What is Art?

by: Marilina Maraviglia

Art is a highly diverse range of human activities engaged in creating visual,

auditory, or performed artifacts— artworks—that expresses the author’s imaginative or
technical skill, and is intended to be appreciated for their beauty or emotional power.

The oldest documented forms of art are visual arts, which include images or
objects in fields like painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and other visual
media. Architecture is often included as one of the visual arts; however, like the
decorative arts, it involves the creation of objects where the practical considerations of
use are essential, in a way that they usually are not in another visual art, like a painting.

Art may be characterized in terms of mimesis (its representation of reality),

expression, communication of emotion, or other qualities. Though the definition of what
constitutes art is disputed and has changed over time, general descriptions center on
the idea of imaginative or technical skill stemming from human agency and creation.
When it comes to visually identifying a work of art, there is no single set of values or
aesthetic traits. A Baroque painting will not necessarily share much with a contemporary
performance piece, but they are both considered art.

Despite the seemingly indefinable nature of art, there have always existed certain
formal guidelines for its aesthetic judgment and analysis. Formalism is a concept in art
theory in which an artwork’s artistic value is determined solely by its form, or how it is
made. Formalism evaluates works on a purely visual level, considering medium and
compositional elements as opposed to any reference to realism, context, or content.

Art is often examined through the interaction of the principles and elements of
art. The principles of art include movement, unity, harmony, variety, balance, contrast,
proportion and pattern. The elements include texture, form, space, shape, color, value
and line. The various interactions between the elements and principles of art help artists
to organize sensorially pleasing works of art while also giving viewers a framework
within which to analyze and discuss aesthetic ideas.

A Glimpse into Art Appreciation

Appreciation of the visual arts goes beyond staring at a painting hanging on the
wall of a museum—art is in everything and everywhere you look. Opening your eyes to
the world of art is essential in understanding the world around you. Art is more than
pretentious museums; only a few enter and comprehend. Instead, art appreciation is:

● Gaining the knowledge to understand the art.

 ● Acquire the art methods and materials to discuss art verbally or by the written
word.
● Ability to identify the movements from ancient cultures to today's contemporary
art.
● Learning how to appreciate art is a necessary cultural foundation enabling
people to critically analyze art, art forms, and how cultures used art. All it takes to
understand the art is just to look!

Art appreciation centers on the ability to view art throughout history, focusing on
the cultures and the people, and how art developed in the specific periods. It is difficult
to understand art without understanding the culture, their use of materials, and a sense
of beauty. Art is conveyed by the simple act of creating art for art's sake. Every person
is born with the innate desire to create art, and similar to other professions, training is
essential in honing skills to produce art. Art education broadens a person's
comprehension, development, and visions of art. Art brings an understanding of
diversity, how people lived in the past, and connects the issues concerning
contemporary life and art today.

The history of the world is similarly the history of art, continually intertwined. For
millions of years, as humans roamed the earth, evolution, and environment shaped
many different cultures depending on location, weather, natural resources, and food.
These cultures formed the foundation of all art today. Art appreciation analyzes art
using the methods and materials, allowing people to make connections to the context of
art and the interactions of societies.

It is difficult to understand the art without understanding the culture.

The Importance of Art Appreciation

The term art encompasses a large variety of works, from paintings to sculptures,
architecture to design, and in modern times, digital art. Everyone can appreciate and
marvel at art, and being subjective in nature, different art forms appeal to different
people. Art appreciation, however, refers to the exploration and analysis of the art forms
that we are exposed to. It can be highly subjective, depending on an individual's
personal tastes and preferences, or can be done on the basis of several grounds such
as elements of design and mastery displayed in the piece. Art appreciation also involves
a deeper look into the setting and historical implication and background of the piece, a
study of its origins.

Art Appreciation, Jennard Galleries, Art is dynamic, with new trends and styles
emerging at a fast pace. However, the final attempt of the artist is that it speaks to the
viewer on a personal level and can be interpreted in a variety of ways. Art opens up the
stream of subconscious and intends to personally touch every person that comes
across it.
 Art appreciation is extremely relevant for multiple reasons. It is a good way to
understand the history behind the work, and the period from which the piece originated.
Artists often reflect the problems that they face, and the issues of the society in their
work. By analyzing and putting ourselves in the mind of the artist, we can better study
how differently society functioned then, compared to now. We can empathize and relate
to the problems they faced on a personal level.

Art is meant to stimulate thought and conversation between its viewers. By

reflecting on a piece of art, we delve into our own experiences and nostalgia, thus a
piece of art means something different to every person that comes across it. Art
appreciation helps open up the mindset of the people, by listening to different
perspectives and views as well as interpretations of the art; it encourages thoughtful
conversation and the understanding that there is more than one approach to everything.

