Creative Process and Artistic Perception

Art criticism and appreciation are essential for understanding art.
They involve evaluating and interpreting art, recognizing aesthetic and intellectual value, and deepening connection with artistic expressions.
Art criticism aims to identify good from bad statements, and truth from falsehood in art.
It goes beyond this, delving into beauty and ugliness in artwork, exploring its social, psychological and cultural aspects, and communicating this understanding to the audience.
It establishes a link between the artist and the viewer.

Criticism is the art of discerning good statement from bad statement, and true speech from false speech.

Art is defined as an 'artificial activity' created by human skill, either manual or intellectual, or both.
The second definition describes art as the practice of using skill and imagination to create aesthetically pleasing experiences. It stresses innovation and communication.
Art encompasses human creativity and beautiful things that have meaning. High skill achieved through study, observation; photographs and public presentations.

Early attempts to evaluate classical art (Greek and Roman).
A theory of art emerged in the Italian Renaissance.
Leonardo da Vinci's book on painting is notable.
Encouraging competition among artists was a primary aim at that time.
Art criticism became a recognized practice in the 18th century (1737). The rise of catalogues, pamphlets, newspapers and magazines at the Paris Salon focused on the analysis and critical discourse of artworks.
Denis Diderot (1713-1748) is considered a key figure amongst critics.

Art criticism involves analyzing and evaluating artworks.
Critics assess artistic choices, techniques, and messages conveyed.
Elements such as composition, color, texture, and the artist's intentions are examined.
The criticism of art also involves examining the historical and cultural contexts that inform a work.
The process depends on the artist (creator of artwork), the artwork itself, and the recipient (connoisseur), connecting them within a cultural system.

Art is a continuously evolving subject of questioning and discussion.
Quotations highlight the importance of art as a continuous, ever-evolving and complex practice, often requiring a deep understanding and analysis of artistic processes and outcomes.
Examples of influential quotations by Hippocrates, Aristotle, and John Locke were presented.

Art criticism may be defined as an objective judgment. It involves evaluating perceptions of form and object and considering factors of time and space when making judgment on an artwork.
Determining the value, revealing ideas, and explaining the expressive nature of an artwork are key aspects of the criticism process.
A permanent and continuous evaluation of artistic creative processes to reach perfection is a goal.
Art criticism is characterized by dynamism, renewal, close ties to material and cultural data, and development in line with the mental and creative capabilities of the time.

Bias and fanaticism toward artistic trends (intolerance, subjective views).
Rapid changes in styles and trends causing difficulty in in-depth study (lack of objectivity, confusion).
Biasing a particular social or political class or viewpoint through art criticism.
The immense volume of techniques and the overlap of materials used in art-making (causing confusion in analysis).
Influence of the relationship between the artist and the critic. The gap between inherited artistic traditions and contemporary trends (issue of originality and modernity in art, especially in Egypt).
Lack of education, awareness, past experience, and continual practice leading to uncritical opinions and judgements.

Understanding and evaluating art works.
Making judgements on these works.
Facilitating understanding of the artwork.
Obtaining pleasure from appreciating artistic work and discovering their creative values.
Broadening horizons for viewers (recipients) of art.
Enrich cultural experience and deeper understanding.
Stimulating new creative processes and emergent trends.

Art appreciation is the personal and subjective side of interacting with art.
Deep emotional and intellectual connection with art, intuition, and instincts are emphasized.
Exploring the beauty and emotional resonance of artwork is core to art appreciation.

Proper evaluation and critique necessitates art criticism.
Subjective/impressionistic evaluation is contrasted with structured/critical analysis.
Appreciating artworks that resemble natural images connects emotions to simpler perceptions.

Art appreciation is a communication process between the artist and the audience/viewer (connoisseur).
Artistic work is a message from the artist/self to the viewer/self, creating a shared emotional state.

Based on several studies, artistic appreciation is a multifaceted process with four key dimensions:
- Mental and Cognitive: Organization of abilities, creativity, deductive skills; understanding and appreciating artwork.
- Cultural and Social: Embracing traditions, norms, values, goals and motivations, detailed principles, selected methods of behaviour.
- Emotional: Expression of motives, emotions, values, personality and tendencies (to seek certainty).
- Formal: Characteristics of preference, evaluation, formation, use of rhythm; elements, foundations and values of the artwork, e.g. shape, space, line.. .

Attempts to study the creative process. (e.g. Wallas') outlines distinct phases:
- Preparation (conscious, long-term process).
- Incubation (period of seemingly inactivity but subconscious work).
- Insight (arrival of a solution).
- Verification/Realization (further scrutiny of ideas to solidify them).

Environmental Obstacles: Inappropriate space, furnishings, lighting, noise and unfavorable conditions.
Cultural Obstacles: Fear of failure, lack of confidence, pre-conceived ideas, and societal expectations.
Other Obstacles: Lack of enthusiasm, time-pressure, extremism in focus and the issue of judgment.

(Freud's) views artwork as a means of expressing repressed desires and fulfilling imaginative needs.
(Jung's) perspective emphasizes the role of the unconscious mind, including 'individual' and 'collective' unconscious, and archetypes in artistic expression.
Ehrenzweig's interpretation focuses on form & structure as well as the subconscious and the nature of dreams.

Psychological analyses of the creative process may often portray artists in a negative light.
However, criticism of such work is not without merit as demonstrated by the exploration of elements of artist's needs and motives in the creative process.
There are notable benefits despite criticisms of psychoanalytic theory. Some artists demonstrate rationality, profound study and clarity of ideas.

Elements of art are primary components used in creating artistic works: Line, Color, Value, Shape, Form, Space, Texture, and Time.
Principles of Design are the characteristics and style through which the elements of art are arranged. They include Balance, Emphasis, Harmony, Movement, Proportion, Rhythm, Unity, and Variety.