.critique.part.3.

So the question remains - how do you give a good critique?

For me, the first thing to constantly remind yourself of is "It's not about you."
Giving a critique is not about your personal opinions - it about identifying strengths and weaknesses and communicating them to the artist in a constructive manner so that they can improve what they're doing. Giving a critique is not about making you sound like a SmartyPants.

A critique is really about observation and analysis - and giving helpful suggestions.
"I think this is horrible" is not a critique.
"I think this could be improved if you changed/adjusted _________," is a good place to start.

Asking questions is also helpful - what mood was the artist trying to portray, what inspired them, where did the idea for the Thing come from? All of this information will effect the information you then relate back. If a dancer (for example) was dancing a piece in a rainbow costume, and you later found out that they were trying to express grief - this might be something to make a suggestion about if a suggest is wanted*, or ask a question about - Why did you choose a rainbow costume to express grief? It might be that rainbows hold significance for them in reference to the particular grief they're drawing inspiration from - or it could be that they weren't really thinking about costuming at all when they picked what to wear. If the later, a response might be "I think your inspiration would come across better if you wore more traditionally mournful colors." If the former, you might just suggest that they provide some more background about the performance.

Art is tricky in that it is highly personal. As artists, we don't always want to explain all the bits of our process; however to a certain degree we have to if we want our audience to get a message or take a story from what we're doing. This is where critique becomes particularly valuable - in helping us to recognize how the story is not coming across clearly - if a way that you can't when something is so close to the heart. And this is why it is important to phrase things carefully - if a person feels attacked they will not listen, and art is what suffers for it.

If you'd like to practice at home, here's a drinking game I just made up:
Gather a few friends, and everyone bring a dance video or an art piece (or whatever - these are just my mediums and what my brain thinks of first). These should be friends who do what you do - other dancers, other visual artists - otherwise anything they have to say is beyond useless. Take turns presenting your thing - give some background before you show it. Explain some context.
Show the thing.
If someone says something that is not actually helpful (i.e. "I hate this song.") - they drink.
If the artist tries to argue from an emotional place (i.e. "You just don't understand what I'm doing!" end statement without actual additional information) - they drink.
If someone just loves the Thing as is and has no insight to offer - they drink.
And don't forget to drink lots of water and take an aspirin before bed.

* As a rule, I do not give a critique unless someone has asked me for one point blank. Most people aren't looking from that - particularly from someone other than a close friend or colleague. Every once in a while, if I see something that would have a huge effect on a presentation, I'll ask the person if I can give a suggestion. This is important.
Unfortunately, the internet makes it really easy for me to break my own rule. But I try really hard not to tread where treading isn't wanted.