Understanding Art: Definitions and Meanings

• Section 1 covers the Structure of Art under the General Education Department
• The Preliminary Term focuses on the Foundation of Art

Lesson 1: Understanding Art

• Meanings and Definitions.
• Limitations, Uses & Functions.
• Aesthetic Theories.

Definitions and Meanings of Art

• The French word 'art' means skill via practice/learning
• The Latin word 'ars' means practical skills/ability
• Art is a product of inventiveness and creativity
• Susanne Lander believes art shapes our real feelings
• Art gives form to the world and reflects human nature, sensitivity, energy, passion, and mortality
• Art typically involves activities/products with communicative or aesthetic purpose
• Albert Einstein describes art as the profoundest thoughts in the simplest way
• Historian Adam Lauder posits that art captures nuances, paradoxes, and tensions beyond ordinary dialogue
• Aristotle defines art as realizing a true idea in tangible form to beautify surroundings, record moments, and express ideas
• Kant suggests art serves as a representation that promotes mental powers for communication
• Jaylen H. LLI Akron states art involves sensuous mediums arousing inner emotions'.
• Brandon Boyd thinks "art is everywhere”
• Ad Reinhardt (1913-1967) believes art is the viewer's interaction with the experience

Scopes and Limitations of Art

• Scope is a visual object, experience, system, method,process from skill or imagination
• Limitations dictate that everything, even art, has boundaries

Uses and Functions of Art.

• Art has a significant role in society
• Quantifying art's functions throughout history is difficult because creations often had unique purposes
• Art serves various individual, social, psychological, physical, historical, cultural, religious, aesthetic, industry, and political functions in society
• Personal/Individual Function: Offers understanding of ourselves
• Social Functions: Influences group thinking
• Psychological Function: Aspects can be self identity, actualization of self, remembering, hope, avoiding sorrow, rebalancing, self understanding, growth, and appreciation
• Physical Function: Practical usage items because of physical structure
• Historical Function: Is concerned with past events and documentation
• Cultural Function: Alters opinions, shares values, and shares cultural identity
• Religious Function: Used in spiritual connection in the world
• Aesthetic Function: Fascination with aesthetic, the symbolic reality, and a connection to the evaluation
• Industry & Economic Function: Creative design for economic progress
• Political Function: Influence as well as political/social impact by controversy

Philosophies of Art

• The intersection with human condition shows fundamental expression of human experience through history
• It entails the struggles and triumphs, joys/sorrows, and everything in between.
• Art provides a powerful lens through which to explore the human condition
• Art promotes beauty records, and communicates in minds

Three Assumptions of Art:

• Art is Universal for man's achievements through history or literature
• Art is Not Nature from creations or beliefs by inspiration or work
• Art Involves Experience from appreciation requires real experience

Philosophy in art involves

• Interpretation
• Representation
• Expression
• Form
• Aesthetics
• Taste

Two Branches of Interpretation:

• Intentionalism - Focuses on artist's mindset.
• Anti-intentionalism - Disregards the artist's intent.

Types of Representation:

• Realism/Naturalism depicts subject matter truthfully.
• Impressionism reflects impression of objects.
• Abstraction doesn't accurately depict reality but uses shapes to achieve effect

Aesthetic Theory:

• Is a late 19th century European theory based on the idea that art exists for beauty's sake
• Good judgements depend on artwork traits instead of preference
• Aesthetic qualities speak to the overall impression of the artwork

Ambroise Vollard, 1910, is Pablo Picasso's oil painting

Lesson 2: The Art Processes.

• Artists and Artisans

Composition:

• Elements of Art

Defining Artist and Artisan

• An 'Artist' can conceptualize an emotion, idea, or moment for creative expression through art forms
• An 'Artist' is dedicated to creative work for appreciation and aesthetic value
• An 'Artisan' makes decorative/functional objects
• An 'Artisan' emphasizes functional value
• An 'Artisan Worker' is in skilled trade through skilled craft
• Similarities show tangible traits from creation
• Difference: Focus on art from function

An artist creates because of desire

• Artist is purely an expression, while Artisans create beauty and purpose

Composition / Elements of Art

• Structures of artwork assembled to composition of artwork and design to create a masterpiece
• Line - A vertical, diagonal or curved based on position
• Shape - Enclosed area if a curved line cross one another
• Form - Three dimensional having height that is geometric or organic, for nature artwork/architectures
• Value- The light or tint that is black and white depending on the type of color
  • Chiaroscuro: Balance light and shadow
  • Sfumoto: Blend light and shadow
  • Caravaggio: The shadow has heavy light
• Color - Elements that create emotion through profound effect
  • Characteristics from the hue itself and value by saturation
  • Primary: Is yellow, red and blue
  • Secondary: Mixture green, orange, and purple
  • Intermediate: Mix primary with colors
• Space - Area of volume based on negative space/ design
  • Foreground is nearest to the viewer
  • The middle is next to the foreground
  • Background is layer after middle
• texture - The feel and sensation based on smooth/cold
• Motion - Dynamic as it is based on technique with scale and proportion effect

Principles of design

• Involves arranging components for desired composition
• Includes balance for weight in either side
• Unity, and its cohesion by an element
• Emphasis with design element eye-catching area
• Contrast to create interest
• Patterning various elements with repetition
• Movement for main focus
• Rhythm that is suggestive

Creativity In Art

• Is linking creative thoughts in the box
• Motivation is an element in creative thoughts
• Cannot be without art in creation
• Envision of a creative plan by a vision or recreate
• The ability for constant play to evolve Composition skills are important in art due to their functional and beautiful nature
• Is a way to give creation and implement
• Intelligent people create new artistic elements in art
• Be disciplined to record artistic ideas

Explore the definitions and meanings of art from various perspectives, including its French and Latin origins. Understand how art reflects human nature, communicates ideas, and captures complex emotions and thoughts. Examine the role of art in shaping our feelings and beautifying our surroundings.