ART316 Exam 2 Review

Dada Movement

• Origin: Began around 1916 during World War I.

• Concept: Challenged traditional art by using strange materials, randomness, and humor.

  • Belief that the chaos of war mirrored the absurdity of life, leading to the creation of unconventional art.

  • Notable use of everyday objects (e.g., bicycle wheels, toilets) as art to provoke questions about the nature of art.

New Objectivity (Neue Sachlichkeit)

• Origin: Emerged in the 1920s following World War I.

• Concept: Reaction against emotional, chaotic styles of prior movements, focusing on realism.

  • Detailed, photo-like representation of everyday life, emphasizing struggles and societal challenges post-war.

  • Aim to provide a clear, objective perspective of reality.

Abstract Expressionism

• Origin: Started in the 1940s in the United States.

• Concept: Focused on expressing emotions and ideas through abstraction.

  • Techniques involved big brushstrokes, drips, and splashes, allowing intuition and energy to guide creation.

  • The artwork aims to be open to interpretation rather than depicting recognizable subjects.

Clement Greenberg: Avant-garde and Kitsch

• Key Figure: Art critic Clement Greenberg, known for his 1939 essay.

• Concepts:

  • Avant-garde: Creative, experimental art that pushes boundaries.

  • Kitsch: Simple, popular art that entertains without depth.

  • Greenberg favored avant-garde for its originality and meaningful engagement over kitsch.

Action Painting

• Definition: Style focused on movement and energy in the painting process.

  • Techniques included throwing, dripping, or splashing paint to emphasize the creation action.

  • Popularized in the 1940s and 1950s by artists like Jackson Pollock, creating unique, energized pieces.

Jungian Theory: Collective Unconscious

• Originator: Carl Jung, a psychologist.

• Concept: Alongside personal experiences, a shared layer of the mind connects humanity.

  • Contains archetypes (universal symbols), which appear in myths, dreams, and art across cultures.

  • Examples include common archetypes like the "hero" or the "wise old person."

The Cold War

• Definition: Era of tension (1947-1991) between the United States and the Soviet Union.

• Characteristics:

  • Indirect competition in politics, technology, and military supremacy (e.g., arms race, space race).

  • Despite lack of direct conflict, the Cold War had widespread global impacts.

Color Field Painting

• Definition: Style from the 1940s and 1950s featuring large areas of color.

• Concept: Emotional impact achieved through bold color blocks, avoiding intricate shapes.

  • Artists like Mark Rothko and Barnett Newman focused on the viewer's emotional experience.

Political Pop

• Concept: Blending popular culture imagery with serious political commentary.

  • Use of bright colors, familiar figures from media to engage with social issues.

  • Emerged in the 1960s, aimed to provoke thought on societal matters.

Ledger Art

• Definition: Native American art developed in the 19th century on ledger paper.

  • Artists illustrated personal stories, battles, and daily life using bright colors and bold lines.

  • Served as a medium to preserve culture and share narratives uniquely.

Negritude

• Definition: A cultural movement founded in the 1930s by African and Caribbean intellectuals.

• Purpose: To celebrate Black identity, culture, and heritage while rejecting colonial narratives.

  • Aimed to promote unity and pride among people of African descent globally.

New Shona Sculpture

• Origin: Developed in Zimbabwe during the mid-20th century by Shona artists.

• Concept: Sculpting from stone, reflecting traditional themes with contemporary techniques.

  • Recognized internationally for expressiveness and cultural significance.

Progressive Artist’s Group

• Formation: Established in India in 1947 post-independence.

• Goal: Create modern art reflecting societal changes, blending Indian culture with Western art.

  • Prominent artists included F.N. Souza, M.F. Husain, and S.H. Raza, influencing modern Indian art.

Minimalism

• Definition: An art style that began in the 1960s emphasizing simplicity.

• Concept: Focus on basic shapes, lines, and colors, avoiding complexity for clarity and essence.

  • Seen in various mediums, promoting an uncluttered aesthetic.

Phenomenology

• Definition: Study of human experiences focusing on perception.

• Approach: Observing feelings and appearances without imposing judgments.

  • Aimed at uncovering the essence of experiences in consciousness.

Arte Povera

• Origin: An Italian art movement from the 1960s known as "poor art."

• Concept: Use of simple materials (e.g., dirt, rocks) to challenge traditional art's expectations and embrace materialism's rejection.

  • Focused on raw, natural materials connecting the art to the environment.

Gutai

• Origin: An avant-garde movement from Japan in the 1950s.

• Concept: Focused on exploring artistic boundaries and energetic expression through unconventional techniques.

  • Known for dynamic, action-oriented art emphasizing the creation process over the final piece.

Process Art

• Definition: An art movement prioritizing the act of creation itself.

• Concept: Materials, steps, and changes in making art are valued equally with the final result.

  • Emphasizes creativity and experimentation over a polished appearance.

Semiotics

• Definition: Study of signs and symbols and their meanings.

• Function: Analyzes how different forms communicate ideas and how they shape our understanding.

  • Involves applications across linguistics, art, media, and advertising.

Land Art

• Also Known As: Earth Art, an artistic movement from the 1960s-70s.

• Description: Utilizes landscapes and natural materials to create large outdoor artworks.

  • Focuses on the interaction with nature, often resulting in temporary installations that evolve with the environment.