ARH 101
Principles of art
-use or arrangement of the building blocks of visual art -pattern, -rhythm/ movement -proportion/ scare, -balance -unity -emphasis
Principles of design
concepts used to organize or arrange the structural elements of design
Visual Literacy
o A text is an image and an image is a text o 7 hours and 38 minutes a day in young people in 2013 o Reading is the only type of image that hasn't increased in the past 10 years o Middle income are more advantaged then lower income because they have had more books read to them o Visual literacy enables: § Interpreting content of visual images § Examining the social impact of visual images § Discussion of their purpose, audience and ownership § The ability to visualize internally § Communicate visually § Reading and interpreting visual images § Being aware of making judgements, about the accuracy, validity and worth of images o Reading the visual world o 7 hours every day of reading images § 21st century students o Socio economic issue § Lo o Can read and write visual language o What is visual literacy § The process of sending and receiving messages § The ability to construct meaning from images § Helps you to examine the social impact § Ability to visualize internally § Visual literacy is the key sensory literacy § There have only been 3 communications revolution in history · Cuneiform · Printed image · Digital image
The skill of describing
o Best way to begin understanding a work of art describing what you see o Can be specific (not necessarily describing the meaning) § Just describe literally what you see § Ex. There is a moon and starts o With art that is older, before the modern period (before about 1800), works of art had specific meanings, often to educate or inspire devotion o Art was used to consolidate or challenge political power o (we still use images to do that) o Art can help us remember someone we care about, or it can help us remember ourselves o Art can tell us about the time the artist lived in
Art Museums are for everyone
o Collection of very special items to preserve things people shouldn't forget about o The holder of the communities treasures o Symbolize what our values are as people o Cultural meeting place o Place of delight o Our collective memory o It tells our stories o So many different kinds of museums o Teaches people how to communicate in verbal and nonverbal ways o For everyone, all ages o Art is the most universal of all languages
Composition
o Composition is the arrangement of elements with in work of art o In the classical tradition, triangular or pyramidal compositions were used because they created a sense of balance and harmony by arranging the figures into a stable overall geometric structure. o The idea of composition as the adjustment of the relationships of the elements of the work within the border of the canvas, remained unchallenged through the upheavals of the early modern movements such as cubism and abstract art. o Then in the late 1940s the American abstract expressionist painter, Jackson Pollock, introduced what came to be called allover composition, and the traditional concept became known as relational composition.
Feldmans method of art criticism
o Four step method for the critique process: § Description · Objective opportunity to say what you see · Find out who the artist was, the title, the shapes, etc. § Analysis · How is the work organized · How does the artist use the elements of design · What effect/role do they have/play on the piece § Interpretation · What is the artwork about? What is the artist trying to say? · Ex. A political statement? § Judgement · Is it a good artwork? Do you like the artwork? · What are you judging it based on? o Use of the elements and principles of design?
Basic color theory (article): COLOR CONTEXT
o How color behaves in relation to other colors and shapes is a complex area of color theory. § Three colors can be perceived as 4
What is art good for? The Value of creative thinking!