For many people, art is meant to express something that we ourselves feel
unable to express or convey. Through its visual medium it evokes feelings of joy,
sadness, anger and pain. That is why art appreciation is so important in bringing that
one final element to complete the work, and that is our interpretation. Our perspective
brings the artwork to life as it changes for every person around it.

It is important to foster art appreciation and analysis, as it helps us value the art
in how it appeals to us and what it means to each person. It delves into the history and
the story behind the art, as well as a look into the lives of the artists. It enables one to
critically analyze a work, along lines of design, mastery and techniques. Most
importantly, however, art appreciation stimulates thought and analysis, provokes an
individual to look past what meets the eye and open our mind to the views of others.

Why Study Art Appreciation?

Art history professors may disagree with me on this, but I believe the real value
of a great art appreciation course is not found in the memorization of artists’ names,
artwork titles, dates, and places. Nor is it becoming familiar with artistic movements like
Romanticism, Pointillism, or any other ism. Although knowing those things will certainly
help you make the grade and keep your professor happy, in the long run, I believe you
gain the most from your insights into the human condition and the opportunity to
mentally travel through space and time.

Through studying masterpieces created by the world’s most renowned artists

throughout history, you have access to perspectives, stories, and inspiration which have
helped shape our civilization. After all, what could be better than learning about life,
love, spirituality, politics, history, fantasy, and culture than through an artistic expression
skillfully executed by a master craftsman?
 Art is often said to be an expression of the soul. It is this expression which
speaks directly to our desires to understand that which makes us human. Vincent van
Gogh said, “I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all my heart.” How many people
attack their own lives and careers with that same focus and passion?

Art appreciation bridges the gap that lies between the heart and the head by
connecting us to something much bigger than ourselves. We examine the architecture,
illustrations, paintings, and sculptures that introspectively transport us to another time
and place while portraying a range of human experiences from victory to defeat and
apathy to empathy. By seeking to understand an artists’ message, we become attuned
to the emotions of others, thereby giving us a greater ability to empathize despite the
lack of environmental, cultural, or socioeconomic similarities.

According to the US Department of State, in 2016 less than half of our eligible
citizens held a valid passport. The National Travel & Tourism Office reports only 10% of
the US population travelled overseas; excluding Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Say we estimate half of that 10% travelled for business purposes, then only 5%
travelled with the goal to see and experience the world and its diverse cultures — many
of which were directly responsible for producing the very work featured in our art history
textbooks. With such limited first-hand exposure to profound work, which directly
reflects the origins of our culture, doesn’t it make sense for art appreciation to be a
required course in higher education?

As you can imagine, the majority of people in the United States are not able to
fully experience such treasures in person, such as the delicate features of the Mona
Lisa, the overwhelming beauty inside the Sistine Chapel, or see the Venus de Milo in
the round. However, this inaccessibility shouldn’t stop us from immersing ourselves as
best we can in a world meant to enrich and enlighten us. I encourage you to explore the
art galleries at Marian University. They are open to the public and feature a variety of
professional and student work throughout the year. We are just a few minutes from the
front doors of the Indianapolis Museum of Art, where you can get so close to the work of
world famous artists that you can see their brush strokes. Of course, art isn’t only found
in galleries or museums, but is all around us. You just have to look for it. I hope that
when you see it, you’ll remember the lessons you walked away with from your brief stop
in art appreciation.

Art Criticism

Art criticism is analyzing and evaluating works of art. As art critics, when we look
at a painting, sculpture, or other form of art, we don't approach it as something that we
like or dislike. We view it in a business-like way.

For example, does the artwork represent a particular era, movement, or style? In
approaching art criticism, just think of yourself as a detective. In other words, what
makes art 'art'?
 Thus, being able to critique art by utilizing the art elements, principles of design,
and correct terminology is very important for students. To assist students in being
successful in this endeavor, we are including a four step process for art criticism. These
are valuable questions that can be used to critique any piece of art. If you use these
four steps and answer questions listed under each, you will have a comprehensive
method to critique any piece of art. This process will take some time for students to
learn and be comfortable using. Results will be better if you display a piece of art and
then work one section at a time, such as “describe”.

Art criticism involves four basic steps, including:

● Look at the obvious
● Analyze the artwork
● Decide on an interpretation
● Make a judgment call

1. Look at the Obvious

In the course of your daily life, you'll most likely have to provide others with some
general information about yourself, such as your name, address, or school. When
critiquing an art piece, you'll be looking for that same type of information about the artist.

For example, what's the name of the piece? What's the name of the artist? What
country was he or she from? What medium did the artist use, such as paint, clay, film,
or other type of material?

Tell what you see (the visual facts).

