Understanding Art
by Beverly Quenville
Although art is humanity's most universal
language, no one definition can be agreed upon by the art world. In the
absence of a definition, standards are used in the EVALUATION OF
ART. Criteria which is used in this evaluation are craftsmanship, design,
aesthetic properties, and how well the works reflect the societies in which
they are created.
Throughout the years, ARTISTS HAVE CREATED
for many reasons. Probably the most important reasons are utility, religion,
politics, to pass on information/history or aesthetics. The word AESTHETICS
may be foreign to many. The term is used to sum up the search for beauty:
for a feeling of balance, proportion, and pleasing arrangement; for a
tasteful mixture of plain surface with textured or ornamental areas; for
thought provoking subject matter; for a conscientious use of materials to
achieve good craftsmanship and permanence.
Art is all around us, but many people do not
understand what they see. The more that art can be broken down into simple
language, the better everyone can understand what they see. The STUDY OF ART
is often broken into four components: art criticism (analysis), aesthetics,
art history, and art production. All four of these components must be
studied together to fully appreciate and understand a work of art.
In order for the viewer to understand what
the artist is trying to communicate, he must have some knowledge of the
visual communication process. Every work of art is based on a
certain SUBJECT MATTER (what the artist is talking about) which can range
from a portrait to a landscape to a non-objective painting (based only on
color, line, shape, etc.) as well as many others.
The tools and materials of the artist are
called MEDIA. Several examples of drawing media are pencil, charcoal,
pen & wash & pastel. Painting media might
include fresco, tempera, watercolor, oil, or acrylic. Woodcut, intaglio,
lithograph, serigraph are all examples of printmaking media. Some works of
art are three dimensional and could be made out of marble, bronze, wood or
steel. Technology has produced many alternative materials which are used by
artists of today. Crafts, which can be described as works of art which have
a utilitarian purpose could include furniture, jewelry, pottery and fiber
arts and be created out of a wide variety of materials.
Design is the structure of art. After
centuries of looking at art, art historians have concluded that certain
aspects of good art are repeated. These features are called DESIGN.
This
structure can be broken down into the vocabulary of the artist (ELEMENTS)
and the grammar (PRINCIPLES) of art. The visual language of art is no
different than any other language - it needs structure in order to be
understood. Elements of art include line, shape, color, form, texture,
space and value. Principles include balance, contrast, movement, unity,
emphasis, pattern and rhythm.
As art historians continually look for a
common denominator in order to analyze works of art, they loosely group
works of art into two categories of expression: a completely EMOTIONAL
APPROACH with no concern for design and reason or a completely INTELLECTUAL
APPROACH with no room for feelings or emotions. Works of art can be anywhere
in between these two extremes.
Art from certain periods usually share
similar characteristics. Probably the best examples of an intellectual
approach would be works from classical Greek or Renaissance times. These
works would share characteristics such as emphasis on design and
composition; a cool, analytical approach to the subject; use of rules; an
emphasis on neat, clean arrangements and proper proportions; and an
excellence of realistic drawing.
Art from the Middle Ages and from the
Romantic period would be considered emotional. This work might share the
following characteristics; an active and colorful interpretation of the
subject; the required participation of the viewer; violent movement;
distortion; bright and vivid colors; a strong interest in nature; and a
personal approach to the subject.
In order to truly understand and appreciate
art, a study of STYLE is important. The artwork of a particular artist is
recognized by that artist's INDIVIDUAL STYLE. El Greco's work is a good
example of an artist's work that is easily recognizable. But an artist
style can change over that artist's lifetime. A good example would be Pablo
Picasso's work. He went through many different periods during his long
life.
Style can also refer to a PERIOD in history
such as Ancient Egypt. Egyptian art was governed by a rigid set of rules
which created similar images for 2,500 years. Another example is the
Baroque Period with it's wide expanses of sky and small insignificant
figures.
Sometimes a particular country can establish
a NATIONAL/REGIONAL STYLE. Probably the best example of this would be the
work of Diego Rivera. His style is rooted in ancient Mexican styles and was
used as a foundation for generations of future artists.
Another type of style is TECHNIQUE STYLE.
An example is trompe l' oel (fool the eye) in which artists paint so
realistically that the viewer can easily be fooled into believing that it is
real. An offshoot of this is the Super Realism of the 20th century.
The study of art can be fascinating. Much
can be learned from examining works from the past. As a knowledge of the
finer characteristics of art is learned, a true appreciation of what is
being created today will follow. A quote by Aristotle refers to the
timeless value of art "All art consists of bringing something into
existence." We are fortunate to live in an area where artists are doing just
that.
information adapted from "Discovering Art History" by Gerald Brommer
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