VISUAL ARTS

&
APPRECIATION

Ar. M. Sri Lakshmi

School of Architecture, Hindustan University
What is
 Art is one of the most evident, widely
recognized and distinctive manifestations of
human creativity
Art is the exercise of creating (producing,
generating, organizing) objects, activities,
experiences and/or concepts that stimulate
an/or are appealing to our senses, emotions
and our intellect. It arouses out attention and
sustains our interest.
Art is a tangible entity: a painting, sculpture,
photograph, dance, poem, or play which is
uniquely human and tied directly to culture.
The visual arts include mediums such as
drawing, painting, sculpture, architecture,
photography, film, and printmaking. Many of
these pieces of art are created to stimulate us
through a visual experience.
As an expressive medium,
it allows us to
experience joy, sorrow,
confusion, and clarity. It
gives voice to ideas and
feelings, connects us to
the past, reflects the
present, and anticipates
the future.
Is this art? Why or why not?
A B
Which among this is art?
A B
Which among this is art?
A B
Which among this is art?
A B
Art is a diverse range of human activities in creating visual,
auditory or performing artifacts (artworks), expressing the
author's imaginative or technical skill, intended to be
appreciated for their beauty or emotional power.
 Although concept of art defies definition, how we define art is
in essence a question of agreement. In this respect, we can
look again to the dictionarys definition for an understanding
of exactly what to look for when we proclaim something as
art.
The dictionary defines art as The conscious use of skill and
creative imagination especially in the production of
aesthetic objects.
What role does art perform in a
society?
 The oldest purpose of art is as a vehicle
for religious ritual.
From the prehistoric cave paintings of France,
to the Sistine Chapel, art has served religion.
For centuries the Church was the primary
patron of artists.
In traditional societies even today, the primary
purpose of art is religious or ceremonial.
Commemoration of an important event
 Commemoration of an important
event
Art may also serve as a commemoration of an
important event.
The event may be of major historical importance,
such as the coronation of Josephine by Napoleon
as recorded by the artist David, or it may be
important only to the participants, like the image
of a wedding or a baptism.
 As propaganda or social commentary
Art has often served as propaganda or social
commentary.
Propaganda images are attempts to persuade us
toward particular viewpoints or actions promoted by
public or private institutions such as political parties,
governments, or religious groups.
. The propaganda purpose may be one we approve
of, such as World War II efforts to get women behind
the war effort, as epitomized in Norman Rockwell's
Rosie the Riveter. It might also be a purpose we
disapprove of. In either case, the power of visual
images has frequently been used to persuade masses
of people to accept beliefs, take action, or follow
leaders. The artist as social commentator may simply
make us more aware of the human condition as
he/she perceives it, without suggesting particular
action.
 Creating beauty
Yet the idea of beauty, like that of truth, has been challenged
in the modern era. At one time, the artist was expected to
portray perfection-- lofty and noble ideals of beauty. Yet as
society became more industrialized and democratic, many
thoughtful people began to broaden their notions of what
could be beautiful. For example, Rembrandt could celebrate
the tactile quality of paint and color in his picture of a side of
beef, and Courbet and Millet could see beauty in the life of
ordinary peasants.
 Storytelling
This was a common device of
religious art of the Middle ages
where sequences of panels were
used to tell stories from the
Scriptures or lives of saints. It is also
the great gift of Norman Rockwell,
who had the ability to tell powerful
and subtle stories about ordinary
people and events, in just one
picture. A picture is truly worth a
thousand words.
 Intense emotion
The expressive power of art can
be seen in literal ways in the
Guernica
capturing of facial expression and Pablo Picasso 1937
body language. Certain religious
art, and the works of
expressionists such as Munch are
charged with powerful emotions.
Picasso, in works such as
Guernica (also an example of
powerful social commentary and
storytelling) is able to
communicate intense emotions.
Depicts the Bombing of Spain by Nazi Germany
This is accomplished variously by during the Spanish Civil War
use of dramatic or exaggerated
color, light, form, and/or other
elements.
 What is the need of art?
Previously art was much more than just a pastime or a way of
expressing feelings. Long before there is any proof of a
comprehensive verbal language, art was a key form of
communication. Symbols and drawings would not only
represent the life and environment around but would later
become the keystone of understanding history.
The artwork of previous generations give stunning detail on
how the great kings and common workers of past civilizations
lived their lives.
While many think of art as a peaceful expression it is often
expressed with all the facets of a person's emotions and
personality.
 Art can be violent and war like, as expressed on the stone of
monuments built by conquering nations or the dance of
ancient warriors.
It can also be historical and with religious significance, such as
da Vinci's "The Last Supper". Each of these works help tell us
the story of our own past.
As it probably was in the past, art has a monumental impact
on society and culture. A simple form of expression has the
ability to empower hundreds of thousands of people, topple
governments and render armies passive. Art helps invoke
change.
What may be the most important aspect of art is its ability to
dictate the limits of the future of humanity. Art, like many
things in life, is something that can't be defined simply. Its
origin is unknown. No one has yet figured out why or how the
human brain is able to create or comprehend the impact of
art. The goal to understand this is an art itself.
We need art because it makes us complete human
beings.
We need art to have a full range of expression.
We need art to keep us healthy.
We need art to understand and to share our
individual and shared history.
We need art to keep us connected.
We as viewers gain knowledge of ourselves when
encountering a painting, sculpture, photograph,
dance, poem, or play. Art is reflective.
 The Purpose or Functions of Art
o PERSONAL FUNCTION:
The artist tries to express his or her
personal feelings through the
artwork. o SOCIAL FUNCTION:
Art that conveys a sense of family,
community, or civilization. Cultural.
o SPIRITUAL FUNCTION:
An artist may create a work to support
the Religious or Spiritual beliefs of a
culture. o PHYSICAL FUNCTION:
Functional Art: objects use in everyday life such
as architecture, jewelry, pottery, furniture, etc.
o EDUCATIONAL FUNCTION:
Art that has been used throughout time as a way
to pass on historical facts. Teaches about cultures.
 SUBJECTIVE & OBJECTIVE PERSPECTIVES

