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Nature of Art
Art is everywhere
Art is a signifying practice which is grounded in society and history
o Art has its own specificity – has own standards
o Material aspects of art (signifier “product”) <-> Conceptual aspects of art
(signified “ideas”)
The work of art is viewed in dialogic situation of the work and its viewer
o Art is not purely self-referential – Art work <-> Viewer / Listener
Art serves as a means of communication bet the art itself and the viewer
Subjects of Art
Subject – refers to any person, object, scene or event described or represented in a
work of art
o Ex: what is the subject in Spolarium? Ans: the event
Types of Subjects
Still life – collection of inanimate objects arranged together in a specific way
Landscapes – natural scenery such as mountains, cliffs, rivers etc.
Nature – focused view or interpretation of specific natural events
Portraiture – an image of a particular person, animal, group
Abstract – a non-representational work of art, subject is visual “sensous” elements
Note: some arts have subjects, others do not
Functions of Art
Non-motivated functions – does not fulfill a function outside the precepts of humans,
integral to humans, innate
o Basic human instinct for harmony, balance, rhythm
o Experience the mysterious
o Expression of the imagination
o Ritualistic & symbolic function
Ex: Urge to fill vacuum or emptiness, go to church : establish a connection
Art provides a link
Not through grammatical ways – expressed through symbols -> explore
the realm of imagination
Every society has own culture w/ rituals expressed thru symbols
Motivated functions – purpose, something to achieve, given by environment
o Communication – every artist would communicate w/ its viewers
Illustrative arts such as maps
o Art as entertainment – movies
o Art for social inquiry, subversion, and/or anarchy
Political agenda, social impact
Street art in walls, gates
Calling for action, sympathy
o Art for social causes
Social concerns
AIDS victims – raise funds
Advocacy for African children
o Art for psychological and healing purposes
Help those with trauma
Yolanda – give art materials (to draw their experiences)
Help release the tension and fears
o Art for propaganda or communication
Politics
Business
Billboards
Bench – model brands
Artist vs Artisan
Reading the Image
Name of the artist
Name of the work
Period or movement of a work
Medium of the work – refer to forms and medium of art
Date of the work
Original location
Current location
Identification of key figures in the work -
Art history vocabulary -
Influences on the artist
Original setting of the work
Patron
Symbolism