Artists help people to view the world in different ways
Artists help to keep the record of the key events that happened in different periods in the world history for example Fig. 1-29 Andy warhol, Race Riot, 1963.
Artists make functional objects and structures like buildings more pleasurable by imbuing them with meaning.
Artists give form to the material and uncovering hidden meanings
Question 2
Picasso is mostly referred to as one of the most influential modern artists. Les Demoiselles d'Avignon means The Young Ladies of Avignon and is one of the most renowned artistic works that has been done in the history of art. The painting is a large oil work of art painted in 1907 by the Spanish based artist Pablo Picasso. The painting is present in most museums and the pictures have varied meanings to the viewers. The art is mainly known by its portrayal of o0f five naked female prostitutes from one of the areas in Barcelona, the Avignon Street. Each drawing is presented in a disturbing confrontational manner and none of the figures is conservatively feminine. From the pictures, the women are demonstrated as slightly menacing and rendered with disjointed and angular body shapes. The figures have been given different features because the three pictures on the left indicate facial features in the Iberian style of the artist’s native. On the other hand, the two figures on the right are portrayed with features that appear like African masks. The racial primitivism elicited in the mask was the main reason why Picasso was moved to liberate an absolutely original artistic style of convincing, even vicious force. The features of the painting show how Picasso was unique for example the abandoning of the perspective of preferring flat, and two-dimensional picture plane. Through the style, the artists make a major step from the traditional European art. The work that is commonly described as proto-cubist painting is commonly considered to be seminal in the early development of contemporary art and cubism. The unique features of Picasso’s work elicited divergent opinions from other artists particularly his close associates who viewed it differently however, the painting is considered as a key factor that led to the revolution that led to the development of the modern art.
The African masks are used to demonstrate the differences in the cultural practices between the African people and other communities across the world for example in Europe. The use of the masks in the painting play a significant role and their use in the painting was triggered by a number of factors. The masks were majorly used to evoke racial primitivism because they indicated how differences in race are viewed by various groups. According to Picasso, the African masks were used by Picasso and moved him to release an absolutely original artistic style of captivating even savage force. The masks were also used to make his work unique from what a majority of the European artists that came before Picasso had done.
The painting elicited criticism from various groups of artists due to its controversial and revolutionary nature that led to widespread disagreement and anger. Some critics described the work as a bad joke because the painting was characterized by new features that were not dominant in the European artistic works. Since the work was destined to cause a revolution in art, many artists disliked the painting because they were not ready for the new revolution. The controversy emerged through the depiction of the unique features that were associated with the painting and how the nude figures were presented. Cubism is an art movement of the early 20th century that brought the European sculptures and paintings historically forward towards the 20th century modern art. The movement was spearheaded by Georges Braque, Pablo Picasso, and other groups of artists that joined the movement later to push for a common agenda.
Question 3
When a person views a painting, his or her perception of the work either makes the individual want to continue seeing it or walk away. The creation of a painting to be visually passive or active determines the perceptions of the viewer and how they respond to it. The differences between active and passive paintings lie in how the details of the painting are demonstrated. Active seeing involves clear observation of vivid colors, bold textures, and strong contrasts. On the other hand, passive seeing is characterized more neutral colors, smoother textures, as well as closer value relationships. One example of active painting by Pablo Picasso is Family of Saltimbanques. An example of a passive figure is Blue Nude.
Question 4
Nude Descending a Staircase, No. 2is a painting that was done by Marcel Duchamp in 1912. The work is classified among the arts that led to the revolution that was experienced in art and is widely regarded as a modernist classic and has become one of the most appreciated and known arts of its period. The work is important in art because it shows some of the factors that were c0onsidederd before an art work was accepted by cubists. The work was first rejected because the members of the movement considered it too futurist. The painting is also significant in art because it was a demonstration of how the future would look like. The painting has some similarities as well as differences with other works like Richard Serra’s Tilted Arch, of 1981. Tilted Arch is known as a provocative installation of public art that has transformed the space and improved the contemporary art. A similar aspect between the two works is that they depicted the future of art and they have played a significant role in the revolution that has occurred in art since early 20th century. Both works encountered criticisms from particular groups for their focus on the future art. Their features did not resonate with what many expected in art. The public ought to find appreciation in the avant-garde works because of the roles they have played to influence the future of art particularly painting and sculpture.