1. What is the name of the artist who created the artwork?
2. What kind of artwork is it?
3. What is the name of the artwork?
4. When was the artwork created?
5. Name some other major events in history that occurred at the same time this
artwork was created.
6. List the literal objects in the painting (trees, people, animals, mountains, rivers, etc.).
7. What do you notice first when you look at the work(s)? Why?
8. What kinds of colors do you see? How would you describe them?
9. What shapes can we see? What kind of edges do the shapes have?
10. Are there lines in the work(s)? If so, what kinds of lines are they?
11. What sort of textures do you see? How would you describe them/
12. What time of day/night is it? How can we tell?
13. What is the overall visual effect or mood of the work(s)?

2. Analyze the Artwork

 Next you have to describe the piece of art in terms of its subject matter, color,
and style. For example, if you're looking at a painting, do you see people, a landscape,
or an object? Let's say you see a woman. Is she smiling? Is she frowning? What is she
wearing? Is she doing anything?
Check out the color palette, which is a spectrum of colors used by the artist.
Sometimes you can tell from the color during which century the piece was created. Do
you see pastels, or do you see bright colors? Maybe you see more muted tones.
Look at the style. Style refers to a particular type of movement, such as Art
Nouveau or Cubism. If the woman is very realistic, you may want to look at periods prior
to 1910. If you sort of see a woman, but she is made up of cubes, you might suspect
that the picture was painted in the 1910s or 1920s during the Cubist period of art.

Mentally separate the parts or elements, thinking in terms of textures,

shapes/forms, light/dark or bright/dull colors, types of lines, and sensory qualities. In this
step consider the most significant art principles that were used in the artwork.

Describe how the artist used them to organize the elements. Suggested
questions to help with analysis:
1. How has the artist used colors in the work(s)?
2. What sort of effect do the colors have on the artwork?
3. How as the artist used shapes within the work of art?
4. How have lines been used in the work(s)? Has the artist used them as an
important or dominant part of the work, or do they play a different role?
5. What role does texture play in the work(s)? Has the artist used the illusion of
texture or has the artist used actual texture? How has texture been used within the
work(s).
6. How has the artist used light in the work(s)? Is there the illusion of a scene with
lights and shadows, or does the artist use light and dark values in a more
abstracted way?
7. How has the overall visual effect or mood of the work(s)? been achieved by the
use of elements of art and principles of design.
8. How were the artists design tools used to achieve a particular look or focus?

3. Decide on an Interpretation
Now that you've examined the artwork, what does it all mean? John Q. Public
would like to hear what you think is going on in the painting. Sometimes your
interpretation may be more straightforward; other times, you'll be calling John's attention
to a hidden meaning. For instance, Salvador Dalí, the surrealist painter, specialized in
hidden meanings, which stem from sexual trauma to science and religion.

An interpretation seeks to explain the meaning of the work based on what

you have learned so far about the artwork, what do you think the artist was trying
to say?
1. What was the artist’s statement in this work?
2. What do you think it means?
3. What does it mean to you?
4. How does this relate to you and your life?
5. What feelings do you have when looking at this artwork?
6. Do you think there are things in the artwork that represent other things-symbols?
7. Why do you think that the artist chose to work in this manner and made these
kinds of artistic decisions?
8. Why did the artist create this artwork?

4. Make a Judgment Call

Last, but not least, an art critic needs to make a judgment call. For example, what
did you think of the artwork? In this step you have to go beyond 'I like it', 'I love it', or
even 'I hate it'.

In making your judgment call, you need to ask yourself if the work was
successful. For instance, did it convey the message the artist intended? Was the
composition, color, and line quality successful in, say, representing Bauhaus, Swiss
Design, or Art Nouveau? In art criticism, judgment is never personal; it is about
interpreting the art and whether the art communicates a message to the audience.

After careful observation, analysis, and interpretation of an artwork, you are

ready to make your own judgment. This is your personal evaluation based on the
understanding of the work(s).

Here are questions you might consider:

1. Why do you think that this work has intrinsic value or worth? What is the value
that you find in the work(s)? (For example, it is a beautiful work of art, conveys an
important social message, affects the way that I see the world, makes insightful
connections, reaffirms a religious belief, etc.)

2. Do you think that the work(s) has a benefit for others? Do you find that the work
communicates an idea, feeling or principle that would have value for others?

3. What kind of an effect do you think the work could have for others?

4. Does the work lack value or worth? Why do you think this is so? Could the reason
you find the work lacking comes from a poor use of the elements of art? Could the
subject matter by unappealing, unimaginative, or repulsive?
5. Rather than seeing the work as being very effective or without total value, does the
work fall somewhere in-between? Do you think that the work is just o.k.? What do you
base this opinion on? The use of elements of art? Lack of personal expression? The
work lacks a major focus? Explore your criticism of the work(s) as much as you would
any positive perceptions. Realize that your own tastes and prejudices may affect your
criticism. Give your positive and negative perceptions.