There are two ways of looking at art: subjectively and

objectively.
From this perspective, the subjective(knowledge residing in
the emotions and thoughts of the viewer) almost
completely dominates our way of looking at art.
In the arts, its especially important to begin to develop an
informed or objective opinion rather than just an
instinctual reaction. An objective view is one that focuses
on the objects physical characteristics as the main source
of information. This does not mean that our subjective
feelings about a work will be invalidated or removed, in fact
we will find that the more informed we become, the more
artwork will affect us emotionally and intellectually.
COMPONENTS OF AN ART
 Elements of art
The elements of art are the building blocks of all art. Every
piece of art ever created includes one or more of these
elements.
Seven elements of art are:
1. Line
2. Color
3. Shape
4. Form
5. Value
6. Space
7. Texture
 Line is an element of art.
It is a mark made upon a surface. In order to be a
line, the mark's length must be longer than its width.
There are many different types of lines, including
horizontal, vertical, wavy, diagonal, and more.
 In the first image, Leonardo da Vinci used a
soft, sensitive soft line to create a graceful
image.
However, the artist Willem DeKooning has
created a very different feeling by using a
heavy, gestural line.
The woman's face in the third image is
created with a mechanical line creating an
emotionally-detached feeling.
Although the subject matter is the same in
all three works, the differences in line
quality have created works with very
different impact.
How you use line is one of the most
important decisions to be made in creating
a work of art
 Shapes are areas of enclosed
space that are two-dimensional.
Shapes are flat, and can only have
height and width.
The two different categories of
shapes are: geometric and
organic.
1. Geometric shapes are
mathematical, like circles and
squares.
Henri Matisse,
2. Organic shapes come from Lescargot,1953
nature, like clouds and leaves.
Joan Miro, Harlequins Carnival, 1925
 Space deals with the illusion of depth on a flat
surface. You might overlap shapes to make some
look closer, or make objects in the distance smaller
to look like they are farther away. The element of
space can be used in three-dimensional art as well.
Space-The emptiness or area between, around, above, below,
or within objects. Positive space is the object and negative
space is around the object