Question 5
Tilted Arch was considered by many as a controversial work for several reasons. The work was located in Foley Federal Plaza in Manhattan. The sculpture was in the location from 1981 to 1989. The features of the work is a main point of interest for many lovers of art. The work of art was 120 feet long, 12 feet high structure, and with an unfinished plate of rust covered steel. Controversy about the sculpture started its installation and removal from its point in the city’s Federal Plaza. Tilted Arch has been a major point of discussions concern the purposes of public art. The art was labelled by the city residents as well as the media as the worst public sculpture. One of the key reasons for the controversy was that it was viewed as an example of the elitisms connected with art and as a hindrance to the many uses that the plaza was designed for and for enjoyment purposes. The removal of the sculpture was not fare because a majority of the people that advocated for the removal did not appreciate the role of art. The issue was also influenced by the media coverage and depiction without considering its role in the future of art.
Question 6
The uses of the American flag in art demonstrates that the symbol can be used to mean different things. One of the commonly covered example in which an American flag is used in art is by Japer Jones in 1954. The American flag is considered as the most important symbols in America and its use in art elicits varied opinio0ns about what could be the message that the art is trying to communicate. The use of the flag by Japer Jones has also resulted in various socio-political interpretations through the artist’s repeated depictions of the flag. The artist leaves the role to interpret the meaning of the flag to the viewer where people derive different meanings from the work. Another painting that uses the American flag is God Bless America by Faith Ringgold. An analysis of the painting reveals the different meanings of the flag. The art has a strong connection with history because the interpretations covers the important events that have happened in history of America. The art has a connection to the Civil Rights Movement. According to the painting, the American flag is depicted as a prison cell. The art was done when there were rampant cases of white prejudice against the Black Americans and the case were enforced by the legal system. The star of the flag has been shown as the budge of a sheriff, the white and red strips have been transformed into the black bars of the jail.
Question 7
The most interesting arts from the video and the book is Shirin Neshat, Rebellious Silence, from the series Women of Allah, 1994. The painting shows the position of women in the Iranian society. The writings on the face demonstrates that women have no voice within the society and they only show their concern through their faces. An observation of the face shows what the women go through. The main reason for doing art is for her to paint the true picture of what women goes through in her country of origin Iran. Her role in using art to bring out the real picture of women in Iranian society has forced her to flee from her country and live in exile where she cannot go back to her country.
Question 8
Representational art
Representational art is a general term that means a sculpture or painting that can be clearly recognized for what it claims to be. The art demonstrates all identifiable objects or series of items as well as their physical appearance in reality. An example of a representational art in the chapter is Fig. 1-5 Edwardo Manet, Olympia, 1863.
Abstract Art
Abstract art applies visual language of form, shape, line, and color to create a composition which may exist with a range of independence from visual variations in the world. The art does not attempt to represent an exact portrayal of a visual reality but it applies the shapes, colors, gestural marks and other representations to realize its effect. Example of abstract art in the chapter is Fig. 1-12 Pablo Picasso, Study for Les Demoiselles d’Avignon: Head of the Squatting Demoiselle, 1907.
Nonobjective Art
Nonobjective art is a type of non-representational or abstract art that tends to be geometric and does not depict particular people, objects, or any other thing found in the natural world. An example of nonobjective art in the text is Fig. 1-26 Marcel Duchamp, Nude Descending a Staircase, No. 2, 1912.