o Logical thinking and creative thinking go with each other o What is the meaning of life? § Different meanings/no meaning? o How can we express something that we can't put into words? § art o Successful art uses the visual language to express something universal even when dealing with specifics it helps us to see the big picture
Approaching art in a media society
o Problem—we live in a media society § Paintings have to compete with the internet and television o How can art compete? § Art can appear on the tv, movie screen, and internet § Animation is the art of the future o Abercrombie and fitch meets the renaissance o Works of art are unique and not mass produced o Can high culture compete with media culture? o Artist Jean Arp felt than an adult viewing a work of art needed to feel the same sense of joy and wonder that a child feels when looking at a new toy o To see a work of art means having a dialogue with a work of art that cannot speak to you. The harder you think, the more dialogue that opens up o We need to access actual works of art for a complete experience o To appreciate art.. § Be prepared to slow down § Be willing to look carefully § Remember that your teacher is not the ultimate authority § Your appreciation will grow over time
John Berger: Ways of Seeing, Episode I (video)- 30 minutes
o Shows different perspectives, ex. A camera, machine o Paintings used to only be seen in one room, with cameras, the image can be seen in many different places at different times § The images can now be reproduced o Art has become information of a sort o You may say, original paintings are still unique, they look different then there reproduced counter parts o You should be able to feel the authenticity of an original painting in the museum o There is information to prove a painting is the original and not a replica o Lights are kept low to preserve the painting from fading o Works of art have lost and gained (11:40 ish) o Silence and stillness of a painting can be very striking o In painting there is no unfolding time o Music and rhythm can change the significance of a picture § Ex. The last picture before an artist killed themselves o The meaning of a painting can be transformed. Through music, a different lens? o When paintings are reproduced they become a form of information o The meaning of an image can be changed by what is before it what is beside it § Ex. A title or verbiage o Reproduction of works of art can be used by different people for different purposes o Seduction is the painting working on us o Characterization in a painting § They don't want us to make terms of the painting in our terms. He has to give it to us (the artist) o Mystifications o These kids examined an image and couldn't agree on whether the one person was a boy or girl § All had different opinions § No background information on the piece § The guy was a homosexual
The Art of seeing art (article)
o The average person spends 17 seconds looking at a work of art in a museum o There are descriptions of the six steps to understanding what you see in this article o 1. Look § Slow down and look carefully o 2. Observe § Close looking o 3. See § A mental process of perception. § Involves recognizing or connecting the information the eyes take in with your previous knowledge and experiences in order to create meaning. o 4. Describe § Can help you identify and organize your thoughts about what you have seen o 5. Analyze § Uses the details you identified in your descriptions and applies reason to make meaning o 6. Interpret § Combines our descriptions and analysis with our previous knowledge and any information we have about the artist and the work. § Allows us to draw conclusions about the image o Analyze § Uses the details you identified in your description and applies reason to them in an effort to interpret the image. § Four different methods for analyzing an image · Form · Symbols o Things that have meaning by association or that stand in for something else · Ideas o How do the values and beliefs of our own society shape our understanding of an image? · Meaning o Understand the purpose of the artwork, discover the artists intended meaning and expand on the number of other meanings based on the composition, memory, life experiences, history, culture, etc. o Interpretation § Occurs when we merge together the lenses of form, symbols, ideas, and meaning. o When you look at the shape of the diagram "the v shape" you can see there is a dotted line between look and interpret. This is because an object can never be interpreted the same way after it has been interpreted once.
Why look at art?
o We live in a visual world o A part of being alive o Makes you a better person o See beyond a first impression
Example of Visual Analysis
o Why describe? § Translation of image to text slows looking down. Be patient. Look carefully. § Evocation of image to audience, checking we are looking at the same thing § Tradition of 'ekphrasis' as a literacy genre § It's difficult. o This video described many different images of flowers and still life. Most of which was inspired by Clara Peeters § It combined a bunch of different paintings and described them all together § How one painting may have inspired another?? § Flowers can be used scientifically o Tips for visual analysis § Describe first before writing up a shortened version of your description § Don't use over flowery language § Don't use value judgements · Ex. "exquisite brush-stroke" · No criticism § Compare to other images. Does it remind you of anything else? § Try to establish facts, dates, original location first, before making any assumptions § Practice!!
Repetition
refers to one object or shape repeated
Design in art
repetition, pattern, and rhythm -The Buddhist mandala incorporates all 3 of these designs
Understanding formal analysis and elements of art (article)-- Line
§ A line is an identifiable path created by a point moving in space. It is one-dimensional and can vary in width, direction, and length. Lines often define the edges of a form. Lines can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal, straight or curved, thick or thin. They lead your eye around the composition and can communicate information through their character and direction. § horizontal: suggest a feeling of rest or repose because objects parallel to the earth are at rest · give a sense of space § Vertical: communicate a sense of height · In the church example it suggests spirituality rising beyond human reach toward the heavens § Horizontal and vertical lines used in combination: · Communicates stability and solidity § Diagonal lines · Convey a feeling of movement · Objects in diagonal position are unstable § The curve of a line can convey energy: · Soft, shallow curves recall the curves of the human body and often have a pleasing sensual quality and a softening effect on the composition
· Basic color theory (article): COLOR HARMONY
§ Analogous colors: any three colors which are side by side on a 12-part color wheel, such as yellow-green, yellow, and yellow orange. § Color scheme based on complementary colors: Complementary colors are any two colors which are directly opposite each other, such as red and green and red-purple and yellow-green. § Color scheme based on nature: Nature provides a perfect departure point for color harmony. In the illustration above, red yellow and green create a harmonious design, regardless of whether this combination fits into a technical formula for color harmony.