Keith Haring
Positive & Negative Space
around a shape(s)
Positive - area that objects occupy
Negative - area around objects
 Basic Rules of Space to Create Depth

1. Overlapping
2. Position
Objects rise on the picture plane
3. Size
Objects gets smaller as they rise on the picture plane
4. Converging Lines (Linear Perspective)
Converging lines meet at the vanishing point on the
horizon line
5. Aerial Perspective
Atmospheric effects on color, value and detail
 Color is what we see when light reflects off of an
object. These reflected wavelengths turn into a range
of colors on a spectrum, like red, blue, and yellow.
Colour- Derived from reflected light

Henri Matisse, The Joy of Life

Marques Vickers
Colour: primary, secondary and tertiary
colours
Complimentary colours: Two colours directly
opposite one another on the colour wheel
Value: colour is described in terms of value,
which is the lightness or darkness of colour,or
the relative amount of white or black in a hue.
Tint: white added in increments to any of the
colours results in lighter values of the
hue called tints. white or grey is added.
F.e. pink is a tint of the primary colour red.
Shade: The addition of black or grey to a hue
results in darker values of the hue, called
shade. A shade of red is burgundy or maroon
Saturation: quality or brightness or dullness
of the hue
 Warm Colours
Reds, Pinks, Yellows, Oranges
Think fire

Cool Colours
Greens, Blues, Purples
Think water
Achromatic

No color

Using only black,

white and greys
to create art QuickTime and a
decomp re sso r
are need ed to see this picture.
Monochromatic

Using ONE color,

and various values of that
color to create art
Value refers to the lightness and darkness of areas in an artwork.
White is the lightest value, while black is the darkest.

Rembrandt,
The Night
Watch, 1642
 Form is the three-dimensional version of a shape.
An artwork that has the art element of form can be
viewed from different angles, and is not flat. Forms
have height and width, but they also have depth.
Forms can be hard-edged like a cube or more free-
flowing.
Form- Objects having three dimensions. Forms are either
geometric or organic.

David Smith, Cubi IX, 1964

Georgia O'Keefe, Jack-in-the pulpit No. 5
 Texture is the way something feels, or looks like it
might feel, in an artwork.
Texture can be real or implied.
Real texture is something you can actually feel with
your fingers if you touch the art.
Implied texture only visually looks like it feels a
certain way. If you ran your fingers over implied
texture, it wouldn't feel any different.
Texture- how things feel or look as if they might feel if they
were touched. Texture is perceived by touch and sight.
 PRINCIPLES OF ART
What we do with the elements of design
Proportion
Variety
Balance
Movement
Rhythm/Repetition/Pattern
Emphasis
Unity/Harmony
Contrast
 They are used to organize the basic elements of
art: line, shape, form, value, color, space, and
texture. They are sometimes also referred to
as principles of organization or design principles.
Another important element in creating art
is composition. A composition is the placement
or arrangement of visual elements in an artwork,
and art principles help figure out the
arrangements of those visual elements.
Principles
Balance
Achieved through a sense of stability, implied by the weight of an object
Proportion
The ratio of one element to another
Emphasis
Created when one element stands out more than any other
Variety
When different elements are used to create visual interest
Movement
The visual flow of an artwork
Rhythm
A sense of movement created by the repetition of visual units
Harmony
The quality of how the elements are working together in a composition.
 Formal:
occurs when equal or very

Types of Balance
similar elements are placed on
opposite sides of a central axis

Symmetrical:
two sides identical; mirror
image

Radial:
when the elements of a design
come out from a central point

Asymmetry (Informal):
balance of unlike elements but
have equal visual weight or eye
attraction.
 Symmetrical Balance

Egyptian Antique

Diego Rivera, Flower Day,

1925
 Asymmetrical Balance

Frida Kahlo, Frida and Diego

Rivera, 1931 Bernini, David, 1623
Radial Balance

MC Escher
 Variety-a principle of art that is concerned with contrast
or difference.

Robert Rauschenberg, Trophy II, Edward Weston, Pepper no.

