#AP Art History: The Night Before 🌙

Hey! Let's get you totally prepped for tomorrow. We're going to break down two awesome artworks: Bill Viola's The Crossing and Christo and Jeanne-Claude's The Gates. Think of this as your final power-up before the exam. Let's do this!

#Unit 9: Global Contemporary (1980-Present)

This unit is a big deal, so let's make sure we nail it. We'll look at how these artists use different media and ideas to make us think about big stuff.

#The Crossing by Bill Viola

• What is it? A multi-screen video installation. Think of it as a super impactful movie, but in a gallery.
• Themes: 🌊 Life, death, and transformation – heavy stuff, but Viola makes it mesmerizing.
• Visuals:
  • Four large projections of a man and a woman.
  • They emerge from water and walk towards each other.
  • Slow-motion = dreamlike and symbolic.
• Symbolism: Water = spiritual baptism or rebirth. It's like a visual poem about life's journey.
• Sound: Powerful score by Viola himself. It's designed to make you feel the art.
• Where to see it? MoMA (NYC), Hirshhorn (DC), Getty (LA), and more! It's a world traveler.

#The Gates by Christo and Jean-Claude

• What is it? An environmental installation. Think of it as art that takes over a whole park.
• Scale: 7,503 vinyl gates with saffron-colored fabric. It's HUGE!
• Location: Central Park, NYC. They turned the park into a temporary art gallery.
• Purpose: To celebrate the park's beauty and offer a new perspective on the city.
• Funding: Self-funded by Christo and Jean-Claude through their own art sales. They were all about artistic freedom!
• Duration: Only up for two weeks. It was a fleeting moment in time.
• Impact: 4 million visitors! It was a major event.
• Legacy: No trace left behind except for memories and photos. It's all about the experience.

#Connections Between the Works

• Experiential Art: Both pieces are about the experience, not just the object. They want you to feel something.
• Temporary Nature: The Gates was temporary by design, while The Crossing is temporary in the sense that each viewing is a unique experience. This plays with the idea of time and memory.
• Scale: Both works use scale to create impact. One uses video, the other uses physical space.
• Audience Engagement: Both pieces invite viewers to become part of the artwork. You're not just looking; you're participating.

#Final Exam Focus

Okay, let's talk strategy. Here’s what you absolutely need to focus on:

• Key Terms: Installation art, video art, environmental art, site-specific art, ephemeral art.
• Themes: Transformation, experience, temporality, perception, and engagement.
• Artists: Know the key characteristics of Viola's and Christo and Jeanne-Claude's work.
• Connections: Be ready to compare and contrast these works with others you've studied.

#Last-Minute Tips

• Time Management: Don't spend too long on any one question. Keep moving!
• Read Carefully: Make sure you understand what the question is asking before you start writing.
• Use Evidence: Back up your claims with specific details from the artworks.
• Stay Calm: You've got this! Take deep breaths and trust your prep.

#Practice Questions

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following best describes the medium of Bill Viola's The Crossing? (A) Oil on canvas (B) Bronze sculpture (C) Video installation (D) Performance art

2. What was the primary material used in Christo and Jeanne-Claude's The Gates? (A) Marble (B) Steel (C) Vinyl and fabric (D) Concrete

3. A key characteristic of both The Crossing and The Gates is their emphasis on: (A) Traditional artistic techniques (B) Static, unchanging forms (C) Viewer experience and engagement (D) The artist's personal narrative

Short Answer Question (SAQ)

Briefly explain how the use of scale contributes to the impact of either The Crossing or The Gates. (3 sentences max)

Free Response Question (FRQ)

Compare and contrast the ways in which Bill Viola and Christo and Jeanne-Claude use temporality in their respective works, The Crossing and The Gates. In your response, consider how the temporary nature of each artwork contributes to its meaning and impact. (10 points)

FRQ Scoring Breakdown:

• Thesis (1 point): A clear statement that addresses the prompt's comparison of temporality in both artworks.
• Analysis of The Crossing (3 points):
  • Identification of the video medium and its temporal nature.
  • Explanation of how slow motion and looping contribute to the feeling of time.
  • Discussion of how each viewing is a unique and temporary experience.
• Analysis of The Gates (3 points):
  • Identification of the temporary nature of the installation.
  • Explanation of the limited two-week display and its impact.
  • Discussion of the ephemeral nature and its contribution to the artwork's meaning.
• Comparison and Contrast (2 points):
  • Clear comparison of how both works engage with temporality.
  • Contrast of how temporality is inherent in the medium vs. intentional in the installation.
• Conclusion (1 point): A concluding statement that summarizes the impact of temporality on both artworks.

Okay, you've got this! Go get 'em!