How Is Art Defined? PDF

HOW IS ART DEFINED? ART APPRECIATION ART APP| Prof. Marivic Tanedo | Prelims @fleurainz WHAT IS ART? AESTHETICS Specific thing: sculpture, photo, Philosophical argument about the dance, poem, or play. n...

HOW IS ART DEFINED? ART APPRECIATION ART APP| Prof. Marivic Tanedo | Prelims @fleurainz WHAT IS ART? AESTHETICS Specific thing: sculpture, photo, Philosophical argument about the dance, poem, or play. nature of beauty (Philosophy of Art). Conscious use of skill and creative Deals with notions of taste, cultural imagination. conventions. Expression of experience. ○ Ideas of art being “good or Uniquely human and tied directly to bad” based on specific culture cultural information and It takes the ordinary and makes it beliefs and judgments we extraordinary. make based on our Asks questions: who we are, what perceptions. we value, meaning of beauty, and Subjective Perspectives the human condition. ○ Knowledge residing in the Medium of artistic expression. emotions and thoughts of the ○ Allows us to experience viewer (instinctual reaction). sublime joy, deep sorrow, Objective Perspectives confusion, and clarity. ○ Informed opinion ○ Tests our strengths and ○ Focuses on object’s physical vulnerabilities. characteristics as the main ○ Gives voice to ideas and source of information. feelings. ○ Connects us to the past, ARTISTIC ROLES reflects the present, and anticipates the future. Descriptions ○ Its traditional role is to describe ourselves and/or HOW IS ART DEFINED? surroundings. a. Portraits - captures the summary of physical FORM characteristics. Physical and visible characteristics. b. Landscapes - detailed Work’s size information about natural and Work’s medium (painting, drawing) human-made surroundings Description of compositional (location, architecture, time elements (lines, colors, shape) of day, season / year) c. Still Life - painting featuring CONTENT an arrangement of inanimate, everyday objects, often Meaning flowers or fruit. ○ Visual clues that provide an understanding of what the art tells us.  Narratives glassware, leather goods, ○ Subject matter is used as a fine metal working vehicle for communicating Style stories and other cultural ○ Appearance in work of arts expressions. ○ Naturalistic style, abstract ○ Perpetuate knowledge, style, cultural style morals and ethics, and signify historical contexts. ○ Forms: Spoken or written word Music Dance Visual arts Exploration ○ Of other worlds beyond our imagination. ○ Includes: world of spirit, myth, fantasy, and the imagination. ARTISTIC CATEGORIES Fine Arts ○ Includes drawings, paintings, sculptures, photographs. ○ Finest examples of human artistic heritage. Popular Culture ○ Products and images we are exposed today such as graffiti, advertising, popular music, tv, digital imagery, magazines, books, movies, cars, celebrity’s statues, public murals. Crafts ○ Category of art that shows a high degree of skilled workmanship associated with utilitarian purposes. ○ Ex: Ceramic Vessel, handmade furniture, ART ELEMENTS ART APPRECIATION ART APP| Prof. Marivic Tanedo | Prelims @fleurainz LINE ZIG-ZAG LINES Path that a point takes through Sharply alternate between moving space. up and down. Can be thick, thin, dotted, solid. Convey a sense of tension or pain. Can make straight movements, zig-zags, waves, or curls. BROKEN LINES Express emotion as well. May show excitement, anger, Made up of consecutive line calmness, tension, happiness, etc. segments. Convey a sense of transition, movement, or temporality. HORIZONTAL LINES Generally restful. EXPRESSIVE LINES Like the horizon. Where the sky meets land. Tend to be found in nature and are Left to right. very organic. Convey a sense of rest and calm. Used expressively in art. VERTICAL LINES CONSTRUCTIVE LINES Seems to be reaching, so they may Very measured, geometric, seem inspirational like tall majestic directional, and angular. trees or church steeples. Tend to appear to be man-made Up and down. because of their precision. Convey a sense of strength and power. SHAPE Created when a line becomes DIAGONAL LINES connected and encloses space. Tend to be disturbing. Outline or outward appearance of Suggest decay or chaos line something. lightening or falling trees. 2D Combination of up and down, left Height and width. and right. Convey movement and instability. GEOMETRIC SHAPES Have smooth even edges and are CURVED LINES measurable. Generally alternate directions. Square, circle, triangle, rectangle. Convey a sense of soothing movement or energy.  