1960 30, 1930
Frank Stella
 Rhythm-indicates movement by the repetition of elements.
Visual rhythm is perceived through the eyes and is created by
repeating positive spaces separated by negative spaces.
There are five types of rhythm: random, regular, alternating,
flowing, and progressive.

Flowing-created by repeating
Regular- identical motifs & wavy lines.
equal space
Progressive-a
change in the
motif each time
the motif is
repeated.
Alternating-changing
spaces or position of the
motif

Random- same motif but in no

apparent order
Emphasis-principle of design that makes one part of a work
dominant over the other parts. The element that is noticed first
is called the dominant the elements notices later are called
subordinate.

Roy Lichtenstein
Seymour Lipton
Unity-The quality of wholeness or oneness that achieved
through the effective use of the elements and principles of art.
Unity is created by simplicity, repetition, proximity, and
continuation.

Degas
 Ways to establish UNITY

1. Proximity cluster objects closer together.

2. Overlapping
3. Repetition of an element style (any of the
elements or brush stroke style)
4. Line up with an edge or contour
5. Developing and using a consistent style
(same as # 3)
6. Feeling of space receding
 MOVEMENT
How your eye moves throughout the artwork
 Ways to Create Movement

Overlap objects
Aligning to edges to produce a feeling of continuous movement
Strong sense of form
Create a path between objects
Emphasizing/Exaggerating elements
Placing center line (horizon line) high in the picture
Blurry outlines
Multiple images
 Ways to establish CONTRAST

1. Large vs. small

2. Warm vs. cool
3. Textured vs. smooth
4. Geometric vs. organic
5. Hard edges vs. soft edges
6. Pattern vs. no pattern
7. Complementary colors
8. Dark vs. light
Proportion-Principle of art concerned with size
relationships of one part to another.

Albrecht Durer, Virgin and Child

with Saint Anne, 1519
Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van
Bruggen, Spoonbridge and Cherry,
1985-88
 Components of Art
Subject: the depicted object(s)
The image viewers can easily identify in a work of art.
Non-Objective Art has no recognizable subject matter.
A work is often identified by its subject: a landscape painting, a sculpture
of a young woman, etc.
Form: visual organization
Formal distinctions include a works size, medium (painting, drawing,
sculpture or other kind of work) ,styles, techniques and descriptions of
compositional elements such as the lines, shapes and colors involved.
The way the Principles of Design are used to organize the elements of
Design
Content: impact or meaning
The message the work communicates.
Content include any visual clues that provide an understanding of what
the art tells us.
 A horse's head is the subject of both works in the previous slide.
However, the artists have used form very differently. Picasso's
painting (left) has gestural lines, high value contrast, and
exaggerated proportions to create a highly emotional content.
In the picture at the right,the harmonious rhythms and more
naturalistic proportions in the ancient Greek sculpture create a
very different feeling.
The differences in content were created by the differences in form,
not the subject matter.
The decisions we make regarding form (type of line and shape;
selection of value and color; size of the work; type of balance, etc.)
shape the work's impact and meaning.
 The Old Guitarist- PABLO PICASSO

Picasso painted The Old Guitarist during his

Blue Period. The Blue Period began as an
inspiration of his travels through Spain, but
was mostly influenced by the suicide of his
friend in 1901. During this time, Picasso
painted mostly in blues and greens and very
somber subjects. Most of his paintings show
poverty, beggars, the frail and the old. The
overall feeling of his work at this time was
sadness and loneliness.
Artist Pablo Picasso
Year 190304
Medium Oil on panel
Dimensions 122.9 cm 82.6 cm
(48.4 in 32.5 in)
Location Art Institute of
Chicago
 Description

