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Chapter 1: Definitions of ART

The Meaning of Art

  • Art derives from the Latin word "ars," meaning "ability" or "skill."

  • Encompasses a diverse range of human activities that create visual, auditory, or performing artifacts (artworks).

  • Artworks express the creator's imagination or technical skill, intended to be appreciated for beauty or emotional power.

  • Visual Art: Oldest documented form of art, includes painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and other media, traditionally used to describe ourselves and our surroundings.

Architecture as Visual Art

  • Often included as a visual art, architecture involves practical considerations of use, unlike traditional visual arts like painting.

Chapter 2: Process of Art

Topic Outline

  • Artistic Process

  • Individual Artist

  • Artistic Training Methods

  • Art as Social Activity

Intended Learning Outcomes

  • Define the Artistic Processes.

  • Compare and contrast art as a social activity and singular creative act.

  • Discuss forms of artistic training.

The Artistic Process

  • Unique combination of:

    • Vision

    • Creativity

    • Intuition

    • Collaboration

    • Craft

    • Technique

    • Accountability

    • Discipline

    • Use of time and resources

Support Networks for Artists

  • Artists rely on a support network including:

    • Family

    • Friends

    • Peers

    • Industries

    • Businesses

    • Society

  • Different materials used by artists, from pencil and paper to tools for sculpture and photography.

Art Exhibition and Criticism

  • Commercial Art Galleries: Focus on buying and selling, making art a commodity.

  • Museums: Act as cultural repositories for viewing art.

  • Critics: Offer insights into art's meaning; make judgments based on intellectual, aesthetic, and cultural standards.

The Individual Artist

  • Many artists work alone in studios focusing on creation.

  • Some artists employ assistants; those who don’t create personally may be known as "art directors."

Artistic Training Methods

  • Aims to develop artists' capabilities and optimize workflow.

  • Historically, training often involved apprenticeships with established artists.

  • In developed nations, art schools emerged, Inspired by the 17th-century French Royal Academy.

Becoming an Artist

  • Skill: Developed through repetition until it becomes second nature.

  • Talent: Important but not solely adequate for creating significant art.

  • Creativity: Essential for artists, often criticized in commercial contexts.

Art as Social Activity

  • Example: Pyramids built by laborers under the direction of designers; grand art is often a collective effort.

  • Public Art: Controversial as it involves funding from various sources and differing opinions on appropriateness.

Chapter 3: Subjective and Objective Perspectives

Approaching Art

  • The first level is to learn to LOOK at art; subjective reactions often dominate initial impressions.

  • It is crucial to develop informed or objective opinions rather than relying solely on emotional reactions.

Artistic Roles

  • Visual artists perform various roles, including:

    • Description: Creating accurate representations (portraits, landscapes).

    • Scientific Illustration: Documenting scientific concepts through art.

    • Enhancing Our World: Aesthetic design in everyday items.

Artistic Categories

  • Fine Art: Examples include paintings, sculptures, photographs, and newer media.

  • Craft: Art showcasing high skilled workmanship.

Artistic Styles

  • Style: Refers to the specific appearance in art.

    • Naturalistic Style: Uses recognizable images with accuracy.

    • Abstract Style: Based on recognizable objects but altered through distortion.

    • Non-objective Imagery: No relation to the real world; based solely on itself.

    • Cultural Styles: Reflect distinctive characteristics in artworks from specific societies.

Personal and Social Functions of Art

Personal Functions

  • Art improves lives and serves as a vehicle for artists to express feelings and ideas.

  • Provides fresh insights into nature and human nature, promoting understanding.

Social Functions

  • Influences social behavior through various media (e.g., paintings, literature).

  • Celebrates public events like festivals through artistic expression.

  • Acts as vital historical documents that describe aspects of life from various times and places.

Community Planning in Art

Function and Form

  • Objects are designed based on their functions; for example, chairs are designed for comfort.

Community Needs

  • Residential Districts: Assigned for living purposes, catering to social comfort and health.

  • Commercial Areas: Typically located near raw materials.

  • Civic Centers: Where government functions occur, symbolizing community pride.

  • Public Spaces: Address issues like pollution and lack of recreational facilities.

Functions and Aesthetics in Art

  • Functional artworks must efficiently perform their purpose while also being aesthetically pleasing.