Art theory for dummies

[Syd]

Is art any good if it requires an explanation?

[SvenZ]

How can one be explained something if one wasn't taught a language. Language being an art?

[Avery L. Breath]

Hard to say.  I'd venture that it's not a requirement.  But perhaps the question has been ill concieved.  It implies that a decision on what art is has already been established.  It sets parameters such as good and bad in which a answer is requested to be defined in.  in essence, answering your own question.  Perception playing the key role.  What is art to you?  Would it exist without you defining it?  Or even a consensus definition?  And to what degree does it become a necessity?


I personally am a big fan of pizza and categorically deny it's existance outside of myself.

[laughingwillow]

Life is art, dummy....  :wink:

You could just as well call the class "life for dummies."

lw

[judih]

art is art.
the way i understand it is this:
there's the 'art object', the 'viewer' and the connection between them.

It's possible to look at an art object and dismiss it outrightly if there's no perceived connection.
Sometimes a connection can be created with a small hint as to what the art object says to someone else.

In my case, the more I try my hand at a certain artform, the more available I am to experiencing a deeper meaning from someone else's work. I open myself to the 'language' of the medium.

Explanations can describe the factors involved in an art piece, but they do little to involve my emotions. Knowing that 17th Century Dutch art used certain proportions opened my eyes to various periods of that time, but did it make me any less of a dummy? Hardly, I may know a concept or two about paintings, but idiot I remain.

How can a brilliant grasp of colour, meaning and form be passed on to someone just by explaining it? One language does not replace another. The language of art is sublime. To understand it, one needs to learn it. Learning math won't help me understand art.

and on i could ramble for days. Just shut up and paint, i tell myself.

[Zaka]

Is art any good if it requires an explanation?

No!
If you have to justify art it ain't no good............even good art loses credibility if you have to explain it!
Respect
Z

[judih]

though it's totally whitenoise sometimes to hear people ask artists to explain 'what they meant', there are those rare occasions when one word from an artist can steer the mind in a new direction. That little nudge can make all the difference between inability to 'see' and sudden epiphany. But that 'one word' needs to be selected!

At the opening of the Rothko Exhibit in the Tel Aviv Museum, his son and daughter both spoke and gave us some background. I finally heard about Rothko's incurable illness and the infamy of his suicide took on another shade altogether. It was with a lighter heart that I looked at his work. The context put my mind a little more at ease.  

Knowing the context of art can make a difference to understanding.
This is not to say that the 'art' itself has been explained (not at all), but my mindset can be enriched before I approach a piece of art.

[JRL]

though it's totally whitenoise sometimes to hear people ask artists to explain 'what they meant', there are those rare occasions when one word from an artist can steer the mind in a new direction. That little nudge can make all the difference between inability to 'see' and sudden epiphany. But that 'one word' needs to be selected!

At the opening of the Rothko Exhibit in the Tel Aviv Museum, his son and daughter both spoke and gave us some background. I finally heard about Rothko's incurable illness and the infamy of his suicide took on another shade altogether. It was with a lighter heart that I looked at his work. The context put my mind a little more at ease.  

Knowing the context of art can make a difference to understanding.
This is not to say that the 'art' itself has been explained (not at all), but my mindset can be enriched before I approach a piece of art.

Well put. I mean if it could be explained why make the art?? But like Sista says, knowing the context is often enlightening, thats why I read all the muso bios I can get (just finished one about Django)
I believe art comes from somewhere way deeper than "explanations", but I am ever fascinated by the process, which can be related.

Great thread!!

[laughingwillow]

Sunset is a dark art.