About Art - What Do We Really Mean

https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/07/what-do-we-really-mean-by-art/

Mrs. Palupi Susilowati S. S, M. Pd

English task by: ILMA NASSANIA

NIM : 10617052

Mark Rothko, an American artist who described himself as an “abstract painter”,

once said about art that he was not the kind of person interested in the relationship
of form, color or similars (complex sentence). He didn’t define himself as an
abstractionist, but rather as a person interested only in expressing basic human
emotions such as doom, tragedy, ecstasy and so on (compound sentence). This was
one person’s vision of art, but what do we mean by art today? Why is defining the
concept so difficult? [Links checked February/10/2017]
1. About Art - What Is It?

This question pops up often, and with many answers (compound sentence).
Many argue that art cannot be defined. We could go about this in several
ways. Art is often considered the process or product of deliberately arranging
elements in a way that appeals to the senses or emotions. It encompasses a
diverse range of human activities, creations and ways of expression,
including music, literature, film, sculpture and paintings. The meaning of art
is explored in a branch of philosophy known as aesthetics. At least, that’s
what Wikipedia claims.

Art is generally understood as any activity, or product done by people with a

communicative or aesthetic purpose, something that expresses an idea, an
emotion or, more generally, a world view (compound sentence).

It is a component of culture, reflecting economic and social substrates in its

design. It transmits ideas and values inherent in every culture across space
and time. Its role changes through time, acquiring more of an aesthetic
component here and a socio-educational function there.

Everything we’ve said so far has elements of truth but is mainly

opinion. According to Wikipedia, “Art historians and philosophers of art have long
had classificatory disputes about art regarding whether a particular cultural form
or piece of work should be classified as art.” (complex sentence)
The definition of art is open, subjective, debatable. There is no agreement among
historians and artists, which is why we’re left with so many definitions of art
(complex sentence). The concept itself has changed over centuries.

The very notion of art continues today to stir controversy, being so open to
multiple interpretations. It can be taken simply to mean any human activity, or any
set of rules needed to develop an activity (compound sentence). This would
generalize the concept beyond what is normally understood as the fine arts, now
broadened to encompass academic areas (complex sentence). The word has many
other colloquial uses, too.

In this article, we mean art as a form of human expression of a creative nature.

2. The Evolution Of The Concept Of Art

While the definition of art has changed over the years, the field of art history has
developed to allow us to categorize changes in art over time and to better
understand how art shapes and is shaped by the creative impulses of artists.

Having a solid grasp of art history, then, is important. I spoke with Alexander
Daniloff and Jonathan Ball about the concept of art through history and about
whether tracing a line through traditional and contemporary art is possible.

Alexander Daniloff is a Russian artist who lives and works in Italy (complex
sentence). His focus is painting, although he has worked in several
media(complex sentence). Lately, he has worked on children’s illustrations. He has
participated in various events and illustration competitions and has illustrated three
books. He has held numerous individual and group exhibitions in Italy, Russia,
Holland, Spain, Finland and the US (compound sentence).

Jonathan Ball is the creative behind Poked Studio, an innovative company

committed to developing creative visual solutions. That’s not all: among its
services, Poked Studio offers illustration; Web, graphic and blog design; 3-D
rendering and visualization; motion graphics; children’s book illustration; Flash
websites; and games.

Question: Can we trace a line from traditional to contemporary art?

Alexander Daniloff: I don’t think we can say anything without falling into
controversy, even me. I have a traditional view and prefer artwork that speaks for
the artist or period. I can’t explain what contemporary art is, or at least what it’s
meant to be (compound sentence). Yes, you can trace a line from traditional to
contemporary art, but not a straight one (compound sentence). Perhaps it is a
parabola that goes up and then down, or a spiral We don’t know (compound
sentence). All we can say is that the art market has developed, which affects the art
itself (complex sentence). With what we call contemporary art, words and
explanations are always worth more.

Visual arts have been transformed by articles and critical essays; meanwhile, the
works themselves have become mute. In the theater, the curators and critics have
taken up the front row. This is my view on the difference between contemporary
and traditional art.

I personally prefer art measured in human dimensions: art that whispers and
doesn’t shout, art that covers me and makes me fly and does not crush (complex
sentence). But I must confess, some of these modern things attract me; for
example, mural painting (graffiti) and abstract things.

Trips to real and mythological ages and changes in theatrical costumes and decor are a part of Alexander
Daniloff's style. The style gives his paintings a special grace, showing both the festive and dramatic sides of life
on stage The style is also infused with a sweet irony that shakes up the painting (complex sentence). Precision,
flexibility in design and subtle color harmony free up the artist's movement between different artistic
conventions, playing with light and shadow, line and color.

Jonathan Ball: Yes, most definitely [we can draw a line from traditional to
contemporary art]. Many of the same techniques are used, just in slightly different
ways and with different tools. The same principles apply, however you create art.

I see a line particularly running through the stylized form of Japanese art such as
Hokusai and contemporary stylized graphic illustration (compound sentence).