Art Appreciation Art as a term is taken from the Italian word artis, which means craftsmanship, skill and mastery of form. It is the expression or application of one’s imagination, creativity and skill. 7 Classical Forms of Art 1. Painting- In painting artist would usually use a canvas, and paint using oil, acrylic. Watercolor, pigments, dye and inks or other materials. 2. Sculpture- An ancient visual art that traditionally uses materials such as clay, stone, ceramic, metal or wood to create a three-dimensional visual art. 3. Literature- An art form that shares stories, the art form of language that can be either spoken, read or written. Examples: Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Drama, Folktale 4. Architecture- The art of structure, utilitarian art. 5. Cinema- This artform is a projection of a three-dimensional world into a two-dimensional screen. The art that engages both audible and visual senses. 6. Music- The art of arranging audible sounds and vibrations to produce a musical composition. 7. Theater- An art form that combines both dramatic performance, and visual art. Theatrical plays involves an artist or artist to perform in front of a live audience. Western Art History Prehistoric Period -With no written records kept within the period. What we know about this period rely solely on the artifacts that were found during excavations. Prehistoric artwork often symbolizes the culture and traditions of primitive civilizations. From hunting stories to encounters with now extinct predators/animals. Artworks: Stone Arrangement, Stone Carving and Pictograph (Painting with Meanings) Ancient Art Ancient art was produced by advanced civilizations, which refers to an established written language. The 3 civilization that were popular in this period was Athens, Egypt, Mesopotamia. Athens excels in producing literary works such as epics. The best example of this would be Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey Egypt excels in architecture and sculping. Example is The Great Pyramids and the Sphinx of Giza. Mesopotamia- Were responsible for one of the earliest forms of written language and cuneiforms. Example of this is the Code of Hammurabi. Medieval Art The Medieval Period or often referred to as the dark ages. During the early years of this period reflects darkness characterized by grotesque imagery that later on lead to the production of art that were centered around the church. Renaissance -During this period the styles of painting, sculptures and decorative art was focus on nature and individualism. Artist believed in the beauty of the human body and that art should be a representation of nature. Prominent Artist- Donatello, Michaelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael Mannerism Mannerist artists emerged from the ideals of Michelangelo, Raphael, and other Late Renaissance artists. Although painters, still believed in individualism and nature they wanted to establish a different technique in painting. Often times figures had graceful, elongated limbs, small heads, stylized features and exaggerated details. Baroque Baroque painting was characterized by drama. Often painting would have excessive use of shadows. Rococo This period encompasses decorative art, painting, architecture, and sculpture. Artist often offered a softer style and lighter colors compared to the Baroque period Neoclassicism During this period ancient artifacts from Athens were discovered and inspired artist withing the neoclassicism period to follow the techniques of classical art. Thus, the name neoclassicism or new classical was created. Romanticism Romanticism embodies a broad range of disciplines from painting, to music, to art. Romanticism period is the period of idealism. Realism Realism is the first modern art movement that is the result of multiple events and movements, such as Anti Romantic movement in Germany, Rise of journalism and the advent of photography. Artist believed in painting only the things that they could see in Reality. Art Nouveau Art nouveau or New Art attempted to create an entirely authentic movement free from any imitation of styles that preceded it. It focused on the natural world, characterized by long, sinuous lines and curves. Impressionism Impressionist painters sought to capture the immediate impression of a particular moment. This was characterized by short, quick brushstrokes and an unfinished, sketch-like feel. Post Impressionism Post Impressionist painters concentrated on subjective visions and symbolic, personal meanings rather than observations of the outside world. This was often achieved through abstract forms. Fauvism Fauvism is the first Avant Garde Movement, which is characterized by expressive use of intense color, lien and brushwork, a bold sense of surface design and flat composition. Expressionism Expressionism emerged as a response to increasingly conflicted world views and the loss of spirituality. Expressionist art sought to draw from within the artist, using a distortion of form and strong colors to display anxieties and raw emotions. Cubism Cubism was established