What is Art?
Art is considered many different things for each person. Basically it’s a visual representation of its creator’s deepest understanding.
Why do we create art?
We create art for different reasons, some artists do it for fame and money. Some artists do it to show their opinion about politics or religion, but most do it because they love it.
What sets an artist apart?
All artists are very original. They have their own style. If an artist is walking on a street: he observes everything around him, looking for something new, for his (or hers) painting, or sculpture, or film, or installation.
What is the basic function of art throughout the ages?
Basically art stops time, to show what’s happening in the moment the artist is making it. To convey the environment of society, and relationship of all animals and nature. Also can secure immortality.
An artwork is composed of
The three main components of an artwork are “Form” the “how”(medium, technique, texture), “Subject” the “what” (idea, place, person, flower), and “Content” the “why” (spiritual, intellectual, emotional). Combining to produce organic unity.
The Evolution of “Form”
Art tools and media: The elements of art are Line, Shape, Value, Texture, and Color. The elements are combined to bring Harmony, Balance, Movement, to create a unifying space.
“Subject” matter and Style
There are several categories of subject matter; narrative (storytelling), biblical, religious (sacred), landscapes (natural environment), cityscape (urban environment), seascape (sea views), historical (war, victory, events), figure (human figure), portrait (known, unknown person), self portrait, genre scenes (everyday life), social comment (visual statement about society), animals, expression (personal emotional feeling), abstraction (simplification of subject matter into basic shapes), non objective (fully abstract composed elements, principles of art). Style is the combination of form and content characteristics that make a work distinctive.
Pre-Historic Art “Paleolithic” and “Neolithic”
A beautiful love letter from our Stone Age Ancestors, Venus of Willendorf (modern day Austria). Paleolithic (Paleo:Old Lithos:Stone) Old Stone Age dating back 80,000 years BCE, and Neolithic (New Stone Age)
The Pech Merle cave in France “Spotted Horse” dating back 29,000 years. https://en.pechmerle.com
Cliff Paintings found in Colombia 12,500 years ago, crafted by the people that crossed the bering land bridge connecting Alaska to Asia 13,000 years ago.
Shaman and Magic
Person thought to have special powers, spirit contacts, see future. Magic infused into stone tools in process of making them. Mysterious forces of nature.
Tools: First implements humans made “purpose”. Magic infused into stone tools in the process of making them. Markings on tools: patterns reflecting lunar constellations.
Body Painting the first form of art, Sculpture second form of art, and Painting is a third form of art.
Mesopotamian Art
Egyptian Art
Aegean Art
Greek Art