Art History Midterm Study Guide: Key Terms

Gutai (Concrete Art)

• Name translates to "tool/means (gu) + body (tai)."
• A Japanese art group was founded in 1954 by Yoshihara Jiro.
• It was a radical, post-war artistic group.
• This group was known for innovative happenings, performances, and events.
• They aimed to break the barrier between art and life.
• An example is the "Breaking Through" performance, symbolizing post-WWII reconstruction.

Situationism

• A political and artistic group was founded in 1957.
• It was active in Europe in the 1950s and 1960s.
• The group was known for social and political critiques.
• Situationism was formed by merging three groups.
• The group supported student protests in France in 1968.
• Situationism was rooted in Marxism and avant-garde movements like Dada and Surrealism.
• Guy Debord was a key member.

Détournement

• Defined as a technique used by the Situationist International.
• It involves "Interrupting the spectacular flow" by shifting familiar elements.
• It's about creating a new situation from an existing one.
• It's often used to shock the viewer.
• An example is Duchamp's L.H.O.O.Q. (Mona Lisa with a mustache).

Dérive

• Situationist practice.
• It means "Drifting" through urban landscapes without a plan.
• It can be done alone or in groups.
• Its goal is to grow aware of societal shifts in space.
• It focuses on emotional effects of urban landscapes.

Open Artwork

• Introduced by Umberto Eco.
• These artworks are open to various interpretations.
• The viewer "completes" the artwork.
• An example is John Cage's 4'33".
• It is a process that removes the artist's intent

Happenings

• First used by Allan Kaprow.
• They are events based on scores (instructions).
• Such events break boundaries between the viewer and artwork.
• The viewer becomes a participant.
• An example is Kaprow's Yard.

Consumerist Society

• It encourages buying more products.
• It supports the belief that more consumption equals more happiness.
• It is a target of critique by artists (e.g., Situationists).
• It's critiqued for creating "spectacle culture."

Independent Group

• A group of artists in London in the 1950s.
• It discussed contemporary visual culture.
• It questioned modernism.
• It acted as Precursor to Pop Art.

Pop Art

• Started with the Independent Group.
• It employs commonplace images from mainstream culture.
• It is a reflection of society.
• It has an impersonal style.
• Bold colors and hard-edged images are notable.
• Notable Artists: Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein.

Silkscreen Printing

• A stenciling method.
• Ink forced through a mesh screen.
• It was used by Pop artists (e.g., Andy Warhol).

Combine

• A term used by Robert Rauschenberg.
• Hybrid creations: they are part painting, part sculpture.
• Example: Monogram.

Minimalism

• An art movement in New York in the 1960s.
• Simplicity and austerity are key.
• Focus on intrinsic qualities of a medium.
• Notable Artists: Donald Judd, Dan Flavin, Robert Morris.

Specific Object

• Coined by Donald Judd.
• Three-dimensional works (neither painting nor sculpture).
• Large scale.
• Depart from conventional formats.
• Made from any material.

Gestalt

• It is a psychology term ("shape" or "form").
• Perceptual experience as a whole.
• Used in Minimalism.
• It Describes the relationship between artwork and viewer.

Land Art

• Site-specific sculptures in nature.
• Large scale.
• Subject to environmental variables.
• Transforms awareness of the human-earth relationship.
• Notable Artists: Robert Smithson, Richard Long, Nancy Holt.

Site-Specificity

• Art created for a particular location.
• Meaning is tied to the work and location.
• Considers space's history, culture, and purpose.
• Used in sculpture and architecture.

Size vs. Scale

• Size is actual physical dimensions.
• Scale: size in relation to another object.
• "Size determines an object, but scale determines art." -Robert Smithson

Positive vs. Negative Space

• Positive space: subject areas.
• Negative space: background.
• Example: M.C. Escher's Sky and Water I.

Conceptual Art

• Values ideas and messages over aesthetics.
• Emerged from Minimalism.
• It encourages critical thinking about art.
• Sol LeWitt is an example.

Self-Referentiality

• Art that refers to itself.
• It uses symbolism or imagery.
• Example: MoMA Logo (stacked boxes).

Art & Language

• Conceptual artist collaborative.
• Founded in Britain in 1968.
• It creates Provocative texts.
• It challenges traditional art forms.
• It was named after their journal.

Feminist Art

• Empowers women and promotes equal rights.
• Stemmed from the Civil Rights Movement.
• Arose from the lack of women artists in US museums.
• Ad Hoc Women Artists' Committee brought this art to light.
• Examples: The Dinner Party, American People Series # Die, Womanhouse exhibition.

Ad Hoc Women Artists' Committee (1970)

• It was formed in 1970.
• It brings awareness to women's contributions in the arts.
• It was formed after a lack of women in a Whitney Museum exhibition.
• Notable Members: Faith Ringgold, Lucy Lippard, Brenda Miller.

Womanhouse Exhibition (1972)

• Feminist art installation and performance.
• Open to the public in 1972.
• Created by Judy Chicago and Miriam Shapiro.
• It refutes traditional roles of women in society.

Guerilla Girls

• Anonymous group of female artists.
• Formed in New York City in 1985.
• Wear gorilla masks..
• Raise awareness about the lack of female and minority artists.
• Expose sexism and racism in the art world.

Social Sculpture

• Art that can transform society.
• Used by Joseph Beuys.
• It supports the idea that everyone is an artist with creative potential.
• Art should have a purpose.

Artist as Shaman

• Shaman: someone with access to the spirit world.
• Artist as shaman: transformative and ahead of their time.
• Changes the collective consciousness.
• Example: Joseph Beuys.

Office for Direct Democracy

• Formed by Joseph Beuys in 1971.
• Political organization.
• Promotes democracy.
• Believes everyone should have a say and equal opportunities.

Remodernism

• Contemporary art movement.
• Began in 1999 with the Stuckists.
• Opposed to conceptual art.
• Includes Bold colors and traditional art forms.
• Values humility, spirituality, and sincerity.

Late Minimalist Sculpture

• Simple and uses industrial materials.
• Often site-specific.
• Example: Joel Shapiro.

Art in Architecture Program

• US government program.
• Established in 1963.
• Funds artworks for federal buildings.
• Examples: La Palme, Transparent Horizon.

Site-Specific Art

• Created for a particular location.
• Meaning tied to the work and location.
• Considers space's history, culture, and purpose.
• Used in sculpture and architecture.

Big Photography

• Characterized by large size and digital manipulation.
• Used in advertising and art galleries.
• Example: Andreas Gursky.

Retro Sensationalism

• Contemporary art movement.
• Sensationalist imagery and culture of spectacle.
• Often shocking and provocative.
• Example: Damien Hirst.

yBa

• Young British artist.
• Group of British artists from Goldsmiths College.
• Sensationalist works and entrepreneurial spirit.
• Does not include unifying aesthetic attributes.
• Example: Damien Hirst.

Charles Saatchi

• Iraqi-British businessman and art collector.
• Co-founder of Saatchi & Saatchi.
• Founder of the Saatchi Gallery.
• Major collector of yBa art.