by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, who rejected the concept that art should copy nature. They moved away from traditional techniques and perspectives; instead, they created radically fragmented objects through abstraction. Surrealism These are works of art that defied reason and often with a dream like perspective. Surrealists denounced the rationalist mindset. They blamed this thought process on events like World War I and believed it to repress imaginative thoughts. Abstract Expressionism Breaking away from what was considered conventional, and instead used spontaneity and improvisation to create abstract works of art. This is the period of art where pollock’s splattered paint became popular. Opt Art Opt Art was heightened by advances in science and Technology as well as an interest in optical effects and illusions. Pop Art Pop art is one of the most recognizable artistic developments of the 20th century. The movement transitioned away from methods used in Abstract Expressionism, and instead used every day, mundane objects to create innovative works of art. Arte Povera Arte Povera or Poor Art challenged modernist contemporary systems by infusing common place materials or preindustrial materials into artistic creation. Minimalism Minimalist art instead focused on anonymity, calling attention to the materiality of works. Artists urged viewers to focus on precisely what was in front of them. Conceptual Art Conceptual art completely rejected previous art movements, and artists prized ideas over visual components. Contemporary Art The 1970s marked the beginning of contemporary art, which extends through present day. This period is dominated by various schools and smaller movements that emerged. Movements: Neo Expressionism, Street Art, Picture Generation, Appropriation of Art, Digital Art. 3 Main Assumptions of Art Art is universal- good art is both timely and timeless. It’s societal and cultural relevance grows along with time. Art is not nature- Art is man’s expression, which is why it cannot be a product of nature. However, nature is the most common subject of art all throughout history. Art involves experience- By experience it means to actually do something. Art is the result of human creativity, imagination, skill and effort. “A true artist does not imitate nature, but rather interpret it in his own ways.” Art Appreciation - Ability to interpret or understand man-made art and enjoy them. Art appreciation deals with learning or understanding and creating arts and enjoying them. The Role of Creativity in Art Making - Creativity requires thinking outside the box. It is often used to solve problems that have never occurred before, conflate function and style, and simple make life a more unique and enjoyable experience. Art as a Product of Imagination, Imagination as a Product of art. - Art is a product of one’s creative imagination at the same time imagination is fueled by Art. “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand” -Albert Einstein THE ARTIST AND THE ARTISAN • An Artisan is a skilled craft worker who makes or creates things by hand that may be functional or strictly decorative. • Artisans practice a craft and may through experience and aptitude reach the expressive levels of an artist. Examples: Furniture, Decorative Art, Sculpture, Clothing, Jewelry. THE ARTIST • Artists work in fine arts including painting, illustration and sculpture. ______Conclusion_______ • An artist creates something of value through its aesthetics. • An artisan creates something that is functional -- bread, furniture, etc. -- but attempts to imbue some element of artistry or aesthetics in his craft. Art Function Functions of Art When it comes to function, different art forms come with distinctive functions. There is no one – to – one correspondence between an art and its function. Some art forms are more functional than others. Personal (public display or expression) • The personal functions of art are varied and highly subjective. This means that its functions depend on the person – the artist who created the art. • An artist may create an art out of the need for self – expression. This is the case for an artist who needs to communicate an idea to his audience. It can also be mere entertainment for his intended audience. Social Functions of Art • Art is considered to have a social function if and when it addresses a particular collective interest as opposed to a personal interest. Political art is very common example of an art with a social function. • Art may convey message of protest, contestation, or whatever message the artist intends his work to carry. Physical (utilitarian) • The physical functions art can be found in artworks that are crafted in order to serve some physical purpose. Other Functions of Art • Religious Function – or liturgical art, music, or drama is used as part of the ritual of a given religion. • Cultural Function- Through the printed matter, art transmits and preserves skills and knowledge from one generation to another. It broadens one’s cultural background and makes man more civilized and his life more enduring and satisfying.