The Old Guitarist was painted in late

1903 or early 1904. The painting
depicts an old, blind man and
musician, slouched down and
holding a guitar. The man's eyes are
closed and his mouth is slightly open
He is thin, his bones are showing and
he is wearing just a simple dress. The
man plays the guitar, unaware of his
blindness and poverty. There is an
overall sense of depression and
tragedy.
 ANALYSIS & INTERPRETATION
The colors of the painting are cold shades of blue, and there is a
flatness to the painting. The only break in color is the brown guitar.
Like other paintings at this time, the man is assumed to be poor. He
appears to be close to death and holds to his guitar as if it's a life
preserver, the only thing keeping him alive. The guitar offers his only
hope, but his hold is not strong. He is alone, and he holds the guitar
as his only company. In a way, the guitar is his living, but his poverty
shows that he is not successful with it.
During the Blue Period, Picasso struggled financially. His paintings did
not sell, probably due to the material. As mentioned before, his
friend had died, and he was depressed, alone and poor, much like the
man in the painting. Just like the man is presumably not successful
with his music, Picasso was not successful in his painting. Picasso
relied on the public to feed him. The guitarist also relied on people to
listen to his music to survive, but he is not doing so.
 Before you can truly experience art
you must first learn to Perceive .
This means using your senses to analyze and interpret a piece of artwork in
order to understand it.

Perception is to truly SEEING

what the art is Communicating.

 Concept of beauty and aesthetics
Aesthetics is the philosophical argument about the nature of
beauty.
A particular taste for, or approach to, what is pleasing to the
senses--especially sight
Its an idea central to any exploration of art. Aesthetics deals with
notions of taste, cultural conventions ideas of art being good and
bad based on specific cultural information and beliefs and the
judgments we make based on our perceptions.
As deep as visual art is embedded in the fabric of our lives, it still is
the source of controversy and irony.
It thrives on common experience yet contradicts ideas of ourselves.
Art is part of the culture its created in, but can reflect many cultures
at once.
From where you and I stand today art has become probably more
complex than ever in its use of imagery, mediums and meanings.
We need a way to access the visual information of our society, of
past cultures, and cultures not known to us to have a way to
understand what we are looking at.
Aesthetics in this definition is something that appeals to the
senses. Someones aesthetic has to do with his or her
perceptual or artistic judgment.

It comes from the root word:

Aesthesia: the ability to feel or
perceive; being awake and
able to feel senses.

The opposite is:

Anesthesia: the inability to feel
or perceive; to be asleep or
non-feeling.
We make informal
aesthetic choices every
day.
From what we wear . . .
to the things we
buy: books,
music, and
objects for our
homes.
The aesthetic choices we make influence many
parts of our lives.

We all have a personal aesthetic

(preferences and tastes based on what we see).
How would you
describe the aesthetic
quality of your
classroom at school?
 Aesthetic Philosophies of Art
Before you can judge an artwork, you will need to determine what
the goal of the artwork is.
This is how an art critic determines if an artwork is good or bad.
The chief goal of aesthetics is to answer the question What is
successful art? In their search for an answer, aestheticians have
put forth different views on what is important in a work of art.
These ideas, or schools of thought, on what to look for in works of
art are called aesthetic theories.
There are three aesthetic theories that most artwork fits into, and
they all have different goals:
Imitationalism
Formalism
Emotionalism
 Aesthetic Philosophies of Art
Art as Imitationalism : Literal Qualities
The work looks realistic; it imitates an object or material thing
The essence of art is to picture or portray reality. Good art mirrors the world,
imitating nature or some ideal form.

Martin Johnson Heade,

Thunderstorm at the
Shore, c. 1870-1871, oil
on paper mounted on
canvas attached to panel
15 3/4 x 23 3/4 in.
Carnegie Museum of Art,
Howard N. Eavenson
Memorial Fund
 Aesthetic Philosophies of Art
Art as Formalism :Design Qualities
The essence of art is significant form - lines, shapes, colors, and other
formal properties of the work (elements and principles)
Places emphasis on the design qualities, the arrangement of the elements
of art using the principles of design.
Representation, expression, and other subject matter are irrelevant. Good
art uses formal elements to trigger an aesthetic emotion in sensitive
observers.

