The Art of Understanding Art
A Behind the Scenes Story
1. Edition March 2012
304 Pages, Softcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
Short Description
The Art of Understanding Art reveals to readers new and meaningful ways of developing personal ideas and opinions about art and how to express them with confidence. A truly innovative book that presents and explains "behind the scene" activities, methods and tools involved in the creation, dissemination, analysis and interpretation of art.
The Art of Understanding Art reveals to students and other readers new and meaningful ways of developing personal ideas and opinions about art and how to express them with confidence.
* Offers an inquiry--unique among introductory art texts--into the learning process of understanding and appreciating art
* Examines the multiple issues and processes essential to making, analyzing and evaluating art
* Uses cross-cultural examples to help readers develop comprehensive, yet personal, ways of looking at and thinking about art
* Includes an annotated glossary of the 'Art World', institutions and individuals that play a role in defining art as well as diagrams, textboxes callouts and other visual elements to highlight information and enhance learning
* Richly illustrated with over 40 images
* Suggests innovative class assignments and projects useful for developing lesson plans, and offers an online companion site for additional illustrations and information
Why Should Art Matter to You? A Message to Art Beginners xv
Introduction: What Is Art? xvi
Navigating the Book: A User's Guide xxi
Why Is Art Made? The Purposes of Art: A Brief Overview from A to Z xxiv
The Anatomy of a Work of Art xxxii
PART ONE MAKING ART 1
1 Artists and Patrons 3
Artists and Creators 3
The Creative Process: Inspiration and Influences 14
Patronage 17
2 Environment, Materials, and Other Resources 22
Environment 23
Materials, Tools, and Technology 27
Other Resources: Knowledge and Information 36
3 Context 38
Cultural Context 39
Historical, Political, and Religious Context 43
Societal Context 48
Conclusion to Part One 53
PART TWO DISSEMINATING ART 55
4 The Dissemination of Original Art 57
Institutions 57
Beyond Institutional Walls 71
Art and Business 73
5 The Dissemination of Art through Reproductions, and Other Issues 77
Publications, Presentations, and Lectures 78
The Mass Media 80
Today's Art World 86
Conclusion to Part Two 90
PART THREE ANALYZING ART 91
6 Visual Resources Used to Analyze Art 93
The Work of Art 94
Visual Documentation and Research 103
7 Textual and Other Resources Used To Analyze Art 109
Primary Textual Sources 110
Secondary Textual Sources 114
Additional Resources for Research 117
Comparisons 119
8 A Critical Examination of Art Classification 126
Reflections on Art Classification 126
Chronology and Artistic Periods 130
Media 132
Fine Art/High Art 132
Graphic Arts 137
"Minor Arts" 137
Architecture 138
Other Categories 139
Conclusion to Part Three 142
PART FOUR INTERPRETING ART 143
9 Interpreting Art: Criteria and Values 145
Preconceived Ideas about Art 146
Modern Art and the Audience 148
Artistic Values and Art Appreciation 150
Modernism 152
Postmodernism 155
Interpreting Art: Getting Started 157
Looking at and Interpreting Art 158
10 Methodologies of Art 162
Introduction to Art Methodologies 163
Art Interpretation: Case Study 173
Summary 179
Notes 179
Conclusion 180
Appendix 1 The Art World 182
Appendix 2 Creative Assignments and Writing Projects 189
Appendix 3 Glossary 194
Appendix 4 "Tools of the Trade" Diagrams: Form and
Content (1-5) and Art Media (6-8) 210
List of Figures and Color Plates 218
Bibliography 220
Index 227