ORGANIC SHAPES WAYS VALUE CAN BE ADDED More complicated edges and are Cross-hatching usually found in nature. ○ When you use irregular Leaves, flowers, ameba, etc. lengths of parallel lines that cross over each other diagonally. FORM Soft shading 3D ○ When you use your pencil to Height, width, depth. create soft gradual Not flat. movements from one value Triangle to cone or pyramid. to the next using the full Square to cube. value range. Stippling VALUE ○ Use of dots to create shade. Lightness or darkness of a color. Makes more objects appear more COLOR real because it imitates natural light. Can add interest and reality to When showing value in a work of art, artwork. you will need a light source. ROYGBIV Light source - place where the light Primary Colors: Red, Blue, Yellow is coming from, the darkest areas Secondary Colors: mix 2 primary are always on the opposite side of colors the light. COLOR WHEEL TYPES OF VALUE Colors would be more useful to them High Key - contain the most white if they were placed in a wheel and are on the palest end of the fashion. gradient scale. Low Key - contain the most black, and are on the darker end of the COLOR SCHEME gradient scale. Color is divided into groups based High Contrast - when two colors on the way they are placed on the have opposite values, such as very color wheel. dark and very light blue. Analogous Color Scheme - 3-4 Low Contrast - when two colors colors “next-door neighbors” to each have values that are only slightly other. different from one another. Complimentary Color Scheme - 2 colors that are directly opposite each other (across the center). Split-Complementary Color Scheme - complementary color and  the two colors on either side of its SPACE complement. Monochromatic Color Scheme - Background - upper ⅓ of the when you use only one color plus its picture plane. tints and shades. Middle Ground - middle ⅓ of the ○ Tint = color + white picture plane. ○ Shade = color + black Foreground - lower ⅓ of the picture Triadic Color Scheme - uses 3 plane. colors that are equally spaced apart on the color wheel. SHALLOW SPACE When the artist has objects very COLOR TEMPERATURES close to the viewer. Warm Colors - those that have reds, yellow, and oranges. Seems to POSITIVE SPACE advance in artwork. Actual object/s within the artwork. Cool Colors - those that have blues, greens, and violets. Seems to recede an artwork. NEGATIVE SPACE Area in and around the objects. TEXTURE It is the “background” and it contributes to the work of art. The way the surface of an object You can’t have positive space actually feels. without negative space. TACTILE TEXTURE PERSPECTIVE Or Real Uses a vanishing point on the The way the surface of an object horizon and then creates a sense of actually feels. deep space by showing objects Ex: sandpaper, cotton balls, tree getting progressively smaller as they bark, puppy fur, etc. get closer to the vanishing point. IMPLIED TEXTURE OVERLAP The way the surface of an object When objects are overlapped. looks like it feels. Type of texture that artists use when they draw or paint. May look rough, fuzzy, gritty, or scruffy, but can’t actually be felt. BASIC ASSUMPTIONS, NATURE, AND FUNCTIONS OF ART ART APPRECIATION ART APP| Prof. Marivic Tanedo | Prelims @fleurainz events, to instruct, to commemorate BASIC ASSUMPTIONS individuals or Art involves experience. historical events, and Art is not nature. Nature is not art. to serve as vehicles Art is cultural. of personal Art is a form of creation. expression. Art is subjective. AESTHETIC FUNCTION NATURE OF ART An artist may create a need for Art is a diverse range of human self-expression or gratification. activities. He/she might have wanted to Art represents reality. communicate a thought or point of Art is an expression. view. Art serves as a means of On a higher level: art has been used communication of emotions. to attempt to exert magical control Art matters. over time, or the seasons. Art is universal. He/she wants to provide an Art is creation. aesthetic experience. A piece might have been meant to FUNCTIONS OF ART ‘merely’ entertain others. Sometimes a piece isn’t meant to Every art form has a definite function have any meaning at all. since it satisfies a particular need: Art is used to bring order to a ○ Architecture disorganized and disorderly world. Directly and entirely Art can also be therapeutic for both functional because the artist and the viewer. buildings and other Art can also help someone express structures are always themselves, explore their emotions, built for some and improve their self-esteem. purpose. Art has religious function. ○ Music and Dance It was used in ancient rituals and worship of the gods and for social and folk entertainment. ○ Painting and Sculpture May be used to narrate events, to portray people or  the building for? Who are SOCIAL FUNCTION going to use it? How many Social functions of art are those that are they? go beyond personal intrinsic value to The design that a building takes is art’s social benefits. also adapted to the climate of the Art communicates; most often it is region. constructed with the intention of Community Planning sharing responses and opinions ○ It involves the efficient about life with others. organization of buildings, Art enriches, informs, and questions roads, and spaces so they our world. meet the physical and Art can have powerful transformative aesthetic needs of the and restorative effects within a community. society. ○ It takes into consideration the Art performs SOCIAL FUNCTION assignment of areas for when: proper land use. These are: ○ Influences social behavior Residential districts (Political function) Industrial and Seeks or tends to commercial areas influence the Civic centers collective behavior of Parks, plazas and people. malls Example: Bayanihan Streets and roads ○ Display and Celebration Function and Beauty It is created to