Question 9
Iconography refers to a branch of history of art that studies the description, identification, as well as the interpretation of the content images through analyzing the subjects demonstrated, the specific compositions, the details used to compose a work of art, in addition to other aspects that are distinct from artistic style. Some of the symbols used in the art by Jan Van Eyck in his painting “Giovanni Arnolfini and His Wife” include figures and marriage, the mirror and other objects. The headdress of the women ius a symbolism of a married person. The position of the woman in thro om for example standing near the bed depicts the domestic roles of a woman. The position of the man near the window is a symbolism of his roles in the outside world. The joining of hands is also a sign of marriage. The mirror in the room symbolizes the eye of God because it reflects everything happening in the house for example observing vows of the wedding. The little dog symbolizes fidelity. Symbols vary across different cultural groups and one symbol in one community could mean a different thing in the other culture. Marriage practices and roles are different in various cultural groups and other people with unique marital practices might fail to comprehend the symbolism used.
Question 10
The controversy that surrounded the Chris Ofili’s ‘The Holy Virgin Mary’ art was elicited by its effects on the religion. The painting showed a black mother of Jesus Christ constructed from elephant dung and pornography collage. The use of the materials related to pornography as well as the animal waste was equivalent to a ridicule to Christianity in general particularly the Catholics. The use of animal shit to paint a holly art was an attack to Christianity because shit symbolizes awkward things in the American culture and in Christianity. However, the painting depicted hypocrisy that existed in America particularly in the freedom of speech.
Question 11
Classical line art
The classical line art is characterized by classic or straight lines that offer structure to a work of art or a composition. The works can be oriented to vertical, horizontal, or diagonal axis of a surface. The lines are fundamental in art because they add an organic and more dynamic character to a work of art. An example of analytical or classical line in the chapter is Fig. 3-5 Line analysis of Titian, Assumption and Consecration of the Virgin, ca. 1516–18.
Expressive line
Expressive lines are curved, contributing to an organic, more dynamic feat5ure to an artistic work. The lines create a path around the edge of a shape. Example of a figure that depi9cts expressive line in the book is Fig. 3-8 Vincent van Gogh, The Starry Night, 1889.
Question 12
In art, an implied line refers to a line that suggests the edge of a plane or an object within an artistic work. The line can be broken by intermittent marks and it can be defined by color, value, texture or other features that are visible to viewers. The difference between actual and implied line is that the latter exists in the minds of the viewer without necessarily being drawn. A line of sight is what the brain interprets that a line exists from one end to the next and that is where a viewer can see. In Assumption and Consecration of the Virgin, c. 1516-1518, the viewer is left to determine the where the line exists.
Question 13
Van Gogh's line is autographic because it is easily recognizable and emotional as demonstrated in The Starry Night, The Sower and even the letter in Figure 3-9. The differences between the lines is that Van Gogh’s line is not clearly visible by the viewer but in Sol LeWitt’s Wall Drawing No. 681, the lines are clearly visible and a viewer can easily identify the edges of the structure. The Wall Drawing has been used to show how lines and colors can be used to create a decorative art.
Question 14
The Starry Night is an oil on canvas by Van Gogh. The art was painted in 1889 and it demonstrates the view from the window that faces on the astern side. The work is considered as the finest by the artist and the most recognizable paintings in the western culture. An important element o the painting is light that appears to pass from the east facing window. Another painting that dem0onstrates the impressive features is The Enclosed Wheatfield After a Storm.
Question 15
Leonardo da Vinci’s painting The Last Supper is a mural painting of the late 15th
century and it is one of the most recognizable paintings in the world. The painting is characterized by implied line to depict the scene of Jesus and the disciples during the last supper.
Question 16
The Lamentation of Christ is a late 15th century painting that has a strong religious connection. The realism and tragedy of the scene are depicted by the violent viewpoint that foreshortens and dramatizes the reclining figure, emphasizing on anatomical details especially Christ’s thorax. The painter ensured that all features demonstrated the reality as it is the holly teachings to avoid potential criticism.
Question 17
Primary colors include red, yellow, and blue. They are called primary colors because they are the root of all other colors. Secondary colors include green, orange, and purple. They are described as secondary because they originate from other colors, primary colors. Intermediate colors originate from mixing equal amounts of primary and secondary colors.
Discussion
The main objective of the advertisement is that beauty comes naturally without necessarily undergoing training or any other process to look beautiful. However, beauty elements are viewed differently across cultures. The most impressive image from the advertisement is when the lady shows how she is physically fit and muscular but she is not considered.
