Overview
This lecture covered the main characteristics, artists, and examples of major Western art movements, including Impressionism, Expressionism, Abstractionism, Pop Art, Op Art, Installation, and Performance Art.
Principles and Elements of Art
- Six principles of design: unity and variety, balance, emphasis and subordination, contrast, repetition and rhythm, scale and proportion.
- Seven elements of art: line, shape, space, value, color, texture, perspective.
- Vanishing point: the spot where parallel lines appear to meet, typically at the center in perspective images.
Impressionism
- Emerged in late 19th century; artists used pure, unmixed colors in short, broken strokes.
- Focused on real-life scenes, outdoor settings, off-centered subjects, and unusual visual angles.
- Key artists: Claude Monet ("Impression Sunrise," "Irises in Monet's Garden"), August Renoir ("Luncheon of the Boating Party"), Edouard Manet ("Argenteuil").
Expressionism and Styles
- Prioritized emotional expression using distorted outlines and imaginative, unrealistic images.
- Styles:
- Neoprimitivism: Inspired by African and native art (e.g., Modigliani's "Yellow Sweater").
- Fauvism: Emphasized bold colors and distortions (e.g., Matisse's "Woman with Hat").
- Dadaism: Used absurdity, satire, and visual tricks (e.g., Van Doesburg's "Street Music").
- Surrealism: Depicted dreamlike, illogical scenes (e.g., DalÃ's "Persistence of Memory").
- Social Realism: Highlighted social issues for reform (e.g., Ben Shahn's "Miners' Wives").
Abstractionism and Styles
- Emphasized logical, rational art with shapes, patterns, and lines.
- Representational abstractionism: Recognizable subjects remain (e.g., Braque's "Oval Still Life").
- Pure abstractionism: No recognizable subject (e.g., Picabia's "The Spring").
- Styles:
- Cubism: Focused on geometric forms (e.g., Picasso's "Girl Before a Mirror").
- Futurism: Depicted motion and machinery (e.g., Severini's "Armored Train").
- Mechanical Style: Used basic forms like cones and cylinders (e.g., Léger's "The City").
- Non-objectivism: Art without depicted objects (e.g., Mondrian's "New York City").
Pop Art and Op Art
- Op Art: Creates optical illusions and the appearance of movement (e.g., Riley's "Fall").
- Pop Art: Uses images from popular culture and everyday objects (e.g., Warhol's "Marilyn Monroe").
Installation Art and Performance Art
- Installation Art: Modifies space to create immersive experiences; viewers can walk through (e.g., Villanueva's "Cordillera Labyrinth").
- Performance Art: Art is created through actions in a given time and space; involves the artist and audience interaction.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Impressionism — Art movement using pure colors and outdoor life scenes.
- Expressionism — Art prioritizing emotion and subjective perspective.
- Abstractionism — Art focusing on shapes, patterns, and rational design.
- Pop Art — Movement using elements from popular culture.
- Op Art — Art that creates optical illusions of movement.
- Installation Art — Art modifying space for sensory viewer experiences.
- Performance Art — Artistic actions performed live, involving time, space, and audience.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Create a modern artwork using collage techniques on illustration board featuring a popular subject.
- Materials needed: illustration board, magazines/newspapers/calendars, scissors, glue, coloring medium, paintbrush/sponge.
- Submit artwork with a title as assigned homework.