Concentration Info

Good info I found on the AP Central website:

A Concentration is the concept of producing a series of sequential visual images -- images growing from images -- to help explore in greater depth a particular visual concern.

The AP student can then be made aware of commonalities in the artwork by identifying the subject matter, working techniques, concepts being explored, multiple approaches to a body of work, and the numerous ways the same material could be expanded upon. 

When this process of identifying commonalities or characteristics is completed, the students are encouraged to describe the subject matter, elements, and principles of art being used, and the working techniques. Analyzing the structure(s) of the related pieces and interpreting any concepts being presented is the next step. These analytical processes may be articulated further or replaced by having students explore an individual artist's or a group of artists' work and report back to the class. Another approach to consider is having students find commonalities in their own work or the work of another artist in terms of strengths, areas to be worked on, or subject matter. Groups or pairs of students may also help each other to find these similar attributes in their work.

All AP participants need to realize that a Concentration is not just a series of drawings of cats, cars, horses, emotions, and so on, appropriated from magazine images that appeal to them. Nor is the Concentration found one week prior to the submission of a portfolio by searching for commonalities in a group of divergent works. The individual must come to "own" her or his imagery, whether objective or nonobjective, based on personal contact, history, manipulation, observation, research, or a combination of these. By feeling deeply comfortable or involved with a Concentration, the AP student can continue to explore various approaches to the concept being developed. 


Bits and pieces from: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/courses/teachers_corner/44048.html