be seen or used primarily in public PURPOSE OF ARTS situations. Recording -Cave paintings, Example: fiestas, Appearances portraits, realists parade, etc. painting, sculptures, photographs PHYSICAL FUNCTION Making the -Dreams and Visions Form and Function Invisible Visible -Symbolism and ○ The function of an object is Surrealism Images of gods, angels and generally essential in the demons Events from basic form that it takes. distant past or ○ Example: A chair is generally far-future designed as to allow the seated body to rest Communicating -Display wealth, power, comfortably on it. and prestige Mass -Communication of Architecture general interest ○ The design of the building is -Political point of view: determined primarily by its appeal or persuade operational function: What is Delighting -Aesthetic purpose of an artwork -Categorical FACTORS AFFECTING THE ARTIST AND purpose of art HIS WORKS (beautiful geometrical design of house of Style prayer and ○ Overall embodiment of the worship-Mosque choice of subject matter, treatment and emphasis which reflects the artist or a ANATOMY OF AN ART particular period. Historical Factors Subject Anything imaginary or real which may be ○ Style of a particular period of represented in 3 ways time. (abstract, distorted, or Geographical Factors real). ○ Limits or extends the choice of subject matter of an artist Artist Acclaimed by from natural landscapes or connoisseur or patron like Da Vinci or the flora and fauna even the Michelangelo or materials available as a acclaimed by a group medium. like Ugat-Lahi and Political, Psychological, and Bayan Muna, or may Sociological Factors be coming from an elite ○ Artists are influenced by his member of the society or from an ordinary political beliefs, culture, the class like Juan Luna state of mind or a certain philosophy of life. Emotions or Ideas Exaggerated, limited, to be Expressed imaginary, real, or grounded from CREATIVITY experience Allows us to do something meaningful with our imagination. Medium and Visual, practical, performing arts artwork Is using imagination to unleash the Technique potential of existing ideas in order to Purpose Recording appearance, create new and valuable ones. making the invisible Requires our focus to be on things visible, communicating, that might be possible, but we can’t delighting be sure until we explore them further. The Viewer, Connoisseur, Elite or patron, fellow artist, Requires knowledge of the idea, Patron, or Critique by-stander or ordinary motivation and freedom to explore, people intelligence to see what makes the convergence of any set of ideas Impression of the Appreciate or critique possible, and the energy to see the Viewer, Patron, process through. and Critique  IMAGINATION Allows us to think of things that are not real or around. Is about seeing the impossible or unreal. Our focus can be on things that are impossible. It is quite possible to be imaginative without being creative. Creativity is the act of turning new and imaginative ideas into reality. We are all born with imagination but creativity is learned. THE SUBJECT AND CONTENT OF ART ART APPRECIATION ART APP| Prof. Marivic Tanedo | Prelims @fleurainz Imbued with religious and SUBJECT mythological meaning. Main idea that is represented in the ○ Reflection of the times. artwork. ○ Church was the center of Essence of the piece. everyday life. To determine subject matter: ○ Class hierarchy was deeply ○ What is actually depicted in embedded. this artwork? 16th-19th century, society was ○ What is the artist trying to changing. express to the world? What Natural World is his or her message? ○ Now interesting to observe ○ How are they conveying that and record in its own right, message? not for religious or mythological purposes. 6 MAIN ART SUBJECTS More interested in exploring our inner world of moods and emotions. Dissolved into geometry. STILL LIFE The objects depicted in paintings Collection of inanimate objects were exalted as commodities and arranged together in a specific way. recognized for their commercialism, Subject Matter as in the Pop Art and Photorealism ○ Determined by the objects movements. that are portrayed in the Giorgio Morandi paintings. ○ Extensive body of still life Meaning and Themes paintings. ○ Themes can be personal, ○ Natura Morta cultural, societal, mythological, religious or LANDSCAPE philosophical and existential. Natural scenery such as mountains, Can be based on cliffs, rivers, etc. material qualities Can be painted realistically, in an (color and texture). effort to replicate nature as closely ○ Can be whimsically based on as possible. objects that start with the Can be created in an abstract same letter of the alphabet. manner, in which the imagery is ○ Things you might find in a imbued with a deeper spiritual typical junk drawer in meaning. someone's kitchen. Artists: All of these themes can overlap to ○ Aboriginal artists of Australia. weave a richly layered tapestry of ○ Fauvists theme and meaning within a single Can also be surreal and imaginative. artwork.  