A Class in Art

Me, clarie, proprotress of the Bad Art Cafe is brushing up on her art theory. I'm taking a class in Moderism. Really. I'm really being instructed, not merely giving you my version of the art story.

Well, you will still get my version & vision. People read this weblog; people whom I suspect are art history students, and need a break from the professor. I know I did. I remember Greek vases, and spending hours and slides on them. (we can run through that later, if you like)

So it must be because the real art theory in real terms is, well, scary. Why not be creative with creativity? The only art critic I can read who does this is Matthew Collins. Which is why he's quoted here, in this weblog a lot. In fact, I just ordered a new book from him off my Amazon wish list.

But we will distill much of the knowledge from my new course into this space, because that's what we're here for. The real thing. And the funny thing.

Meanwhile, from another one of my favorite art texts: The Annotated MONA LISA, a crash course in Art History . . . . a list of "Artspeak" pg.89

Relief a projecting design carved or modeled on a flat background

Perspective a technique for representing space and 3-D objects on a flat surface

Figurative stle that accurately represents figures, animals, or other rcongnizable objects

Graphic art on a flat surface base on drawing and use of line (as opposed to color or relief); especially applied to printmaking

Plane a flat, 2-D surface with a defined bounary

Static arrangement of shapes, lines, colors that reduces visual movement when looking at a picture (opposite of dynamic)

Flat without illusion of volume or depth; also pure color lacking gradations of tone

Complementary opposite colors on the color wheel - orange/blue, for instance

Values degrees of light or dark in a color

Monumental pertaining to monuments; heroic scale. (we have lots of these in Chicago)

Hay, I'm just trying to get you through a museum without going to sleep on a nearby bench!

ps. the instructor warns not to rely on sites like mine, because we might not have the reall art information.
Well, ok.

There might be reviews ahead for the "real" artsites.

Comments

[Beth S. Gersh-Nesic]

Please read my reviews at About.com: Art History.
Shelley Esaak and I are easy to read--and reliable.
Keep in touch.
Beth