Art Appreciation and Principles of Design Flashcards

70 practice flashcards covering Art Appreciation, Aesthetics, Elements and Principles of Design, Subject and Content, Artist vs Artisan roles, and the Art Production lifecycle.

How does Davies (2012) define art?

Entities (artifacts or performances) intentionally endowed by their makers with a significant degree of aesthetic interest, often greatly surpassing that of most everyday objects.

According to Davies (2012), when did art first appear and where does it exist?

Art first appeared hundreds of thousands of years ago and exists in virtually every known human culture.

What sensory quality do artworks traditionally possess according to the notes?

Artworks are intentionally endowed by their makers with properties, often sensory, having a significant degree of aesthetic interest usually surpassing that of most everyday objects.

What is essential to art's normative dimension?

The high value placed on making and consuming art.

Besides aesthetic power, what other powers can artworks possess?

Considerable moral and political power.

How does art relate to changes in culture?

The arts are always changing, just as the rest of culture is.

Name two non-artwork entities mentioned that possess aesthetic properties.

Natural entities and abstract entities.

What is Aesthetics defined as in art appreciation?

The study of beauty and what is considered to be philosophically beautiful and pleasing, as well as the perception of beauty.

What is Plato's concept of Mimesis?

Visual representation or replication of the real world that contains beauty and/or meaning.

How is Formalism defined in aesthetic theory?

The arrangement of lines, colors, shapes, and other aesthetic elements.

What is Expression in aesthetic theory?

The expression of one's subjective experiences and emotions.

Who formulated the 7 Functions of Art discussed in the lecture?

Alain de Botton.

What are the 7 Functions of Art according to Alain de Botton?

Beauty, Happiness and Hope, Identity and Understanding the self, Grief and Healing, Remembering and Mark-making, Raising Awareness, and Culture and Togetherness.

Which function of art by Alain de Botton is illustrated by phrases like 'THERE IS HOPE' and 'DREAM ANOTHER WORLD'?

Happiness and Hope.

Which function of art by Alain de Botton relates to exploring one's own character, bizarre feelings, and individual nature?

Identity and Understanding the self.

Which famous artist wrote, 'I used to think I was the strangest person in the world…' regarding feeling bizarre and flawed?

Frida Kahlo.

What function of art deals with processing loss and personal recovery?

Grief and Healing.

What function of art relates to preserving historical memory and creating lasting symbols?

Remembering and Mark-making.

What function of art is involved when art brings attention to public health or social issues?

Raising Awareness.

What function of art fosters community, shared tradition, and collective identity?

Culture and Togetherness.

What is Leonardo da Vinci's famous quote regarding the painter?

"THE PAINTER HAS THE UNIVERSE IN HIS MIND AND HANDS"

How are lines described in terms of visual expression?

Lines are expressive and can evoke a quality of its own.

What visual reference chart of line types is shown here?

A reference chart titled 'Famous Lines' displaying straight, curvy, wavy, thick, thin, loopy, scalloped, dotted, dashed, bumpy, zig zag, castle, spiral, varied, and scribbly lines.

List ten line types featured in the 'Famous Lines' chart.

Straight, Curvy, Wavy, Thick, Thin, Loopy, Scalloped, Dotted, Dashed, and Zig Zag.

How are shapes formed in visual art?

Shapes are formed through the lines we connect together.

What are the three primary types of shapes?

Geometric, biomorphic, and amorphous.

What are geometric shapes?

They are mathematical figures that can be 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional.

What are biomorphic shapes?

These are shapes and patterns that are reminiscent of living organisms.

What is a key quality of biomorphic shapes?

Fluidity.

What are amorphous shapes?

These are shapes that lack in defined or regular form, characterized by ambiguity and fluidity.

In what style of painting are amorphous shapes commonly seen?

Abstract paintings.

How many dimensions does Form possess?

Form is three-dimensional.

What three elements constitute Form?

Length, Width, and Height (LWH).

What effect does Form give to an artwork?