Donald Judd, Untitled,

1974,
Stainless steel and
Plexiglas
8 x 194 1/2 x 14 in.
Carnegie Museum of Art,
Purchase: gift of Mr. and
Mrs. Charles Denby, by
exchange
 Aesthetic Philosophies of Art
Art as Emotionalism :Expressive Qualities
The essence of art is expression of the inner
emotions, feelings, moods, and mental
states of the artist.
Good art effectively and sincerely brings
these inner states to an external
objectification.
Many artworks depict characters showing
emotions. However, an artwork would not
usually be classified as emotionalist unless
the emotion being expressed was the
primary purpose of the artwork.
This ancient Greek sculpture was designed
with the Golden Ratio throughout. The
following calculations each equal close to
1.61803399. consequently the face is
pleasing to the eye.
Measured in mm.
Top of the head to the chin width of
the head
Top of the head to pupil pupil to lips
nose tip to chin lips to chin
nose tip to chin pupil to nose tip
width of nose nose tip to lips
outside distance between eyes
hairline to pupil
length of lips nose tips to lips
Make an objective judgment: Based on the goal of the artwork
(its aesthetic theory). Determine whether the artwork is:
Imitationalism: Criteria = Realistic appearance of
subject matter
Formalism: Criteria = Use of elements and
principles of design
Emotionalism: Criteria = Emotional response
elicited by the artwork
Make a subjective/personal judgment: Do you like the
artwork? Why or why not?
Perception

The word, perception, comes from the Latin word:

Capere - to take Per (the prefix) - completely

1.The process, act, or faculty of perceiving: OBSERVATION

2.The effect or product of perceiving: CONCEPT
3. Psychol. a. Recognition and interpretation of sensory stimuli
based chiefly on memory.

In psychology and the cognitive sciences, perception is the

process of acquiring, interpreting, selecting, and organizing
sensory information.
 Perception and Visual Awareness
Visual information images from media and the environment around us dominates our perception.
Our eyes literally navigate us through a visual landscape all our lives, and we all make decisions based
on how and what we see.
Separating the subjective and objective ways we see helps us become more visually aware of our
surroundings.
Scientifically, the process of seeing is the result of light passing through the lens in our eye, then
concentrating it on the retina at the back of the eye.
The retina has nerve cells that act like sponges, soaking up the information and sending it to the visual
cortex of our brain.
Here the light is converted to an image that we can perceive the truth as we understand it to be.
We are exposed to so much visual information every day, especially with the advent of mass media, that
its hard to process all of it into specific meaning.
Being visually aware is more complicated than just the physical act of seeing because our perceptions are
influenced by exterior factors, including our own prejudices, desires and ideas about what the truth
really is.
Moreover, cultural ties to perception are many. For example, lets look at three images that share one
particular element; that of raised arms, and see how we perceive each one according to what we know
about them.
there is a difference between looking and seeing. To look is to glance back and forth, aware of surface
qualities in the things that come into our line of sight. To see is more about comprehending
Its when we stop to contemplate what we see the view of the mountain mentioned above, a portrait or
simple visual composition that catches our eye that we make reference to an aesthetic perception
 IDEAS OF PERCEPTION & VISUAL AWARENESS
Images from media and the environment around us dominate our perception.
Our eyes literally navigate us through a visual landscape all our lives, and we all
make decisions based on how and what we see. Separating the subjective and
objective ways we see helps us become more visually aware of our
surroundings. Scientifically, the process of seeing is the result of light passing
through the lens in our eye, then concentrating it on the retina at the back of the
eye. The retina has nerve cells that act like sponges, soaking up the information
and sending it to the visual cortex of our brain. Here the light is converted to an
image that we can perceive the truth as we understand it to be. We are
exposed to so much visual information every day, especially with the advent of
mass media, that its hard to process all of it into specific meaning. Being visually
aware is more complicated than just the physical act of seeing because our
perceptions are influenced by exterior factors, including our own prejudices,
desires and ideas about what the truth really is. Moreover, cultural ties to
perception are many. For example, lets look at two images that share one
particular element; that of raised arms, and see how we perceive each one
according to what we know about them.
 Art is a resource for questioning our perceptions about how objects and ideas present themselves.
The Belgian artist Rene Magritte (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. used his easel as
a soapbox to confront the viewer with confounding visual information. Click the hyperlink to watch
a short video where Magritte considers language and perception (Links to an external site.)Links to
an external site..
As was mentioned at the beginning of this module, there is a difference
between looking and seeing. To look is to glance back and forth, aware of surface qualities in the
things that come into our line of sight. To see is more about comprehending. After all, when we say
I see we really mean that we understand. Seeing goes beyond appearances. So, as we confront
the huge amounts of visual information coming at us we start to make choices about what we keep
and what we edit out. We concentrate on that which has the most meaning for us: a street sign that
helps us get home, a view of the mountains that lets us enjoy a part of natures spectacle, or the
computer screen that allows us to gather information, whether its reading the content in this
course or catching up on the days news or emails. Our gaze becomes more specific, and with that
comes specific meaning. At this point what we see becomes part of what we know. Its when we
stop to contemplate what we see the view of the mountain mentioned above, a portrait or simple
visual composition that catches our eye that we make reference to an aesthetic perception. That
is, when something is considered for its visual properties alone, and their relation to our ideas of
what is beautiful, as a vehicle for meaning.
 No matter how visually aware we are, visual clues alone hinder our
ability to fully comprehend what we see. Words, either spoken or
read as text, help fill in the blanks to understanding. They provide
a context; a historical background, religious function or other
cultural significance to the art we are looking at. We ask others for
information about it, or find it ourselves, to help understand the
meaning. In a museum or gallery it may be wall text that provides
this link, or a source text, website or someone knowledgeable
about the art.
Now that we have a basic understanding of what art is, the cultural
roles it plays and the different categories and styles it can belong to
we can begin to explore more specific physical and conceptual
issues surrounding it. Lets start with the next module.
 https://learn.canvas.net/courses/24/pages/m2-artistic-training-methods-and-cultural-
considerations?module_item_id=44392

