4 - Visual Art

Question 1

performing vs visual arts

Answer 1

dynamic vs static
-> visual arts are characterized by their static natures as fixed objects (occurs in 2D (ex. drawing) and 3D (ex. sculpture))
-> visual arts are the static components of performing arts (ex. background (picture) of an opera)

Question 2

trade off; visual vs performing arts

Answer 2

• visual art not for interpersonal coordination
• visual art is enduring
• gives asynchronous experience (not liked to time) -> see performing arts in comparison (need capacity for synchronous experience)

Question 3

“performance art”

Answer 3

way of making visual art into something that involves performance (ex. body as paint brush, living statues, …)

Question 4

visual art - basic statement

Answer 4

objects and spaces; how objects are layed out in space, go beyond the visual and also consider production aspect

Question 5

core features of visual arts

Answer 5

1. perception of objects and spaces (2D and 3D) -> categorization/perception
2. object creation, production of use (conceiving of objects (graphic design) and tool creation; tool use to make objects) -> idea of the object, from whom, decision on tool to create object
3. ornamentation (aesthetic sense; artification of objects and spaces) -> making objects more appealing
4. narrative content (communication; visual symbols and icons) -> symbol = abstract, icon = resemblance -> meaning of the object/painting
   -> graphic design sense

Question 6

two ways of displaying:
1. performing arts
2. visual arts

Answer 6

1. performance as display (dynamic)
2. exhibition as display (static)

Question 7

static displays

Answer 7

• objects not good for rhythm but long lasting
• artification to make things more attention grabbing
  -> artify a person/self promotion (individual), artify an object/space, function as deity/religious symbol, capture dynamic action/expression, signify social functions (cultural), signify group identity, signify national and institutional identity, commemorate an event/person

Question 8

classifying visual art - some definitions

Answer 8

we artify ourselves and the products of human creation; forms can be 2D or 3D; image are visual patterns on a surface

Question 9

classification of visual art

Answer 9

• body:
  2D; images on the skin surface
  3D; objects attached to the body
• non-body:
  2D; images on non-body surfaces
  3D; functional, decorative, and artistic objects

Question 10

2D/3D duality

Answer 10

ex. a 3D purse with 2D image printed on it

Question 11

graphical cognition

Answer 11

-> graphic design sense -> artful cognition
4 major aspects:
- functional creativity;
conceive: where ideas are coming from (divergent vs analytical thinking)
produce: tool design and usage -> tools to manufacture other things
- display creativity;
ornament
display

Question 12

globular brain theory

Answer 12

tool use has shaped the human brain
(parietal lobe expansion in the brain)

Question 13

ornament and display - graphical cognition

Answer 13

• objects -> shape; patterns on objects (ornamentation)
• spaces -> layout; patterns of objects (display) ~ how objects are situated

Question 14

ornamentation (artification)

Answer 14

stylization, exaggeration and repetition (in time and space), repetitions of visual patterns in space

Question 15

2 modules of core geometry

Answer 15

• objects -> shape; length for size, angle for shape representation
• spaces -> layout; distance, sense for left and right

Question 16

numerical cognition

Answer 16

= sense of amount; counting objects (numerosity)
1. approximate number system = relative count (more/less), not specific, approximately; works well for small and big numbers -> basic grouping
2. specific number system = specific sense of count, actual/absolute numbers; just doable for small numbers -> countable things

Question 17

static object - production and perception

Answer 17

dynamic process needed to create static object (production), done via instrumental gestures, the end result is fixed/static

Question 18

challenge of vision

Answer 18

construct a 3D precept from a 2D retinal image
-> depth perception (2D retina surface to 3D visual percept)

Question 19

challenge of drawing

Answer 19

create a 2D representation from a 3D percept
-> drawing (3D visual percept to 2D drawing surface)

Question 20

drawing is …

Answer 20

art specific; conversion 3D to 2D

Question 21

3 categories of images

Answer 21

1. pictures: figurative, geometric, abstract (composed or captured)
2. notations (symbol system): language writing (pictographic or phonetic) musical notation, dance notation
3. emblems (pictorial or linguistic); an abstract picture -> signs

Question 22

classifying gesture

Answer 22

-> dynamic process to create static objects
- spatial:
standard; instrumental, every day things
narrative; pantomime (same spatially as when doing it actually, no actual tool usage)
- affective:
standard; affective
narrative; acting, mime

Question 23

instrumental - in depth (classifying gesture)

Answer 23

transitive vs intransitive actions:
transitive = object-oriented gestures
intransitive = not object oriented
- joint actions; several people needed

Question 24

pantomime - in depth (classifying gesture)

Answer 24

= resembling something
- iconic gesture; spatially resembles action if object being represented
- empty handed version of transitive gesture
- used to tell a narrative
1. egocentric: body parts maintain identity
2. allocentric: body parts replaced by some other object
-> can be used in a mixed way

Question 25

drawing vs pantomime

Answer 25

• drawing leaves trail
  behind (emanation)
• pantomime draws in the air, no emanation
  -> both involve same motor system

Question 26

distorted realism

Answer 26

goal to achieve figurative realism, not completely photographic though, some type of distortion is present

Question 27

reasons for distortion

Answer 27

• media limitations
• some perspectives are distorting
• altered states of consciousness
• comment on the subject of the art work
• part of an artists creative style (intentionally)