Which comes first, the art or the idea?

Some 20th-century artists pushed the limits of abstraction to the extreme. Once free of the perceived requirement to make representational art, they began to focus more on their ideas for what art could be. For some, the idea or concept became the most important part of the artwork. Since the 1960s, this type of art has been called conceptual art. Conceptual artists documented or diagrammed their ideas for various artworks. If they were interested in creating a physical object based on their plan, they either made it themselves or provided the instructions to other people to fabricate the piece as a drawing, painting, sculpture, or other work. Some conceptual artists simply display the plans, texts, or notationsas an artwork, which emphasizes the idea as the key part of their creative process.


Key Ideas of Conceptual Art

• The artist’s ideas are more important than the actual painting, sculpture, or object created.

• The use of language takes priority over visual experience.

• Artists criticized art-world institutions and society and wanted to create something outside of the system.


View the images and read the background information for:


1. Lawrence Weiner Bits & Pieces Put Together to Present a Semblance of a Whole
See More information @ http://schools.walkerart.org/swita/all2.html?ref=5:1



2. Sol LeWitt X with Columns
See More Information @ http://schools.walkerart.org/swita/all2.html?ref=5:2



3. On Kawara TODAY series
See More Information @ http://schools.walkerart.org/swita/all2.html?ref=5:3

From the Walker Art Center's website "So, Why is this Art?"
http://schools.walkerart.org/swita/switaact5.html

Discussion questions:
What do you think is more important, the idea behind an artwork or the actual work of art?

Conceptual art is a style of art that includes a wide variety of ideas and media. The emphasis on the artist’s thoughts and ideas led some to consider any activity or thought as a potential artwork. One of the goals of conceptual artists was to expand the scope of what art could be. In some cases, artists considered everything in life to be a work of art. Do you agree or disagree with these artists? Why or why not?

Respond in a post with your name and hour for a chance for extra credit.

Should Art Be Realistic?

1 2 3

Realistic art depicts or represents the visual world as closely as possible. Since the Renaissance in Europe until the beginning of the modern era, art has been valued for qualities that create an illusion of reality, such as light and shadow, proportion, and perspective. Many artists during this period were trained according to these ideals. Most people admire the work of a highly skilled artist in the traditional sense: one who faithfully reproduces realistic scenes. This ability was a major source of artistic success in the past, particularly before the invention of photography. Even today, many judge art by its true-to-life quality, which can make appreciating artwork that
is nonrepresentational more challenging.

The idea of abstraction, in which artists alter the visual qualities of a subject, was a major development in modern art. There are many degrees of abstraction in art.
Some artists made small changes in the look of their subject matter by simplifying or exaggerating colors or shapes. In these works, the subject can often still be recognized. Others created images that do not realistically represent any object. This type of abstract art may be called nonrepresentational or nonobjective art. It may be composed of basic geometric shapes and forms or a complex arrangement of colors, shapes, textures, and lines.

From the Walker Art Center's website "So, Why is this Art?" http://schools.walkerart.org/swita/switaact4.html

Which work above do you think is Representational? Abstracted? Non-Objective? Why?

“All works of art are by their very nature abstract.”
Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why or why not?

Do you think it takes more or less artistic skill to create abstract art? What type of art do you think requires more creative ability?

Reply to these questions in a comment. Make sure to put your first name and hour.

Does Art Have to Tell a Story?

For centuries, philosophers and artists believed that art must tell a story or have important meaning. In order to fully appreciate the artwork, viewers had to “read” this story from the image and understand its meaning.

Andy Warhol: 16 Jackies

In the 1700s, philosopher Sir Joshua Reynolds stated that great art must tell a major story. He even described the acceptable themes—Greek and Roman mythology and material from the Bible. Subjects such as portraits, landscapes, and still lifes were less important in art. While this may seem old fashioned today, many people still believe that art should express some great idea or tell a story. Therefore, to fully appreciate and understand a work of art, viewers must understand the message behind the work.

Jacques Lipchitz: Prometheus Strangling the Vulture II

This concern for meaning in art expanded in the mid-1800s. Some artists rejected the major art subjects and instead depicted scenes of everyday life and common objects. Others began to reject realistic work altogether and explored other types of images. As the messages became less obvious, viewers were challenged to decipher a story or understand the meaning of the work.

George Segal: The Diner

From the Walker Art Center's website "So, Why is this Art?" http://schools.walkerart.org/swita/switaact2.html

For one of these works, write a brief story about what you think is happening from the point of view of one of the people in the image. Look for visual clues in the artwork to help you add details to your story.

Turn it in to Ms. Ridlen for the chance to earn extra credit. If it is high quality work, you could earn up to 15 extra credit points.

Should Art be Beautiul?

People respond emotionally and intellectually to visual images, often recognizing characteristics that make a something seem beautiful without even thinking about it. Philosophers call the reaction to an appealing quality an aesthetic response. Aesthetic responses may vary from person to person, and individuals often have different ideas about what makes an artwork beautiful. Some people respond to certain subjects because they associate them with pleasure. Others may find a particular combination of lines, colors, and shapes appealing without understanding the meaning of the artwork.

In the 1700s and 1800s, European philosophers and art schools (called academies) developed formulas to analyze and create beautiful works of art. Understanding compositional elements such as balance, unity, rhythm, and harmony became a formula to guide artists as they created works. By following these rules, they could learn to produce beautiful artworks that many so-called untrained artists could not.

Judged by these traditional standards, many contemporary artworks would not be described as beautiful or pleasurable. Then why are they considered art? Contemporary artists often want viewers to think about art in a different way, beyond the traditional rules of beauty. For many, it is more important that the works are interesting, thought-provoking, and challenging.

From the Walker Art Center's website "So, Why is this Art?" http://schools.walkerart.org/swita/switaact2.html

Should Art Be Beautiful?

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

* What does this saying mean?

* How does it apply to our question “What is art?”

Address these questions by leaving a comment.

Supply Shopping

Tips:
Most supplies can be bought at places like Target or Office Max. The one item I know gives people trouble is the OIL PASTELS. These you will have to find at an Art Supply store such as Michael's or Hobby Lobby. Be extra careful that you are buying OIL PASTELS not chalk pastels, sometimes called pastels, hard pastels, or soft pastels. If in doubt, don't open them. Bring them in and let me see them. You can exchange them if they aren't what you'll need.

Parents: Many Thanks for taking the time to go out for these supplies. They will definitely enhance the enjoyment of art for your child.