Art History: What is art? Unit 1 lessons 1.1, 1.2, 1.3
What is the definition of art? Major question: What is the definition of art?
Art is, and art is not…. There is no single definitive definition of art. It is to encompassing. Art uses visual images to communicate. Art is a universal language.
Edward Hopper/ Early Sunday Morning
Warrior and Attendants plaque
Compare and contrast: What might the lives of the people be like in each of the represented cultures? Why would a Benin king be interested in the plaque? Are they located in the same part of the world? Is it likely that a royal leader rules Hopper’s town? What kinds of lasting reflections have they provided?
Evaluating Works of Art Describe, analyze, interpret, judge Sensory properties are the elements we can recognize using our sense of sight and touch. For example, Meret Oppenheim’s Object has a sense of texture very differing from Bird in Flight.
Evaluating, continued… Formal properties are the Principles of Art, determining how all the parts work together to create a composition Technical properties are the media, tools and equipment used to make the work of art Expressive properties are the characteristics that cause us to respond to it with feeling or emotion. (express moods of tension, relaxation, sadness, hope, compassion….etc)
So to evaluate we need what, now? Know the Elements. Know the Principles. Describe, analyze, interpret, judge Sensory, formal, technical, expressive properties The reflection on society also plays a big part in evaluating. Providing and confirming information about cultures help place the artwork and time period.
Elements and Principles of Art Line Shape Space Color Form Texture Value Emphasis Balance Rhythm Pattern Unity Movement Contrast
Major question: Can you admire someone and not particularly like them/ like being around them?
The same goes for art! Analyzing artwork, like art itself, is very broad! As long as you can justify your opinions, the things that are able to be opinions will never be wrong! Marcel Duchamp Fountain
Why do people create art? Utility Storage jar, Western Apache Religion Poro Society mask
Why do people create art, cont… Politics Information/ History Door from the kings palace- Areogun Aesthetics Robert Swain, Untitled
Questions about the art… What features of the storage jar make it not just useful, but a work of art? Define aesthetics and use it in a sentence. How can an automobile be considered a work of art? Write 3 words that come to mind when you look at Swain’s painting. Compare with another… why didn’t he title his piece?
Discovery and Preservation of Art MS Top 10 Discoveries Archaeology- unearthing and study of evidence from past cultures Research is needed to find site, then arduous work to unearth any treasure that may be in the ground.
Preservation Museums were not always what they are now. Throughout history, artists created work for patrons and collectors, not museums. Only after the revolutions of the 18th and 19th century that tumbled monarchies did common people have the chance to see art. Museums like the Guggenheim and Getty were private collections turned museum.
How we study art: Aesthetics: our personal response to the work Art History: provides the setting and context of the work Art Production: creation of art Art Criticism: analysis of the work
Questions to research: How are archaeology and art history related? What was the Louvre before it became a museum? How can producing artwork help you to understand great works of art? In studying a work of art, why is it helpful to understand the history of that piece and others like it?