It gives a sense of realism.

What is shading in visual art?

The application of varying degrees of darkness or lightness.

What are the four kinds of shading listed in the lecture notes?

Hatching, cross-hatching, blending, and stippling.

Which shading techniques are illustrated in this diagram?

Hatching (parallel lines) and Stippling (small dots).

Which shading technique is shown in this image?

Cross-hatching.

Which shading technique is shown in this image?

Blending.

What is the stippling shading technique?

Creating shading and values of light or dark through the application of small dots.

What is Perspective in visual art?

Representing three-dimensional objects that helps in creating the illusion of depth and distance that makes an art realistic.

What is Hue defined as in the color properties?

The rawest state of a color.

What are Shades of a color?

These are the darkest tones of a color or a hue.

What are Tints of a color?

These are the lighter tones of a hue or a color.

Through what techniques can physical texture be achieved in art?

Stamping, scratching, and embossing.

What illusion does Texture give in an artwork?

It gives an illusion of smoothness or roughness.

Lighting creates the illusion of which three elements in art?

Color, form, and texture.

What are the three categories of lighting in visual art?

Implied, natural, or artificial.

How is Contrast defined in the principles of design?

Contrast is used to create depth and dimension, with light playing an important role.

How is Harmony defined in the principles of design?

When elements blend together or complement one another (such as form, color, theme, and the like).

How is Balance defined in the principles of design?

The equal distribution of visual weight that insinuates stability.

How are Rhythm and Movement created in design?

Creating a sense of direction through repetition of elements.

What is the principle of Unity and Variety?

There must be oneness in art, yet variety in elements gives depth and interest to the art.

How is Emphasis and Subordination explained in design?

Giving focus on a specific subject, while anything that is pushed back is subordinated.

What is Scale and Proportion in art design?

The relationship of sizes between various components within one whole object.

What is the definition of 'Subject' in art?

The recognizable object, person, scene, event, or main theme depicted by the artist in a visual work, answering 'What is depicted in this artwork?'.

What is the definition of 'Content' in art?

The deeper emotional, intellectual, symbolic, or philosophical meaning conveyed through the artwork, answering 'Why was this created and what does it communicate?'.

What is Representational Art?

Artworks that clearly depict objects or events recognized from the real world, also known as figurative art.

What is Abstract Art?

Art that simplifies, stylizes, or alters real-world subjects using lines, shapes, and colors while keeping a recognizable origin point.

What is Non-Representational Art?

Art with no intended reference to external visual reality, communicating strictly through form, color, texture, and compositional harmony.

What are the three levels of meaning in artwork content?

Factual meaning, conventional meaning, and subjective meaning.

How is Factual Meaning defined?

The literal statement or recognizable form directly visible without interpretation.

How is Conventional Meaning defined?

Shared cultural or historical symbols recognized by a community.

How is Subjective Meaning defined?

Individualized interpretation shaped by the viewer's personal experiences, emotions, and personal context.

What are the five primary sources of art subjects throughout art history?

Nature, History & Mythology, Religion & Sacred Texts, Dreams & Fantasy, and everyday life.

What is the primary objective and focus of a Fine Artist versus a Skilled Artisan?

A Fine Artist focuses on aesthetic expression, intellectual provocation, original concept, and emotional resonance; a Skilled Artisan focuses on functional mastery, technique, utility, and craft excellence.

What are the key primary responsibilities of an Art Curator and an Art Conservator?

An Art Curator researches, preserves, and organizes museum/gallery exhibitions; an Art Conservator applies scientific techniques to restore and prevent damage to art.

What are the three main stages of the art production process?

1. Pre-Production, 2. Production, and 3. Post-Production.

What activities take place during the Pre-Production phase of an artwork?

Conceptualization, preliminary sketching, mood boards, material selection, project budgeting, and context research.

What essential tasks are performed during Post-Production and Art Curation?

Preservation & Protection, Exhibition Design & Lighting, Documentation & Provenance, and Critical Reception.