material worn or broken away from a mass, as by the action of water or glacial ice. any disintegrated material; debris. Dead decaying plant material. Detritus is particles of non-living organic materials, like dead leaves and animals and animal droppings on a forest floor. It can also refer to particles of rock worn away from a larger formation by erosion.

what are the choices?