Journal Prompt #3: Investigating Art

Using the external links as a resource, find a work of art to answer the following questions. The
artwork can be from any culture or time period.
Provide the title, date and artists name. Make sure your source has all of this information.
What medium is used (painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, photograph or digital image,
video, installation or performance)?
Give a short description of the work:
Is it realistic, abstract or non-objective?
What does it depict? What colors are used?
What category does it fall under?
What artistic role does it play? Does it take on more than one role? Review the different roles
discussed in Module 1 to help you decide.
Journal Prompt #4: Style, Form & Content
Artistic styles change over time and throughout cultures, yet some forms continue to be repeated
despite the changes. Examining these forms helps in finding the meaning.
View the three works of art from the hyperlinks below. They are all from different time periods and
cultures. Notice how each one has a repeated formal element similar to the others.
What style and category does each work belong to?
Do these similarities have ties to a common meaning between all of them, or do you think the
meaning for each work is separate from the others? Why or why not?
What cultural, religious or other considerations do you take into account in defining your answers?
Art is something that makes one think,
whether inside or outside of ones learned
parameters. This can arrive from any of the
arts as art is expression.
What is art?
What are different types of art?
How does art influence society?
Why is art important?
What sort of messages do art have?
 What role does art perform in a
society?
A traditional role of visual art is to describe ourselves and our
surroundings. Some of the earliest artworks discovered are
drawings and paintings of humans and wild animals on walls deep
within prehistoric caves. One particular image is a handprint: a
universal symbol of human communication.
Enhancing our world
Art plays a role in our everyday lives. Art's role in enhancing our
lives is more utilitarian than others. It includes textiles and product
design, decorative embellishments to the items we use everyday
and all the aesthetic considerations that create a more comfortable,
expressive environment.
What does an artist give back to society? They give voice to speak
of those things that language cannot describe, and an experience
that pays attention to aesthetics and an interest in the world
 As propaganda or social commentary
Art has often served as propaganda or social commentary.
Propaganda images are attempts to persuade us toward particular
viewpoints or actions promoted by public or private institutions such as
political parties, lobbyists, governments, or religious groups.
The propaganda purpose may be one we approve of, such as World War II
efforts to get women behind the war effort, as epitomized in Norman
Rockwell's Rosie the Riveter.
It might also be a purpose we disapprove of. In either case, the power of
visual images has frequently been used to persuade masses of people to
accept beliefs, take action, or follow leaders. The artist as social
commentator may simply make us more aware of the human condition as
he/she perceives it, without suggesting particular action.
All societies engage in propaganda, but here are some links to propaganda
art created in China, and by the Allies during World War I. and during
World War II.
Inspiration from natural elements
 Andy Goldsworthy

