The Tragic in Art; Subject and Contents, Levels of Meaning, Planes of Analysis Flashcards
Subject vs. Content
Objects depicted by the artist (objective/ representational vs. non-objective/ nonrepresentational)
Subject
Subject vs. Content
Object
Subject
Subject vs. Content
What the artist expresses or communicates; the meaning/ theme
Content
Subject vs. Content
Reveals the artist’s attitude towards the subject. Meaning/theme
Content
Kinds of Subjects
–Landscapes, seascapes, cityscapes
- Still lifes
- Animals
- Portraits
- Figures
- Everyday life
- History and legend
- Religion and mythology
- Dreams and fantasies
The choice of a subject is dependent on the ____________ and ___________.
medium; time
Portrait: __________
Figure: ____________
face;
whole
_______________________ – can’t see subject
_______________________ – subject is seen
Non-representational;
Representational
Biological environment
Naturalistic representational art
Style of artist; not close to reality. E.g. anime and manga
Stylized representational art
Suggested object; changes are present
Abstract representation
Ways of Representing Subject
Depiction in nature. Depicts the way the subject would normally appear in nature.
REALISM
Ways of Representing Subject
REALISM
Note: No work of art is truly ____________.
Only illusion of reality is presented through the careful choice of details. (ex. realistic novel)
realistic
Ways of Representing Subject
Simplifying/ reorganizing. Process of simplifying and/or reorganizing objects and elements of artistic expression.
ABSTRACTION
Ways of Representing Subject
Enough of a likeness of the reality may be retained or not.
ABSTRACTION
Ways of Representing Subject
Proportion differ from natural. Twisting, elongation, distortion.
DISTORTION
Ways of Representing Subject
Figures have been so arranged that proportions differ noticeably from natural measurements.
DISTORTION
Ways of Representing Subject
Twisting, stretching, deforming the natural shape of an object.
DISTORTION
Levels of Meaning
Literal
Factual
Levels of Meaning
Cultural (cross; rituals)
Conventional
Levels of Meaning
Personal (conveyed by the artist consciously or unconsciously)
Subjective
Levels of Meaning
The subject of art has some intellectual content. – Osborne
Subjective
Planes of Analysis
- Signifier, signified, referent
- Psychophysical experience
- Socio-cultural conventions
Semiotic
Planes of Analysis
Image
Iconic
Planes of Analysis
- Social, historical; allusive
- Dialogic relationship between art and society
- Human/social implications
Contextual
Planes of Analysis
Technical and content aspects
Evaluative
“A responsible critic/viewer draws from a rich knowledge and _______________.”
humanism
- A raw human emotion
- A common experience we feel/ experience as humans.
- We don’t pay attention to the suffering of others.
Tragedy and Beauty
Recreation in words of a work of art.
Ekphrasis
Recreation of an artwork into another form or medium.
Trans-creation
Exclusive; purpose – religion and spiritual
Rituals
____________ – local government, inclusive, people from different walks of life appreciate culture, increasing economic activity within the area, and tourism (aesthetics).
Festivals
