The Nature of Art and Elements of Visual Arts

The Nature of Art

• Art is a concept that provides color and substance to everyday life.
• It's a tangible manifestation of human activity, expressing individuality through skills.

Elements of Art

• Lines are paths created by moving points in space (one-dimensional).
• Shape is where lines cross, creating images representing reality (two-dimensional).
• Geometric shapes include circles and squares; organic shapes lack a defined structure.
• Form includes shape and perceived volume (three-dimensional).
• Color is derived from reflected or absorbed light, defining mood.
• Texture describes the smoothness or roughness of an object.
• Space encompasses foreground, middle ground, background, and the area between or around objects, which can be negative or positive.

Contemporary Arts

• Contemporary art is the art of the present, continuously evolving.
• Visual art appeals to the visual sense and is created using varied mediums.

Types of Visual Arts

• Drawing involves creating images using tools like pens, ink, brushes, pencils, etc.
• Painting uses pigment or color on a surface.
• Photography captures images with camera features.
• Architecture involves building design and construction.
• Sculpture involves creating three-dimensional forms.
• Weaving involves interlacing threads to create fabrics.

Literary Arts

• Literary arts are collections of writing that depict emotions, history, and culture.

Performing Arts

• Performing art involves creative activity in front of spectators.
• Music combines vocal or instrumental sounds to create beauty in form, harmony, and expression.
• Theater (from the Greek word "Theatron") is a place where spectators watch performances.
• Cinema is the production of films as an art form and industry.

Principles of Contemporary Art

• Balance is a physical equilibrium where weight distribution is even.
  • Formal balance involves equal weight on both sides.
  • Informal balance has uneven but balanced weight distribution.
• Rhythm creates patterns or movement using art elements (line, color, texture, space, shape form, value) to guide the viewer's eye.
• Proportion is the relationship in size between shapes and forms.
• Emphasis draws attention to specific parts of a work.
• Appropriation uses pre-existing objects or images with minimal transformation.
• Hybridity combines unlikely materials.
• Technology is used in creating and disseminating art.

Elements of Art (from second page)

• Lines, Shape, Form, Color, Texture, Space
• Geometric and Organic Shapes
• Visual Arts, Literary Arts, Performing Arts

Types of Performing Arts

• Music, Theater, Cinema and Dance

Principles of Contemporary Art (second page)

• Balance, Rhythm, Proportion, emphasis