Glossary
15 Images
The required number of visual artworks submitted for the Sustained Investigation, intended to showcase the artistic process rather than just final products.
Example:
The student carefully curated their 15 Images to include early studies, failed attempts, and successful pieces, illustrating the evolution of their central idea.
Experimentation
The act of testing new or different materials, processes, or ideas to discover their potential and push the boundaries of artistic expression within the investigation.
Example:
Maria's experimentation with incorporating found natural elements into her ceramic sculptures led to unexpected and organic forms.
Ideas
The underlying concepts, themes, or messages that an artist explores and communicates through their artwork.
Example:
The central idea behind the series was to explore the fleeting nature of memory through blurred photographic images.
Inquiry
A clear, focused question or artistic problem that serves as the driving force and conceptual foundation for the entire Sustained Investigation.
Example:
Her inquiry 'How can discarded objects be transformed to comment on consumerism?' guided every sculpture she created for her portfolio.
Materials
The physical substances or media used to create artworks, such as paint, clay, paper, or digital tools.
Example:
The artist chose recycled cardboard and newspaper as their primary materials to emphasize the theme of sustainability in their installation.
Practice
The repeated and consistent use of specific materials, processes, or ideas to develop proficiency and explore variations within the Sustained Investigation.
Example:
Through consistent practice with charcoal, Leo mastered rendering realistic textures in his series of still life drawings.
Processes
The physical and conceptual activities involved in creating art, including planning, sketching, constructing, and critical thinking.
Example:
Her artistic processes included extensive research into historical textile patterns before she began weaving her contemporary tapestries.
Revision
The purposeful act of making changes, refinements, or improvements to artworks or artistic approaches based on reflection and learning throughout the creative process.
Example:
After realizing her initial color palette was too muted, Chloe undertook significant revision on her landscape paintings, adding bolder hues to enhance their emotional impact.
Skills
The technical abilities and proficiency demonstrated in the execution of artworks, specific to the chosen artistic discipline (2D, 3D, or Drawing).
Example:
His advanced drawing skills were evident in the precise anatomical rendering and expressive line work of his figure studies.
Sustained Investigation (SI)
A portfolio section demonstrating an artist's artistic journey, growth, exploration, and understanding of artistic concepts over time.
Example:
For her AP portfolio, Sarah developed a Sustained Investigation exploring the impact of light on urban landscapes, showcasing her progress from initial sketches to complex mixed-media pieces.
Synthesis
The cohesive integration of materials, processes, and ideas, demonstrating that they work together effectively as a result of the artist's intentional choices.
Example:
The successful synthesis of digital manipulation, traditional printmaking, and themes of identity resulted in a powerful and unified body of work.
Written Statements
Brief textual explanations accompanying the visual evidence in the Sustained Investigation, detailing the artist's inquiry and how their work demonstrates practice, experimentation, and revision.
Example:
Through her Written Statements, David articulated how his choice of vibrant colors in his abstract paintings directly responded to his inquiry about emotional expression.