Basic color theory (article): COLOR WHEEL
§ Circular diagram first developed by sir Isaac newton § Based on red, yellow and blue § Primary colors: red, yellow, and blue · 3 pigment colors that cannot be mixed or formed. All colors are derived from these hues § Secondary colors: Green, orange and purple · Formed by mixing the primary colors § Tertiary colors: Yellow-orange, red-orange, red-purple, blue-purple, blue-green & yellow-green · Formed by mixing a primary and a secondary color (hence why they're a two word name)
Understanding formal analysis and elements of art (article)-- Shape and Form
§ Define objects in space. Shapes have two dimensions- height and width- and are usually defined by lines. § Shape: is only height and width. § Form: depth as well as width and height · Three-dimensional form is the basis of sculpture, furniture, and decorative arts § Geometric shapes and forms: include mathematical, named shapes such as squares, rectangles, circles etc.. · Often man made shapes and forms § Organic shapes and forms: typically irregular or asymmetrical. Organic shapes are often found I nature, but man- made shapes can also imitate organic forms.
Understanding formal analysis and elements of art (article)-- TEXTURE
§ In a two-dimensional work of art, texture gives a visual sense of how an object depicted would feel in real life if touched: hard, soft, rough, smooth, hairy, leathery, sharp, etc. In three-dimensional works, artists use actual texture to add a tactile quality to the work. § Texture depicted in two-dimensions: artists use color, line, and shadowing to imply textures § Surface texture: ...
Elements of Art - VALUE
§ Light § How light or dark of a given color or hue is § Easier when visualized as a scale or gradient § Scales have a it from light to dark § Low contrast when it has many tones in-between light and dark § High contrast is one with very low tonal values between light and dark
Understanding formal analysis and elements of art (article)-- COLOR
§ Light reflected off objects. Color has three main characteristics: hue (red, green, blue, etc.), value (how light or dark it is), and intensity (how bright or dull it is). Colors can be described as warm (red, yellow) or cool (blue, gray), depending on which end of the color spectrum they fall. § Value: brightness of color. Can create different moods. · Dark colors: mystery or foreboding · Light colors: a light source or light reflected within the composition § Intensity: describes the purity or strength of a color · Goes along with a positive or negative energy and the mood
Elements of art
§ Line § Shape/form § Color § Value § Texture § Space/ perspective
Elements of Art - LINE
§ Lines are created § Can be rough smooth, zig zag... § Every artist has a different way of doing their lines § What kind of lines do you want to use to communicate a message
Proportion
§ Proportion refers to the relative size and scale of the various elements in a design. The issue is the relationship between objects, or parts, of a whole. This means that it is necessary to discuss proportion in terms of the context or standard used to determine proportions § Our most universal standard of measurement is the human body; that is, our experience of living in our own bodies. We judge the appropriateness of size of objects by that measure. For example, a sofa in the form of a hand is startling because of the distortion of expected proportion, and becomes the center of attention in the room. Architectural spaces intended to impress are usually scaled to a size that dwarfs the human viewer. This is a device often used in public spaces, such as churches or centers of government. The same principle is often applied to corporate spaces through which the enterprise wishes to impress customers with its power and invincibility.
Understanding formal analysis and elements of art (article)-- SPACE
§ Real space is three-dimensional. Space in a work of art refers to a feeling of depth or three dimensions. It can also refer to the artist's use of the area within the picture plane. The area around the primary objects in a work of art is known as negative space, while the space occupied by the primary objects is known as positive space. § Positive and negative space: · Ex. the man and his shadow occupy the positive space, while the white space surrounding him is the negative space. The disproportionate amount of negative space accentuates the figure's vulnerability and isolation. § Three dimensional space · The illusion of space is achieved through perspective drawing techniques and shading.
Elements of Art -SPACE
§ Site-specific art is designed for specifically one space § The area in which an art work is organized § Main objects take up positive space, the areas around them create negative space § Overlapping gives a sense of 3D space § Relative size can give the illusion of real space § Dense, open, symmetrical, flat...etc...
Elements of Art - TEXTURE
§ The look or feel of a surface § Can be real or implied § Implied are only visual and can't be felt § Textures through lines, shapes
Elements of Art- COLOR
§ The painted canvas is a flat two dimensional space (by people from back then) § The colors weren't meant to represent anything else § The light reflected off of an object is what we see as the color § Secondary colors are primary colors mixed together equally § Tinting, shading, toning changes the value of a color · Tin is adding white · Shade is adding black · Toning is adding both black and white § Monochromatic color scheme § Colors can be categorized by temperature · Warm and cool
Elements of Art - FORM
§ When shapes get a third dimension of depth, they are given form § Color be used to create form § Shading
Elements of Art - SHAPE
§ When the beginning of one line reaches the end of another, a shape is formed!!!! § Shapes are geometric or organic § Organic shapes are free formed and one of a kind § Shapes inherent the qualities of a line that's used to construct them
Asymmetrical balance
§ also called informal balance, is more complex and difficult to envisage. It involves placement of objects in a way that will allow objects of varying visual weight to balance one another around a fulcrum point. This can be best imagined by envisioning a literal balance scale that can represent the visual "weights" that can be imagined in a two dimensional composition. For example, it is possible to balance a heavy weight with a cluster of lighter weights on equal sides of a fulcrum; in a picture, this might be a cluster of small objects balanced by a large object. It is also possible to imagine objects of equal weight but different mass (such as a large mass of feathers versus a small mass of stones) on equal sides of a fulcrum. Unequal weights can even be balanced by shifting the fulcrum point on our imaginary scale.
Visual art literacy involves
§ art history · analysis of works of art § form · elements of art/principles of design § iconology · symbols § ideology · ideas, values, beliefs § semiotics · signs, signifiers § hermeneutics · literal and intended meaning
Symmetrical balance
§ described as having equal "weight" on equal sides of a centrally placed fulcrum. It may also be referred to as formal balance. When the elements are arranged equally on either side of a central axis, the result is Bilateral symmetry. This axis may be horizontal or vertical. It is also possible to build formal balance by arranging elements equally around a central point , resulting in radial symmetry § there is a variant of symmetrical balance called approximate symmetry in which equivalent but not identical forms are arranged around the fulcrum line
Pattern
§ is a combination of elements or shapes repeated in a recurring and regular arrangement § Pattern can be found in the areas where there are repeated figures that are different in size but follow a regular, ordered arrangement in their recurrence. § Pattern is often used symbolically to represent many things: people, beliefs, the natural world, history, tradition. Colors and shapes have specific meanings, and are passed down from generation to generation. The predictability of pattern is important in establishing a historical tradition and cultural practice. § Islamic spiritual art does not allow the incorporation of imagery, so pattern is used to convey spiritual principles. § Patterns as decoration
Rhythm
§ is a combination of elements repeated, but with variations. § Rhythm is like pattern, in that the same elements (i.e. shape, line) are repeated; however, with rhythm there are slight variations in the pattern. Rhythm is easily perceived but complex and subtle. Think of water on a beach; it continually breaks on the shore in lines that are repeated, yet each one is different. § Most easily understood with music
Balance
§ the concept of visual equilibrium, and relates to our physical sense of balance. It is a reconciliation of opposing forces in a composition that results in visual stability. Most successful compositions achieve balance in one of two ways: symmetrically or asymmetrically. Balance in a three dimensional object is easy to understand; if balance isn't achieved, the object tips over. To understand balance in a two dimensional composition, we must use our imaginations to carry this three dimensional analogy forward to the flat surface.
Proportion/scare
· Proportion is the size relationship of parts to a whole and to one another. Scale refers to relating size to a constant, such as a human body.
Unity
· achieved when the components of a work of art are perceived as harmonious, giving the work a sense of completion.
Emphasis
· refers to the created center of interest, the place in an artwork where your eye first lands.
Rhythm/movement
· refers to the suggestion of motion through the use of various elements.
Pattern
· repetition or reoccurrence of a design element, exact or varied, which establishes a visual beat.
balance
· the impression of equilibrium in a pictorial or sculptural composition. Balance is often referred to as symmetrical, asymmetrical, or radial.
