Art Know: Definitions of Art, Research Paper Example

Definition 1

Whether art is or is not ceteris paribus an integral part of human society remains undecided. Philosophers have long pondered creativity as art; a ‘universal’ feature of human society. Where societies possess the concept of Art, manifestation of this tendency is seen not only in the individual mind but also in certain institutions or social practices. Although institutional practice is parochial, the socio-cultural formation of such an instance is contextual. Finally, the semiotic praxis inherent within the concept of art can may be understood as either synchronic or diachronic – in that recognizable dialogue between the skills of artificer and spectator can be transmitted, and throughout time.

Art. Grove Art Online. Oxford Art Online. Retrieved from: http://www.oxfordartonline.com

Definition 2

Art a process or product of affect and the deliberation of the senses. Encompassing a diverse range of human activities, broad categories of artistic production include: music, literature, film, photography, sculpture, and paintings. Philosophical query into the ‘meaning’ of Art is examined through theories in aesthetics. Historically, Art was a form of mastery or craft skill. Transformation of this idea emerged after the early 18^th century when artistic practices came to be understood as innate human ‘talent’ rather than mere craft. Hence, the contemporary, classificatory distinction of Art as a set of epistemic teleologies parallel to religion and science.

Art. Artlex.com. Retrieved from: http://www.artlex.com/

Painting

Description: Braque, Georges (1910). Violon et Compotier. SF MOMA.

A well known example of early twentieth century European, Analytical Cubism, Braque’s work employ’s the ‘revolutionary style’ initiated by Pablo Picasso in a break with traditional Renaissance perspective. Fragmentation characterizes the work, and signifies the shift to multiple vantage points within painting.

URL: http://www.sfmoma.org/artwork/89

Sculpture

Description: Boccioni, Umberto (1913). Unique Forms of Continuity in Space. Modern Museum of Art, New York.

Forged with the principles of dynamism and energy, Boccioni’s work follows the early twentieth century, Italian Modernist, Futurist Manifesto. Designed to depict movement and speed, the silhouette is ‘evocative of an ancient statue’ yet alludes to the sleek machinery of modern industry – the solution to the world for Boccioni and other Futurist artists.

URL: http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?object_id=81179

Architecture

Description: Johnson, Phillip (1949). Glass House. New Canaan, Connecticut.

While Bauhaus architecture had been concerned with the social aspects of design, America’s International Style became a symbolism of Capitalism: It is the favored architecture for office buildings, and upscale homes. The Glass House has been called one of the world’s most beautiful and yet least functional homes. Johnson did not envision it as a place to live so much as a stage and a statement.

URL: http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Johnson_House.html

Photography

Description: Lemeiux, Annette (1991). Black Mass. De Appel & Galerie Montenay, Paris.

Neo-conceptualist in orientation, Lemeiux’ works provoke inquiry into human loss, and the persistence of misery as a core aspect of existence. Her photography is ideological in focus, rather than stylistic or technical priority.

URL: http://www.deappel.nl/exhibitions/e/246/

Printmaking

Description: Reid, Jamie (1977). God Save the Queen. The Sex Pistols. Virgin Records, London.

Originally a record album cover for the British Punk Rock Band, The Sex Pistols pastiche imagery in Reid’s print work for the band pronounces radical dissemination of art as politics; a defaced composition of Queen Elizabeth II, illustrating the integral nature of allegiance to the crown contained in blaspheme – despite offence of lèse majesté.

URL: http://www.virginrecords.com/

Conceptual Art

Description: Duchamp, Marcel (1951). Bicycle, MOMA, NYC

Dadaism presented the convention of Conceptualism in Modern Art in the mid-twentieth century. Invested in the idea of ‘Readymade,’ Duchamp’s works are comprised of ‘inventions’ constituted by way of assemblage of irrational object combinations. Intended to craft a ‘non-functioning’ machine, the Bicycle subverts established notions of Modernity’s field of logic for viewers.

URL: http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?object_id=81631

Installation Art

Description: Creed, Martin (2000). Lights Going Off. Tate Etc., London.

In Creed’s work we are exposed to the absence of installation – the true definition of minimalism in ‘installation art’ and elimination of installed art in space. Creed’s work draws attention to the radical insistence of space over content. The viewer is directed to engagement with this space as a work in itself shifts our response to environmental  arrangement.

URL: http://www.tate.org.uk/tateetc/issue3/butisitinstallationart.htm

Performance Art

Description: http://channel.tate.org.uk/media/26702572001

In 2006, Kathe Kollwitz’s talk on Frida Kahlo on the Guerrilla Girls at the Tate Modern & Open University Days offered the British Public a retrospect on New York Bitch Culture. Instigated by the follies of feminist art historians in the former colony, the UK was invited to join in their activist rubric with the following introduction, “We’re feminist masked avengers in the tradition of anonymous do-gooders like Robin Hood, Wonder Woman and Batman. How do we expose sexism, racism and corruption in politics, art, film and pop culture?

URL: http://channel.tate.org.uk/media/26702572001

References

Art. Grove Art Online. Oxford Art Online. Retrieved from: http://www.oxfordartonline.com

Art. Wikipedia. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art

ArtLex Art Dictionary. Retrieved from: http://www.artlex.com

Creativity Portal: Art Appreciation. Retrieved from: http://www.creativity-portal.com/howto/artscrafts/art.appreciation.html

Encarta Art Concepts and Terms. Retrieved from: http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761556523/Art.html

It’s About Art: Online Art Appreciation Course. Retrieved from: http://arthistory.about.com/library/weekly/aa012201a.htm

Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism. Retrieved from: http://www.temple.edu/jaac/

MuseumStuff.com. Retrieved from: http://www.museumstuff.com/