You are invited to reflect on the nature of art and its fundamental principles. Here is a chance for you to think and write as an expert on art theory. Two types of art are offered for a debate: Representation versus Abstraction; and the idea of context is presented (the time and place in which the artwork was created).
1. Watch these two video-talks:
2. In the Discussion Forum Unit 1, write a three (3) paragraph minimum essay identifying which type of art (representational or abstract) is more appealing to you and why. In your opinion, what major quality constitutes Art? How important is context in appreciating and understanding an artwork?
Listen attentively to the experts in the videos and learn from their informed discussion on how to analyze and critique a work of art. Build your text on the points they bring up in their talk and share your own take on the subject. Feel free to agree or disagree with them and your classmates but base your case on valid points and arguments.
Part 2
2. In the Discussion Forum Unit 1, write a three (3) paragraph minimum essay identifying which type of art (representational or abstract) is more appealing to you and why. In your opinion, what major quality constitutes Art? How important is context in appreciating and understanding an artwork?
Listen attentively to the experts in the videos and learn from their informed discussion on how to analyze and critique a work of art. Build your text on the points they bring up in their talk and share your own take on the subject. Feel free to agree or disagree with them and your classmates but base your case on valid points and arguments.
3. Then choose two art works from https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/. Click on the left menu bar.
You may choose by clicking on the “Projects” or “Artists” from the left menu bar.
4. Find an example of representational art and one abstract work.
5. List the a) name, b) artist, c) date and d) medium of the works. Please also copy and paste links to the art work (see tutorial on how to copy link).
6. Use these two works as examples in your essay to support your opinions and ideas about representation, abstraction and context in art.
7. Reply to at least two of your classmates. Your initial posting should be a minimum three (3) paragraphs in length, while your responses should be at least one (1) paragraph
I want you to write two responses, one for each of these paragraphs.
1)
The video describe two paintings, one by John Everlett Millias and the other by Barnett Newman. John’s painting was used as an example of a representational piece, while Barnett’s is an example of an abstract piece. Both paintings were beautiful, however I found that representational piece to be more appealing to me.
In the video the narrators express some of their opinions, some I agree while others I disagree. I disagreed the narrators when they explaining that they believed abstract art of harder than it appeared. Aside from Newman’s painting, I came across another abstract piece that I feel supports my feeling. The painting is “Abstract” by Ferruh Basaga. Abstract is an oil on canvas painting with no know date of when it was painted. https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/asset/abstract/dAEkjdf6l5QqZg
There were details explained by the narrators that I did agree with. When looking at a representational piece, I was astounded by the level of details that the artists goes into. Also, I love the realness that the artist is able to capture. For example, the painting “Young Girl Carrying a Pumpkin” By Fausto Zanaro, 1889. The painting is also another oil on canvas. https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/asset/young-girl-carrying-a-pumpkin/OQEbpbs_CyGilQ
Both paintings were oil on canvas, but to be the level of details and the skills portrayed by the artist are expressed more with the representational art. When I look at art, I like to imagine and see something that I couldn’t necessarily do. It is what I believe makes certain pieces special and more appreciative.
2)
Representational and Abstract
There are many different types of art. Throughout the ages, art has evolved in many ways. Two very popular and common types of art are representational and abstract work. Representational art references objects or real life things. Real world events can be considered representational art along with people, sceneries, etc. The painting of Girl in a Fur is a portrait of someone with all their real life qualities in a real life location. Abstract work does not attempt to represent reality. Instead it focuses on using shapes, forms, colors, textures, etc. In the painting of Abstract, the artist creates an art piece that includes a lot of lines and shapes while also including different shades of color.
I find Abstract Art very interesting. Not only is it appealing to the eye, but it also attracts my curiosity. Many artists are capable of turning something so simple into a totally new and completely different figure. With the way many artists combine shapes and colors, they are able to take the audience and make them see something completely different. Many might find a lot of the abstract work out there to be confusing. However, what I love about Abstract work is that they can make an image be so complex that it is different to each viewer that sees it.
In my opinion, the quality that Inspires people to think more conceptually both about day to day things as well as the bigger picture constitutes Art. The setting for which the art piece is found can change the entire perception of which the art is interpreted. Also, the surrounding art pieces can change the tone for perceiving the art pieces
Abstract Work:
https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/asset/abstract/dAEkjdf6l5QqZg
a) Abstract
b) Ferruh Basaga
c) Unknown
d) Oil on Canvas
Representational Art:
https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/asset/girl-in-a-fur/uAFWZO04aJE2SA
a) Girl in a Fur
b) Tiziano Vecellio (Titian)
c) 1530/1540
d) Oil on Canvas
