Contemporary Arts Week 1 Quiz

Study Notes

Art lacks a universal definition but is generally understood as the conscious creation of beauty and meaning using skill and imagination.
Historical and cultural contexts influence the value and definition of art.
The term "art" originates from the Latin word "ars," with early usage traced back to the 13th century.

Art as Representation (Mimesis):
- Coined by Plato, denoting art as an imitation or copying of reality.
- Historically valued based on faithful representation, especially before the late 18th century.
- Great masters like Michelangelo and Velásquez exemplify high-value representational art.
Art as Expression:
- Emerged during the Romantic movement, focusing on conveying emotions and audience responses.
- Aims to evoke specific feelings in viewers, holding relevance in contemporary practices.
Art as Form:
- Immanuel Kant advocated assessing art solely based on formal qualities, disregarding concepts or content.
- Formalism gained importance with the rise of abstraction in the 20th century, impacting art evaluation based on design principles.

Art definitions evolve as they are contextualized within historical settings and societal circumstances.
From the 11th to 17th centuries, skill and knowledge were paramount in defining art, particularly during the Dutch Golden Age.
The Romantic period expanded definitions to encompass emotion and beauty, contrasting with Enlightenment rationalism.

The Avant-garde movement began in the 1850s with realism and progressed through cubism, surrealism, and futurism.
Emphasizes originality and innovative expression, resulting in diverse modern genres like digital, performance, and conceptual art.

Diverse definitions of art exist, influenced by individual viewpoints and experiences.
Notable quotes highlight different understandings of art, such as its mysterious nature, its emotional capacity, and its role in civilization.

Early human symbolic expression, including cave paintings, represents the transition from primitive to modern consciousness.
Art signifies what it means to be human, facilitating communication of thoughts, emotions, and concepts through tangible forms.
Symbolism in art reflects the quest for understanding life’s mysteries and human experience.

Engage with various artworks through practical classification (mimesis, expression, form) to deepen understanding.
Reflect on personal interpretations of art using quotes from renowned artists and theorists to contextualize individual experiences.