INTRODUCTION TO ART

Dr. Mohammad Hossein Abedi

INTRODUCTION TO ART
▪ Definition: Art is a visual object or experience consciously created through an
expression of skill or imagination.
▪ Diverse Mediums: The term “art” encompasses diverse media, including for
example:
▪ Painting: Using pigments on canvas or other surfaces.
▪ Sculpture: Shaping materials like bronze, marble, or wood.
▪ Printmaking: Techniques like etching, woodcut, or lithography.
▪ Drawing: Using pencils, ink, chalk, or crayons.
▪ Decorative Arts: Ornamental and functional art (e.g., ceramics, textiles).
▪ Photography: Capturing images using film or digital technology.
INTRODUCTION TO ART
▪ Visual arts, music, literature,
and poetry exemplify the
diverse forms of artistic
expression. Through these
mediums, artists convey their
unique perspectives, evoking
fascination, igniting
imagination, and eliciting
appreciation from their
audience.
ASSUMPTIONS OF ART
▪ 1. Art is Universal
▪ Definition: Art transcends cultures, races, and civilizations.
▪ Timeless: It spans generations and continents.
▪ Misconception: People often think that only ancient artworks are
considered artistic. However, age is not the sole factor in determining art’s
value.
▪ Examples:
▪ In the Philippines, the works of Jose Rizal and Francisco Balagtas are not
appreciated solely because they are old. Their enduring beauty and
relevance make them timeless.
▪ Florante at Laura, another Filipino masterpiece, continues to teach high
school students about universal themes like love.
ASSUMPTIONS OF ART
▪ 2. Art is Not Nature
▪ Nature vs. Art: Art is not an attempt
to simply mirror nature.
▪ Expression of Perception: Artists
express their perception of reality
through their work.
▪ Example: Consider the story of the
Elephant and the Blind Men, where
each blind man perceives a different
aspect of the elephant. Similarly, art
reflects individual perspectives and
interpretations
SUBJECTIVITY AND MEANING IN ART
▪ 1. Subjectivity in Art
▪ Definition: Subjectivity refers to how individual people respond to a work of
art in different ways.
▪ Personal Opinions and Feelings: Rather than relying on agreed facts,
subjectivity is based on personal opinions, emotions, and experiences.
▪ Example:
▪ Imagine two viewers standing before a painting. One finds it beautiful, while
the other considers it ugly. The material object remains unchanged, but their
subjective responses differ.
▪ Monet and Cézanne, once criticized for their “half-finished” Impressionist
paintings, are now celebrated artists. Taste evolves over time.
SUBJECTIVITY AND MEANING IN ART
▪ 2. Art’s Ethical Aspect
▪ Judgments and Morality: Describing art as “beautiful,” “valuable,” or
“worthless” carries a moral dimension.
▪ Championing Tastes: Our preferences shape what art is shown in galleries,
what the market values, and which artists rise to prominence.
▪ Subjective Responses Blend with Objectivity: Personal tastes influence
the broader art landscape, blurring the line between subjective and
objective criteria.
SUBJECTIVITY AND MEANING IN ART
▪ 3. Perception and Interpretation
▪ Individual Lens: Art mirrors our inner feelings, sparking joy, sadness, or
contemplation.
▪ Cultural Context: Beyond personal perception, art reflects societal and
cultural contexts.
▪ Embrace Subjectivity: Acknowledge that art’s power lies in its ability to
evoke diverse emotions and interpretations
CREATIVITY AND IMAGINATION IN ART
▪ 1. Creativity in Art
▪ Definition: Creativity involves generating new ideas, concepts, and forms
that evoke emotions, provoke thought, and communicate the artist’s unique
perspective.
▪ Process: Artists tap into their imaginations, emotions, and original ideas to
create visually or conceptually engaging works of art.
▪ Mediums: Creativity manifests in traditional forms like paintings and
sculptures, as well as contemporary expressions like digital art, video art,
and installation art.
▪ Historical Role: Throughout history, creativity has driven the development
of artistic movements and styles.
CREATIVITY AND IMAGINATION IN ART
▪ 2. Problem-Solving and Emotional Exploration
▪ Problem-Solving: Creativity incorporates elements of problem-solving.
Artists find innovative solutions to express their vision.
▪ Emotional Exploration: Creativity allows artists to delve into their emotions,
