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Welcome to the study of Visual Arts!
Why are people drawn to art? Although taste is certainly subjective, in general, people look at art for a variety of reasons:
To find inspiration
To understand different cultures
To enjoy beauty and aesthetics
In this first module, we will explore HOW we experience art. Understanding anything requires more than just a quick glance; it's like stepping into a world where the language is unfamiliar. We need to allow ourselves to enjoy the "not knowing" for a while and just remain curious. Viewing art requires time and attention. Here, we'll learn to appreciate art in a new light. Get ready for exciting discoveries that'll make art come alive!
In this module, we'll uncover the secrets of art appreciation. How everything we see, including art, is shaped by our thoughts. So, 'How do we look at art?' We'll have chances to see paintings, sculptures, and buildings, but if we don't know HOW to LOOK at them and understand them, we might miss a lot. I hope you enjoy this module and gain new perspectives.
The next module will teach us more about the tools and words used in art.
Most of the time, in this course, if you're asked to choose a 'work of art' as an example, make sure it's by a 'famous' artist.
Here are some places to find art
The Metropolitan Museum in NYC Here I chose "canvas" in the search bar, but feel free to look around.
The Prado in Spain
The National Gallery in London
The Innocent Eye Test, Mark Tansey (1981).
Perception
Perception
Let's explore the fundamental principles of observing and interpreting art. The act of looking at something appears passive; we open our eyes, and the world presents itself. However, this perception can be deceiving because what we perceive might not necessarily align with reality.
Our mode of observation, often passive and complacent, fosters an illusion of reasonably accurate depictions of what lies before us. To illustrate this point, let's examine the FedEx logo. Initially, many might perceive it as merely the words 'FedEx' in different colors. However, is that all there is to it? Take another look. Can you discern anything else?
Hidden within the logo, there exists an intriguing subtlety. Take a few moments to observe it closely without referring to any additional information or guidance... keep observing... please refrain from proceeding further for a few minutes...
Do you see a white arrow between the "E" and the "X"? This is a subliminal image put there by the designer to communicate the idea of motion, movement, and direction, all moving forward. Many people do not see this because their mind filters out the white as just background. This background is called negative space and is a crucial tool in the artist's toolbox.
Please review the instructions below before watching the short (30-second) video titled “Selective Attention.” In the video, two teams will be shown: one team wearing black T-shirts and the other team wearing white T-shirts. Each team possesses a basketball, and their members will be passing the ball to each other. Your task is to count how many times the team wearing white passes the ball. The task might become challenging as the teams will be moving around each other, demanding your full concentration. What's intriguing is that among a group of people watching the same video clip, the counted numbers may vary! Everything in the video is visible; just stay focused. Click on the link provided, watch the video, and count how many passes the team wearing white makes.
How many did you count?
Our attention is selective, and can blind us and filter out what is obvious, and right in front of us!
Please watch it again without counting.
Isn't it fascinating how much we might miss seeing? By paying enough attention, we can expand our perspectives and enrich our lives. However, this attention demands thinking beyond our usual boundaries. So, what exactly is our 'box'? It's everything that shapes us: our gender, age, family background, socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds, and all the tiny details from our past experiences, among others! When we take a closer look at this 'box' we exist within, we can then start to explore beyond it.
For our introduction to art, this is our approach: viewing with fresh eyes, to the best of our ability, and with a discerning, open mind.
Please take a moment to watch the following video and PowerPoint presentation.
Pretty surprising, right? I encountered something similar once, at a conference, with a stranger. At first glance, he appeared arrogant, distant, and disinterested. I remember thinking, 'Why did he bother coming if he wasn't interested?'
But later, when I got to know him, I found that Bruce turned out to be one of the most compassionate and engaged people I'd ever met. When I asked about his initial demeanor, he revealed, 'I was experiencing a panic attack and trying to calm myself.' It was a revelation! It hit me hard—how my/our quick judgments are often mistaken! Our perceptions are so limited, and it takes effort to genuinely open up to everything, even art.
So why look at art?
So why look at art?
While art may not directly save lives, professionals in esteemed fields such as medicine, nursing, and law enforcement can significantly benefit from the analysis of art. Examining works like René Magritte's "Time Transfixed" offers a unique opportunity to cultivate enhanced communication and analytical skills. This study focuses on deciphering elements both apparent and hidden within the artwork. Amy E. Herman advocates for the value of art historical training in preparing individuals for rigorous real-world investigative work.
The Purposes of Visual Art:
The Purposes of Visual Art:
Art can uplift, provoke, soothe, entertain, and educate us and is an important part of our lives. At its most profound level, it takes us from the everyday to a place of introspection and contemplation, to see the bigger picture of the human condition. Most of us need to express our feelings or communicate our thoughts or ideas about life, existence, love, beauty, nature, and politics, among other things. Art, in its many forms, is a channel or outlet we have to do this.
Here are some of the ways:
Ceremonial.... ritual, celebration, worship
Artistic Expression..communicate ideas, feelings emotions
Narrative.....artwork that tells stories, describes or illustrates experiences
Functional.... artistic objects used in everyday life that serve an actual purpose
Persuasive...artworks that promote ideas, philosophies, or products
Which one is represented in the photo above?
Can you think of examples for each of these purposes of art
More definitions:
CEREMONIAL ART
Ceremonial art is made to celebrate or commemorate something important in the culture, in ritual or worship, or personal life. It is not a painting of people participating in a ceremony.
ART for ARTISTIC EXPRESSION
Art created for Artistic Expression focuses on the artist most of all, for it is a self-expression of the artist’s personal, internal emotions, feelings, experiences, or ideas. This type of art is sometimes, but not always, abstract or non-objective.
NARRATIVE ART
Narrative art tells a story or makes a point. Some communities commission narrative murals for buildings or walls to depict stories from local history. Narrative art describes or illustrates experiences, documents important or historical events, or communicates ideas or information.
FUNCTIONAL ART
Functional art seeks to beautify objects that are useful in everyday life. Many of the objects we use including pottery, quilts, baskets, and furniture (serve a useful purpose) are also designed or decorated in artistically pleasing ways.
PERSUASIVE ART
Persuasive artworks promote ideas, philosophies, or products. Advertising, marketing, propaganda, and visual messages of ideology fall into this category.
ARTISTIC EXPRESSION: Alan Leitner "Sefriah" 2009 Mixed Media
Ceremonial: Japanese ceremonial sword, Meiji (1868-1912)
Narrative Art: The Raft of the Medusa 1818–19 Théodore Géricault
Functional Art: The Surfboard Art Project, Various Artists
Persuasive Art: "We Can Do It!" is an American wartime propaganda poster produced by J. Howard Miller in 1943
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