Urban Landscape PORTRAITURE ○ Images of seascapes, cloudscapes, skyscapes, Image of a particular person or riverscapes, or cityscapes. animal or group. ○ All center around some kind Subject of a portrait - “sitter”. of scenery. A strong portrait captivates viewers, Plein Air draws them into the painting, and ○ “In the open air”. engages their attention. ○ Benefit: you can see the Portrait paintings can reveal the landscape in front of you. sitter's place in society, their hobbies From a Photograph or occupation, or aspects of their personality or beliefs Clothing NATURE Setting Focused view or interpretation of Objects specific natural elements. Styles Photo Realism to abstraction. ○ Realistic or expressionistic. Art can mimic nature. ○ Normal skin colors or Abstract paintings can also take their unconventional color visual cue from actual forms in schemes. nature. ○ Detailed and delicate. Art can open our eyes to the ○ Three-dimensional or flat. intricacy and beauty of the natural ○ Cover the surface or remain world. unfinished. It can simply be a pretty picture that appreciates nature for what it is. ABSTRACT It can be a challenging piece expressing our complex human Non-representational work of art. connection to nature. Expresses things that are beyond Art can serve a purpose beyond what we can see with our eyes. being an object of beauty. Focuses on the non-linear world of It can also address pressing emotions and the subconscious. environmental issues and topics. Language of color. ○ Art has the ability to interact Perfect platform for exploring the with and educate the viewer nature of consciousness. about these issues. Free Association Art can help renew, or spark anew, ○ You can assign your own our connection with nature. meaning to the artwork.  ○ Evaluation / Judgment DAY OF THE DEAD Is this a successful Mexican holiday with a vibrant work of art? artistic tradition. Determine the degree ○ Dia de Muertos. of artistic merit. Remembering and Give opinions. celebrating our loved ones who have passed away. HERMENEUTICS Skull Art Hans-Georg Gadamer ○ Colorful, psychedelic, and Art and discipline of interpretation. dancing with intricate Concerned with the place of art in designs. our experience of the world. Concerned with the cognitive dimension of such experience. Aesthetics ○ Accumulated modes of UNDERSTANDING THE ART CONTENT learning. ○ Study of what objectively ART CRITICISM informs our subjective awareness of art. Steps: ○ Seeks to break through the ○ Description pleasurable distractions. What do I see? ○ Presupposes List all the things you phenomenological see in the work. involvement. List only the facts. ○ Dialogical in character. Include size and ○ Set of practical contemplative medium. notes. ○ Analysis ○ Deepen our experience of How is the work art. organized? Theory is deployed to Attention is paid to deepen contemplation of the elements and artworks. principles. Levels: How the work is 1. Peshalt organized. 2. Remez ○ Interpretation 3. Derach What is the artist 4. Sod saying? Explain or tell the Art is a harmony of patterns and rhythms of meaning or mood of color, form, and line. the work. UNDERSTANDING THE ART ART APPRECIATION ART APP| Prof. Marivic Tanedo | Prelims @fleurainz ○ Light to dark hues of color ART PRINCIPLES ○ Gradation of color ○ Gradation of size and UNITY direction Arrangement of elements and principles with media to create a VARIETY feeling of completeness and Concerned with combining one or wholeness. more elements to create interest by adding slight changes. HARMONY Heightens the visual appeal of the work. Too much variety can create chaos. ○ Artists avoid chaos. Blending elements to create a work PATTERN of calm, restful appearance. Planned or random repetitions to Sometimes, harmony is referred to enhance surfaces of paintings or as unity. sculptures. CONTRAST REPETITION Differences in values, colors, Combining art elements so that the textures, shapes, and other same elements are used over and elements. over again. Create visual excitement and Will create a visual pattern. interest. Repetition and pattern go Ways to achieve contrast: hand-in-hand. ○ Contrast of Color - warm vs. cool colors ○ Contrast of Texture - MOVEMENT smooth vs. rough Used to create the look and feeling ○ Contrast of Size - large vs. of action and to guide a viewer’s eye small throughout the work of art. ○ Contrast of Shape - organic vs. geometric RHYTHM Repeating an element to make a GRADATION work seem active or to suggest Combining elements by using a vibration. series of gradual changes in those elements. Ways to achieve gradation: ○ Small to large shapes  BALANCE Arranging elements so no one part of a work overpowers, or seems heavier than, any other part. Kinds: ○ Formal (Symmetrical) Two halves are mirror images. ○ Informal (Asymmetrical) Two unlike elements seem to carry equal weight. ○ Radial Positioned around a central point. FORMAL / INFORMAL DESIGN Formal Objects balance one another out equally. Informal Asymmetrical layout is used. EMPHASIS Making an element in a work stand out by using an element of art. Can be created by contrast or by extreme changes. PROPORTION Concerned with the relationship of one part to another and to the whole work. Distorted Proportion ○ Out of proportion. SIMPLICITY Practice of using a limited number of similar elements to give a uniform appearance.