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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Although Irwin is not a good student, he is welcome where?

2. One of the first steps he takes is what?

3. Irwin's family is part of what social class?

4. By age _____________, Robert returns to Los Angeles.

5. How does Robert react when some of his work is actually destroyed by viewers at his displays?

Short Essay Questions

1. What takes place between 1962 and 1964?

2. What does Irwin do regarding the canvas to make the edges less noticeable?

3. What does Irwin say about his success and its connection to LA?

4. What is the mystery that remains regarding Robert Irwin?

5. Describe Robert's artistic process.

6. What leads Irwin from lines to dots?

7. What things come to an end in this section?

8. What does Blum think of Irwin's art?

9. Describe Irwin's liberal thinking.

10. How does Irwin end up in the military?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Irwin transforms from an abstract impressionist to a minimalist.

Part 1) What is an abstract impressionist? What is a minimalist? How does he go from one to another? Would he have put his work into such categories? Why or why not?

Part 2) What type of artist would you consider Irwin? Why? What would he consider himself? Why? Would he have been influenced by critics and other artists, regarding his style? Why or why not?

Part 3) What is your favorite art form? Why is this your favorite? How has your taste in art changed as you have grown older? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Critics have a difficult time pinning Irwin to one style.

Part 1) Describe the various styles to which Irwin had been temporarily pinned. How does his work reflect each of these styles?

Part 2) Why is it so difficult to pin Irwin to one style? Does Irwin want to be pinned? Why or why not? Why do critics want to pin him to one style?

Part 3) How important are various styles of art? Is it necessary for one to create a specific style of art in a specific genre and medium? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Many artists at Ferus become practitioners of Zen and other Asian philosophies.

Part 1) Describe Zen and these other Asian philosophies. Why do these artists become practitioners of these Asian philosophies?

Part 2) How do these philosophies affect these artists? How do these philosophies specifically affect their art? Why?

Part 3) What beliefs do you have about life? How do these beliefs influence your thoughts and actions? Is this a positive influence? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,209 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample