final art exam

Maya Lin

created the Vietnam Veterans Memorial

art and Perception

awareness of the act of looking

Aesthetics

study of beauty and taste

Representational

realistic depiction

Abstract

simplified or altered from reality

Nonrepresentational (Nonobjective)

no recognizable subject

form

how the artwork looks

content

what the artwork is about

Line

A mark made by a moving point

Shape

A two-dimensional area defined by boundaries; can be geometric or organic.

Mass

An area that appears to have weight or density; can refer to physical mass or visual mass in art.

Light

An essential element in art that affects how we perceive color, form, and texture.

Color

An element consisting of hue, saturation, and brightness that conveys mood and emotion in artwork.

Space

The area around, between, and within objects in an artwork; can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional.

Unity

The sense of harmony and cohesion in an artwork, achieved through the effective arrangement of elements.

Variety

The use of different elements in a work of art to create visual interest and contrast.

Balance

The distribution of visual weight within a composition, which can be symmetrical or asymmetrical.

Symmetrical Balance

A type of balance where elements are arranged evenly on either side of a central line; creates a sense of stability.

Asymmetrical Balance

A balance achieved when the visual weight of elements is distributed unevenly but still appears balanced.

Emphasis

The focal point of an artwork that draws the viewer's attention, often created through contrast or positioning.

Subordination

The use of elements to draw less attention, guiding the viewer’s focus toward the main subject.

Rhythm

The repetition of visual elements to create a sense of movement and pattern within an artwork.

Prehistoric Art

Art from early human history before written records, often tied to survival and daily life.

Paleolithic Art

Early Stone Age art includes cave paintings and simple tools, focused on survival and animals.

Neolithic Art

Later Stone Age art; more advanced tools, farming lifestyle, and functional structures.

Function-Based Art

Art created for practical use (tools, shelters, rituals), not just decoration.

Mesopotamia

One of the first civilizations, art focused on religion, power, and organized society.

Sumerians

Early Mesopotamian culture is known for building religious temples called ziggurats.

Ziggurat

A massive stepped temple structure used for worship in Mesopotamia.

Akkadians

Mesopotamian culture known for realistic art and emphasizing rulers' power.

Assyrians

Culture known for detailed carvings showing warfare, strength, and dominance.

Egyptian Art

Art focused on order, stability, and the afterlife

Stability & Continuity (Egypt)

art remained very similar for centuries, emphasizing tradition and order.

Hierarchical Scale

Important figures are larger

Classical Art (Greece & Rome)

Art focused on balance, realism, ideal beauty, and proportion.

Contrapposto

A pose where the body weight shifts onto one leg, creating a natural stance.

Parthenon

A famous Greek temple dedicated to Athena, showing balance and symmetry.

Colosseum

A large Roman arena used for public events and gladiator games

Byzantine Art

Religious art with a focus on Christianity, often symbolic and less realistic.

Icon

A sacred painted image used in religious worship.

Middle Ages

Time period focused on religion; art was less realistic and more symbolic.

Illuminated Manuscripts

Handwritten books decorated with gold, color, and detailed illustrations.

Printing Press

Reduced the need for handmade manuscripts, leading to their decline.

Renaissance

A “rebirth” of classical Greek and Roman ideas in art and learning.

Renaissance Artists

considered intellectuals instead of craftspeople

Islamic Art

Calligraphy, geometry, architecture, religious art practiced the law of aniconism.

Aniconism

The avoidance of human and animal figures in religious art.

Calligraphy

Decorative writing, often used to display verses from the Qur’an.

Geometric Design

Complex repeating patterns symbolizing order, infinity, and unity.

Islamic Architecture

Buildings like mosques featuring domes, arches, and intricate decoration.

African Art

Art deeply connected to community, rituals, and spiritual beliefs.

Masquerade

A ceremonial performance using masks, costumes, music, and dance.

Asia

Art shaped by philosophical and spiritual ideas.

Daoism

“Way of life” philosophy emphasizing harmony with nature and the flow of life.

Confucianism

Philosophy focused on order, respect, and social harmony.

Zen Buddhism

A spiritual practice emphasizing meditation and simplicity.

Haboku Style

A spontaneous ink painting style with loose, expressive brushstrokes.

Pacific & Indigenous Americas Art

Art connected to nature, spirituality, and cultural traditions.

Aboriginal Art (Dreamtime)

Belief connected to meanings in Aboriginal rock engravings

North American Art

Often lost because it was made from perishable materials

Industrial Revolution

A period of rapid industrial growth that changed society and influenced new art subjects and techniques.

Daguerreotype

The first successful form of photography, changing how artists captured reality.

Impressionism

middle-class leisure scenes and the effects of light and color.

How did Manet contribute to a modern shift in art?

challenged illusion in art and emphasized the flatness of the canvas.

Avant-Garde 20th century

refers to artists pushing new ideas against traditional conventions.

Surrealism

dreams and the unconscious mind, influenced by Freud.

Automatism

technique used in Surrealism to create art without conscious control

Marcel Duchamp

creating readymades, which are everyday objects labeled as art.

Abstract Expressionism

Art focused on emotion and the act of painting itself.

Action Painting

the movement and actions of the artist during the creation of the work.

Drip Painting

Technique of dripping or splattering paint onto canvas. (Jackson Pollock)

Color Field Painting

Large areas of solid color meant to create immersive experience (Mark Rothko)

Pop Art

centers on mass-produced images and elements of popular culture. (andy warhol)

instillation art

postmodernism

An art movement rejecting the idea of one correct style no such thing as progress.

pluralism

art can go in many different directions, all considered valid.

appropriation

reusing existing images or works, often without direct acknowledgment.

What is significant about Sherrie Levine's work?

presents existing images as their own, challenging notions of originality.