Art Criticism and Aesthetics - PowerPoint - PowerPoint

							Art Criticism and Aesthetics

          Chapter 4
  Art Criticism: Aesthetic Qualities
• Art critics search for aesthetic qualities that
  can increase their understanding of the works
  and serve as the criteria on which their
  judgments are based.



                Juan Gris, Violin-Guitar,1913
           Art Criticism Approach
•   What is seen in the artwork?
•   How is the artwork designed?
•   What does it mean?
•   Is it a successful work of art?
         Art Criticism Approach
• Description: Inventory of everything they see
  in the work. The literal qualities, or realistic
  presentation of subject matter, and the
  elements of art found in the work.
• Identify the elements of art present in the
  work.
Art Criticism Approach



                 Diego Rivera, The
                 Flower Carrier, 1936.
        Art Criticism Approach
• Analysis: Using the principles of art to
  determine how the elements of art used in
  the picture are organized.
• Design qualities: how well the work is
  organized, or put together.
Van Gogh, Cottage, 1899.
Swans Reflecting Elephants, Salvador Dali, 1937.
           Art Criticism Approach
• Interpretation: Identifying the expressive
  qualities or meaning of the work based on
  his/her description and analysis of the work.



   Andy Goldsworthy, Roof, 2005.
                Art Criticism Approach
 • Judgment: Making a judgment and defending
   it depends on the theory or theories of art the
   critic favors.

Jasper Johns, Flags,
1968. Color Lithograph.
     Aesthetics and Art Criticism
• Aesthetics is a branch of philosophy
  concerned with identifying the clues within
  artworks that can be used to understand,
  judge, and defend judgments about those
  works.
              Theories of Art
• Imitationalism (realism): Realistic presentation
  of subject matter. Reminds viewers of what
  can be seen in the real world.
• Formalism: depends on the design qualities
  or the way it is organized.
• Emotionalism: The artwork communicates an
  emotion or idea to the viewer.
           Imitationalism (Realism)

Andrew
Wyeth,
Master
Bedroom,
1946
Formalism



            Jasper Johns,
            False Start, 1959.
            Oil on Canvas
            67 1/4 x 54 in.
                 Emotionalism
Jacob
Lawrence,
Confrontation
on The Bridge,
1975
             Theories of Art
• The critic may use more than one theory.
            Nonobjective Art
• Any artwork that contains no apparent
  reference to reality.

                                   Stuart Davis,
                                   Swing
                                   Landscape,
                                   1938.
 Art Criticism Operations and Architecture

• You can use art criticism the same way with
  architecture: Identify, Analyze, Interpret, and
  Judge.

                           Stuart Davis, Hot Stillscape For Six
                           Colors Seventh Avenue Style, 1940.