Inspiration comes from

natural materials
found in the
environment
 IDEAS OF PERCEPTION & VISUAL
AWARENESS
Images from media and the environment around us dominate our perception.
Our eyes literally navigate us through a visual landscape all our lives, and we all
make decisions based on how and what we see. Separating the subjective and
objective ways we see helps us become more visually aware of our
surroundings. Scientifically, the process of seeing is the result of light passing
through the lens in our eye, then concentrating it on the retina at the back of the
eye. The retina has nerve cells that act like sponges, soaking up the information
and sending it to the visual cortex of our brain. Here the light is converted to an
image that we can perceive the truth as we understand it to be. We are
exposed to so much visual information every day, especially with the advent of
mass media, that its hard to process all of it into specific meaning. Being visually
aware is more complicated than just the physical act of seeing because our
perceptions are influenced by exterior factors, including our own prejudices,
desires and ideas about what the truth really is. Moreover, cultural ties to
perception are many. For example, lets look at two images that share one
particular element; that of raised arms, and see how we perceive each one
according to what we know about them.
 Elements found in nature

http://www.thelightwurx.com/utah-web-
design/various-elements-nature-found-
design/

https://artdocents.wordpress.com/2012/04/2
4/andy-goldsworthy-art-in-nature-using-
found-and-natural-objects/
 Art may be simply a means
of recording of visual data-- telling
the "truth" about what we see.
After the Renaissance, artists
became preoccupied with new
ways of capturing reality such as
the use of linear perspective, and
the realism possible through the
use of oil painting technique. In
time, artists
like Courbet and Cezanne (and
many who followed them) began
in various ways to challenge the
basic idea of what it is for an
image to be true and real.

 Art can also be seen as pleasing the eye- creating

beauty. Yet the idea of beauty, like that of truth, has
been challenged in the modern era. At one time, the
artist was expected to portray perfection-- lofty and
noble ideals of beauty. Yet as society became more
industrialized and democratic, many thoughtful people
began to broaden their notions of what could be
beautiful. For example, Rembrandt could celebrate the
tactile quality of paint and color in his picture of a side
of beef, and Courbet and Millet could see beauty in the
life of ordinary peasants.

 Art is also a powerful means

of storytelling. This was a common
device of religious art of the Middle
ages, for example in the frescoes by
Giotto from the Church of San
Francesco de Assisi , where
sequences of panels were used to tell
stories from the Scriptures or lives of
saints. It is also the great gift of
Norman Rockwell, who had the
ability to tell powerful and subtle
stories about ordinary people and
events, in just one picture. A picture
is truly worth a thousand words.
 Art can also convey intense emotion.The
expressive power of art can be seen in
literal ways in the capturing of facial
expression and body language. Certain
religious art, and the works of
expressionists such
as Munch or Kirchner are charged with
powerful emotions. Picasso, in works such
as Guernica (also an example of powerful
social commentary and storytelling) is
able to communicate intense emotions.
This is accomplished variously by use of
dramatic or exaggerated color, light, form,
and/or other elements.
 Elements of art
The elements of art are the building blocks of all art.
Every piece of art ever created includes one or more of
these elements.
These elements are:
1. Line
2. Color
3. Shape
4. Form
5. Value
6. Space
7. Texture
 A line is a mark made on a surface.
A shape is a flat area of enclosed space.
Space is the illusion of depth on a flat surface.
Value is the lightness or darkness of objects in an
artwork.
Form means the artwork has height, width, and depth.
Texture is the way the art feels, or looks like it would
feel.
Color is the reflection of light on a surface.
http://www.thelightwurx.com/utah-web-design/various-
elements-nature-found-design/
 Principles of art
Principles of art include:
balance
proportion
emphasis
variety
movement
rhythm
harmony
 They are used to organize the basic elements of
art: line, shape, form, value, color, space, and
texture. They are sometimes also referred to
as principles of organization or design principles.
Another important element in creating art
is composition. A composition is the placement
or arrangement of visual elements in an artwork,
and art principles help figure out the
arrangements of those visual elements.