A World of Art
Some Truths About Art 1. There is no agreed-upon definition of art.
2. Art does not necessarily have to be beautiful or at least it doesn t have to beautiful in a traditional sense of the word. Beauty can mean a lot of different things in art! Basil Wolvington, comic illustration circa 1950s Pablo Picasso, Les Demoiselles d Avignon, 1906-7
3. Art can be created for any number of reasons, including (but not limited to): politics, spirituality, self expression, and cultural identity. Sten Lex, Piekary, Katowice, Poland. 2013, paper stencil mural
The Philosophies About Art: Many philosophers have argued that art serves no function, that it exists for its own sake. Some have asserted that the essence of art transcends the human occupation with usefulness. Others have held that in trying to analyze art too closely, one loses sight of its beauty and wonderment.
Understanding and appreciating art The questions to ask Why was this created? What is its purpose?
Why do artists make art? What do all artists have in common? Fundamental desire to create Critical thinking and creative problem solving Energy, Ingenuity, Courage of Conviction
Four Roles of an Artist
Four Roles of an Artist 1) INNOVATION: Artists help us see the world in new and innovative ways 2) A VISUAL RECORD: Artists make a visual record of the people, places, and events of their time and place 3) BEAUTY: Artists make functional objects and structures (such as buildings) more pleasurable and elevate them or imbue them with meaning 4) TRANSCEND TIME AND PLACE: Artists give form to the immaterial: hidden or universal truths, spiritual forces, personal feelings. Art that speaks to the ages.
1) Innovation: Artists help us see the world in new and innovative ways Pablo Picasso, Les Demoiselles d Avignon, 1906-7
2) A Visual Record: Artists make a visual record of the people, places, and events of their time and place Vik Muniz, from the series Wasteland, (2012)
3) Beauty: Artists make functional objects and structures (such as buildings) more pleasurable and elevate them or imbue them with meaning Frank Gehry, Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, Spain (1997)
4) Transcend Time and Place: Artists give form to the immaterial: hidden or universal truths, spiritual forces, personal feelings Yayoi Kusama, You Who Are Getting Obliterated in the Dancing Swarm of Fireflies, 2005
Active Seeing The process of seeing is in-and-of itself very complex: it is inherently creative because your eyes edit information for your brain. We develop filters for what we see over the course of a lifetime we condition ourselves to find information that we expect. Active seeing involves understanding our filters and learning to see more. Look closer at often familiar imagery.
Categorizing Art We can organize most art thematically or conceptually into six categories: Politics, and Community Spirituality The Passage of Time/Storytelling Beauty Gender/Identity Science and the Environment
ART, POLITICS, AND COMMUNITY Barbara Kruger, We don t need another hero (1987)
Marine Corps War Memorial (also called the Iwo Jima Memorial) Felix de Weldon, Rosslyn, Virginia,1954
EUGÈNE DELACROIX. Liberty Leading the People (1830). Oil on canvas. 8 6 x 10 10.
SUZANNE LACY AND LESLIE LABOWITZ. In Mourning and in Rage (1977). Performance at Los Angeles City Hall.
BETYE SAAR. The Liberation of Aunt Jemima (1972). Mixed media. 11-3 4 x 8 x 2-3 4.
ART AND SPIRITUAL BELIEF
The Incredulity of Saint Thomas, Caravaggio, 1601-02; Oil on canvas, 42 1/8 x 57 1/2
North Wind Mask (Negafok) (early 20th century) Wood, paint, feathers. 45 1/4 x21 3/8 x 17 7/8.
Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque), Istanbul, Turkey. 1609-1616
ART AND THE PASSAGE OF TIME 120-50 B.C.E, Laocoon and his sons
ANDY WARHOL. Four Marilyns (1962). Synthetic polymer paint and silkscreen ink on canvas. 30" 23⅞".
Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Untitled (Perfect Lovers), 1991
ART AND BEAUTY SANDRO BOTTICELLI. The Birth of Venus (1486). Detail.
ART, GENDER, AND IDENTITY Tania Bruguera, Displacement, (1998-99)
FRIDA KAHLO. Diego in My Thoughts (Diego y yo) (1949). Oil on canvas, mounted on Masonite. 24 x 36.
Renee Cox, Yo Mama s Last Supper, 1999
ART, SCIENCE, AND OUR ENVIRONMENT
Patrick Renner, Funnel Tunnel, Houston Texas 2013
DALE CHIHULY. Fioridi Como (1998). 70 x 30 x 12.
Andy Goldsworthy, part of the series Melt
I paint because I am afraid to be dead while still alive. Marlene Dumas What does this say about Marlene s reason for making art? What is her motivation? What would it mean to be dead while still alive?
For me, music and art just crap out when they don t step across into the non-polite spaces and outlaw territory. The job of an artist is to discover laws to violate that haven t been made yet. Tony Conrad Which of the four roles of an artist best fits Tony s description of an artist s job? Why? see the world in new and innovative ways make a visual record of the people, places, and events of their time and place make functional objects and structures more pleasurable and elevate them or imbue them with meaning give form to the immaterial hidden or universal truths, spiritual forces, personal feelings
JR Alexa Meade Janet Echelman http://www.ted.com/playlists/3/the_artist_is_in
1) What is the artist s role? Choose one and explain why. see the world in new and innovative ways make a visual record of the people, places, and events of their time and place make functional objects and structures more pleasurable and elevate them or imbue them with meaning give form to the immaterial hidden or universal truths, spiritual forces, personal feelings 2) What theme does the work fit into? Why? Politics and Community Spiritual Belief Passage of Time Beauty Gender and Identity Science and the Environment