translating them into their work.
▪ Unconscious Mind: Artists often access their unconscious mind, revealing
hidden layers of creativity.
CREATIVITY AND IMAGINATION IN ART
▪ 3. Examples of Artistic Creativity
▪ Leonardo da Vinci: His art, inventions, and scientific explorations showcase
unparalleled creativity.
▪ Shakespeare: His literature, plays, and sonnets demonstrate imaginative
storytelling.
▪ Mozart: His music compositions reveal genius creativity.
▪ Modern Classics: Contemporary artists contribute to creativity in design,
architecture, and cinema
EXPRESSION AND EMOTION IN ART
▪ 1. Expression and Emotion
▪ Art as Emotional Communication: Art serves as a powerful means of expressing
emotions, thoughts, and experiences.
▪ Subjective Responses: Each viewer interprets art through their unique emotional lens.
▪ Emotional Range: Art can evoke a wide spectrum of emotions: joy, sadness, anger,
nostalgia, awe, and more.
▪ Examples:
▪ Expressionism: This artistic style seeks to depict subjective emotions and responses
rather than objective reality. Artists like Edvard Munch (creator of “The Scream”)
exemplify this approach1.
▪ Van Gogh’s “Starry Night”: The swirling sky and vibrant colors convey both beauty and
inner turmoil.
▪ Picasso’s “Guernica”: This powerful anti-war painting expresses anguish and horror.
EXPRESSION AND EMOTION IN ART
▪ 2. Healing Through Art
▪ Psychological Research: Art
reduces stress, anxiety, depression,
and pain associated with illness.
▪ Accessing Buried Feelings: Art
helps individuals connect with and
express emotions that might
otherwise remain hidden.
▪ Doctors and Caregivers: Despite
warnings, acknowledging painful
feelings enhances healing and well-
being
ART AS COMMUNICATION
▪ 1. What is Art as Communication?
▪ Art, whether visual or otherwise, goes beyond mere depiction of real life.
▪ Just as music captures sounds beyond our everyday experience, visual art
communicates more than what we literally see.
▪ Artists use their work as a form of communication:
▪ They convey feelings, ideas, and arguments.
▪ These messages are understood through colors, shapes, symbols, allegories,
and other elements of what is called “visual rhetoric.”
▪ It’s not a neutral message; often, it reflects a particular perspective—either
the artist’s worldview or one they critique.
ART AS COMMUNICATION
▪ 2. How Does Communication in Art Occur?
▪ Artists use their preferred mediums (paintings, sculptures, music, etc.) to
communicate complex ideas and emotions.
▪ Elements of communication in art include:
▪ Symbols: Represent abstract concepts or emotions.
▪ Allegories: Stories or images with hidden meanings.
▪ Colors: Convey emotions (e.g., red for passion, blue for calmness).
▪ Mediums: The very material used (canvas, stone, etc.) communicates.
▪ Unlike words, these elements transcend language barriers, allowing diverse
audiences to engage with art.
ART AS COMMUNICATION
▪ 3. Examples of Art as
Communication
▪ “The Scream” by Edvard
Munch: Expresses existential
anxiety and inner turmoil.
▪ “Starry Night” by Vincent van
Gogh: Conveys beauty and
emotional intensity.
▪ “Guernica” by Pablo Picasso:
A powerful anti-war statement.
ARTISTIC VS. AESTHETIC APPRECIATION
▪ Aesthetic appreciation: Aesthetic appreciation refers to the ability to recognize
and delight in the beauty and value of art and other objects. It applies to both art
and non-art objects.
▪ Artistic Appreciation: Focuses specifically on works of art.

▪ Factors Influencing Aesthetic Appreciation:

▪ Personal or Cultural Background: Our upbringing, experiences, and
cultural context shape our aesthetic preferences.
▪ Familiarity: Exposure to certain styles or forms influences our appreciation.
▪ Context: The environment in which we encounter art affects our perception.
▪ Expertise: Knowledge about art enhances our ability to appreciate it.
ARTISTIC VS. AESTHETIC APPRECIATION
▪ Aesthetic Experience:
▪ Emotionally Positive: Aesthetic experiences evoke positive emotions.
▪ Human Artifacts and Natural Objects: Aesthetic appreciation extends to
both artworks (music, poetry, sculpture) and natural phenomena (sunsets,
landscapes).
▪ Enhancing Well-Being: Access to aesthetically interesting environments
contributes to our overall well-being
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