4 - Visual Art Flashcards
performing vs visual arts
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)
trade off; visual vs performing arts
- 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)
“performance art”
way of making visual art into something that involves performance (ex. body as paint brush, living statues, …)
visual art - basic statement
objects and spaces; how objects are layed out in space, go beyond the visual and also consider production aspect
core features of visual arts
- perception of objects and spaces (2D and 3D) -> categorization/perception
- 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
- ornamentation (aesthetic sense; artification of objects and spaces) -> making objects more appealing
- narrative content (communication; visual symbols and icons) -> symbol = abstract, icon = resemblance -> meaning of the object/painting
-> graphic design sense
two ways of displaying:
1. performing arts
2. visual arts
- performance as display (dynamic)
- exhibition as display (static)
static displays
- 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
classifying visual art - some definitions
we artify ourselves and the products of human creation; forms can be 2D or 3D; image are visual patterns on a surface
classification of visual art
- 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
2D/3D duality
ex. a 3D purse with 2D image printed on it
graphical cognition
-> 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
globular brain theory
tool use has shaped the human brain
(parietal lobe expansion in the brain)
ornament and display - graphical cognition
- objects -> shape; patterns on objects (ornamentation)
- spaces -> layout; patterns of objects (display) ~ how objects are situated
ornamentation (artification)
stylization, exaggeration and repetition (in time and space), repetitions of visual patterns in space
2 modules of core geometry
- objects -> shape; length for size, angle for shape representation
- spaces -> layout; distance, sense for left and right
numerical cognition
= 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
static object - production and perception
dynamic process needed to create static object (production), done via instrumental gestures, the end result is fixed/static
challenge of vision
construct a 3D precept from a 2D retinal image
-> depth perception (2D retina surface to 3D visual percept)
challenge of drawing
create a 2D representation from a 3D percept
-> drawing (3D visual percept to 2D drawing surface)
drawing is …
art specific; conversion 3D to 2D
3 categories of images
- pictures: figurative, geometric, abstract (composed or captured)
- notations (symbol system): language writing (pictographic or phonetic) musical notation, dance notation
- emblems (pictorial or linguistic); an abstract picture -> signs
classifying gesture
-> 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
instrumental - in depth (classifying gesture)
transitive vs intransitive actions:
transitive = object-oriented gestures
intransitive = not object oriented
- joint actions; several people needed
pantomime - in depth (classifying gesture)
= 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
drawing vs pantomime
- drawing leaves trail
behind (emanation) - pantomime draws in the air, no emanation
-> both involve same motor system
distorted realism
goal to achieve figurative realism, not completely photographic though, some type of distortion is present
reasons for distortion
- 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)
