Lesson 1 Part 2

Summary

This lecture explores the concept of 'subject' in art, which is the main idea or focus of a piece. It discusses how factors like medium, time, patronage, and technological development influence an artist's choice of subject. The lecture also covers various types of subjects found in art, such as landscapes, portraits, and religious themes, and different styles of representation, including realism, abstraction, distortion, and surrealism. It concludes by categorizing art into groups based on form, media, and purpose, providing a comprehensive understanding of artistic diversity.

Takeaways

• 🎨 The subject in art refers to the main idea or theme of the artwork, which can be objective or abstract.
• 🖌️ Factors affecting an artist's choice of subject include medium, time, patronage, and development.
• 🖼️ Medium refers to the materials available and the artist's skill in manipulating them.
• ⏳ Time plays a significant role in art, as historical events and periods influence the creation of artworks.
• 🤑 Patronage or sponsorship can lead artists to create images of their affluent supporters.
• 🚀 Developments in technology have led to new forms of art, such as mixed media.
• 🌄 Types of subjects in art include landscapes, cityscapes, still life, animals, portraits, everyday life scenarios, history, legend, religion, mythology, dreams, and fantasies.
• 🖌️ Realism in art involves painting subjects as they appear in real life.
• 🔵 Abstraction simplifies or reduces details in art, often distorting the subject's appearance.
• 🤡 Distortion alters the proportions of subjects to create unusual or 'weird' appearances.
• 🌙 Surrealism combines elements of realism and distortion to create dream-like images.
• 🏛️ Art can be grouped into categories such as visual arts, literary arts, popular arts, and performing arts.
• 🎭 Performing arts involve the use of the human body, movement, and presence.
• 🖥️ Digital arts are created with the aid of technology or computers.
• 🛠️ Practical arts are functional and serve human needs, such as utensils and furniture.
• 📚 Liberal arts are aimed at intellectual growth and civic participation.
• 🎭 Fine arts focus on creative activity for contemplation and spiritual upliftment.
• 🎨 Major arts involve people in self-expression, while minor arts are for pleasure and creation.
• 🎨 Art forms can also be categorized by the media used, such as plastic arts, graphic arts, kinetic arts, and fanatic arts.
• 🎭 Mixed arts combine more than one medium, like opera which includes music, poetry, and drama.

Q & A

What does the term 'subject' refer to in the context of artwork?

The term 'subject' in artwork refers to the main idea that is presented, which could be an object, person, or concept that the art revolves around.

What are the factors that can affect an artist's choice of subject?

Factors affecting an artist's choice of subject include medium, time, patronage, and development. These factors can influence the artist's ability to express their ideas and the themes they choose to depict.

How does the medium affect an artist's work?

The medium affects an artist's work by determining the availability and type of materials used, as well as the artist's skill in manipulating the chosen medium.

Why is time significant in the creation of art?

Time is significant because historical events and periods can influence the themes and subjects that artists choose to depict in their work.

What role does patronage play in an artist's choice of subject?

Patronage can influence an artist's choice of subject as it often involves sponsorship and financial support, which may lead the artist to create works that appeal to their patrons.

How does technology impact the development of art?

Technology impacts art by enabling new forms of expression and media, allowing artists to create innovative works that reflect advancements in technology.

What are some common types of subjects found in paintings?

Common types of subjects in paintings include landscapes, cityscapes, still life, animals, portraits, everyday life scenarios, history, legends, religion, mythology, dreams, and fantasies.

What is the difference between realism and abstraction in art?

Realism in art aims to depict subjects as they appear in real life, while abstraction simplifies or reduces details, often distorting the subject to convey a different meaning or emotion.

Can you explain the concept of distortion in art?

Distortion in art involves altering the natural proportions of an image to create a visually unusual or unsettling effect, often used to evoke specific emotions or to make a statement.

What is surrealism and how does it differ from realism?

Surrealism is an artistic movement that combines elements of realism with distortion to create dreamlike or fantastical scenes that defy the laws of reality.

How are art forms grouped according to their purposes?

Art forms are grouped according to their purposes into practical arts (functional arts), liberal arts, fine arts, major arts, and minor arts, each serving different functions in society and the arts community.

What are plastic arts and how do they differ from graphic arts?

Plastic arts are forms of visual art that involve the physical manipulation of a medium, such as sculpture or ceramics. Graphic arts, on the other hand, are forms of visual art that use line, shape, and color on a two-dimensional surface, such as drawing or printmaking.

What is the role of mixed arts in the spectrum of artistic media?

Mixed arts involve the combination of multiple media in a single artwork, such as opera which combines music, poetry, and drama, creating a multifaceted artistic experience.