What is Art? Create a Diagram: Compare and contrast three of the four forms
Chair Abstract painting of a Chair Painting of A Chair
What does the work “ART” mean to you? Does it remind you of paintings and sculptures? Does it make you think of an art gallery? Does it make you think of a class? Art Is MORE. It is people! - People that make art - People that view art - Teachers and Students
What Is Art? No comprehensive definition-Differs in cultures, by gender, by race, religion, etc. How can we get past “I like it!” or “I don’t like it!”?
What is ART?
Art is Intentional Artists plan Artists design Art is FORM AND CONTENT Art is Design Everything is done for a REASON! When asked why… artists have a “real” answer
How should we look at art? Can anything be art? Are all stuffed goats and Indian shirts art? Robert Rauschenberg, Monogram, Brule Sioux Buckskin War Shirt from the Museum of the American Indian, New York
Evaluating Works of Art The 5 Aesthetic Properties of Art Sensory Formal Technical Expressive Reflective
What Are Aesthetic Properties? Characteristics we can react to We react with our 5 senses We react to how an artwork is organized We react to the technical capability of an artist We react to the expressiveness of an object or image We react to what an artwork may tell us about ourselves or our society
Sensory Properties Recognized by our senses (mainly sight and touch) The 7 Elements of Art: Line Shape Color Value Form Texture Space
Wassily Kandinsky M.C. Escher
Formal Properties Help us to see how artists organize the elements of art to express their ideas The 7 Principles of Design Unity Balance Emphasis Contrast Rhythm Pattern Movement
Alex Grey Jacques-Louis David
Technical Properties Media, tools, equipment used to make an artwork Studying / working with different media can help you judge the technical properties of artwork and the quality of work
Deborah Rockman Chuck Close
Expressive Properties Characteristics of an artwork that cause us to respond with feeling and emotion Ideas, ideals, criticisms, religion, hope, compassion, etc. can be communicated
Francisco Goya Barbara Kruger
Reflective Properties Artwork reflects the times it was made in Imagery, media, techniques, and style place an artwork in a time and place
Leon Golub James Montgomery Flagg
Identifying Art How do we identify and object or image as “art”? It is usually a good example of craftsmanship, exhibits several aesthetic properties, and reveals some societal background of a culture High quality work = paradigm = classic example
Intentions and Art Human Intention is a necessary factor in determining whether or not something is art Design and aesthetic experience are important but whether something is considered art seems to be a matter of judgment
How do we Judge? Art Criticism- A systematic discussion of the characteristics of an artwork, usually involving four stages: description, analysis, interpretation, and evaluation (judgment)
Description The FACTS in an artwork such as objects, people, shapes, and colors Elements of Art- The building blocks of art, space, line, shape, color, value, and texture. Tools artists work with to create an artwork (Sensory and Technical)
Let’s do a COMPLETE description Objects: Lines: Shape: Texture: Space: Form: Color:
Analysis Analysis- The examination of the relationships among the facts (objects, people, shapes, colors, etc) in an artwork (how Elements work together) Principles of Design- Balance, Emphasis, Movement, Rhythm, Repetition, Movement, Contrast, and Unity (Formal) Composition- The act of organizing the elements of an artwork into a harmoniously unified whole.
Pierre Auguste Renior, Luncheon of the Boating Party This painting includes a wealth of people, objects, and even a puppy. What other things can you describe about the painting besides the actual subjects it depicts?
Interpretation & Evaluation Interpretation- Explanation of the meaning of an artwork (Expressive) Evaluation- Process to determine the quality or lasting importance of an artwork (Technical and Reflective)
Audrey Flack “Wheel of Fortune”