Art Appreciation: A Rich and Rewarding Experience
I DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT ART BUT I KNOW WHAT I LIKE?
Maybe you’ve gone to an art gallery or museum, looked at the artwork on display, and said to yourself, “What the hell is that? I can’t figure it out! Why is this here in a gallery?”
Or maybe you went to an art gallery or museum and your reaction was, “Wow! Great stuff! I like this! I don’t know why, but I like it!”
Or maybe you’ve been to an art gallery or museum, and after seeing the exhibits, you leave feeling bored and uninterested. You may have said to yourself, “Why do I even bother looking at art? I never understand it. It’s beyond me.”
Like any other discipline, art requires the viewer to know the information it presents. Sometimes we think we should automatically understand art. After all, there it is, hanging on the wall and all we have to do, we think, is look at it. But do we really SEE it? Often our response may be, “I don’t know much about art, but I know what I like.”
That’s just another way of saying, “What I really like is based on my ignorance.”
THE MORE YOU KNOW, THE MORE YOU CAN ENJOY
That you like a certain work of art is a pleasure. You have communicated with visual phenomena and really enjoyed the experience. It can be a very enriching and rewarding experience to know how and why an art form developed or to have some insight into how and why an artist works in a particular way. Chances are your perspective is quite limited if you have never studied art or know how it has developed not only in our western culture but throughout the world.
What if you could learn about the many forms of art that have been produced since humanity began and how it developed over time to the present day? What would this type of study mean to you? It would mean that, equipped with that knowledge, you could enjoy art much more! This is why.
The more you know about art and its development, the more you can enjoy looking at art! You will see much more and understand the context, content and style of the art form. And this is the foundation of Art Appreciation: a study in how to expand your knowledge of the world of art, past, present and future, and, with that perspective, be able to communicate with the rich visual/creative world!
HOW TO START
So how do you get to know this vast world of art? Where do you start?
Start by dipping your toe into the History of Art. With a basic understanding of Art History 101, you’ll be able to see how art as we know it wasn’t really a term until the science of Art History developed in our Western culture. And, when it developed, as you can read in many art history books in the library, art has been around for as long as humans have been able to pick up a stick, brush, or chisel and record their lives and experiences.
There are several ways to learn to appreciate art:
ONE — Learn about the fundamentals of art history. How art developed, from the Lascaux cave paintings to modern art today. The oldest art history books deal mainly with artistic development in Western culture. Newer books add developments in Asia, China, Russia, and the Middle East. The study of Art History, over time, has become globalized. By learning the timelines and factors that produce new perspectives and styles in art, you will not only gain a new historical perspective, but also become familiar with the various forms of art produced in the last few centuries.
TWO–Choose a certain period or style in art history and learn about it. Perhaps you are interested in impressionism. Or maybe you’ve always wanted to know the difference between Op Art and Pop Art. By studying the cultural impact of a certain style in a specific time period, you can understand why that particular art form developed and appreciate the artwork. in a broader context.
THREE: Take a tour of your local art museum. Museums offer a wide variety of art education programs and tours of their exhibits. Or travel and see real art around you. There are many websites on the Internet that list world art tours and travels, often by geographic location or specific artistic and architectural styles. On-site art tours offer a unique and interesting way to travel and can give you an intimate, one-on-one look at the historic art and culture of the area. Tour groups are generally small and led by very knowledgeable guides who are happy to answer all your questions and comments.
FOUR-Visit your local art galleries often. Galleries are supportive of their artists and gallery owners, and attendees are often quite pleased with their interest in their exhibits. They will be happy to provide you with information about the artists, such as whether they are local, where they have shown their work, what awards they have won, and who has purchased their artwork. Stay informed of current and future exhibitions. This hands-on approach connects you closely with the affordable art that is available where you live, and often created by artists who live in or near your area.
DISCOVER A RICH VISUAL WORLD
Art appreciation is as big or small a study as you want to make. Whether you want it to be a casual outing or serious study, whatever you choose, learning how art forms have historically developed and understanding what’s on the walls of your local gallery will definitely change your perspective.
Wouldn’t it be great to be able to discuss a painting on a gallery wall, instead of shrugging and muttering, “I don’t know much about art, but I know what I like.”
Think about it. Perhaps your response would be more like: “I like the way this artist uses color in an expressionist style. The brushwork is so vigorous! There is a lot of energy in the composition. Also, the use of thick paint makes for an interesting texture.” .”
Through Art Appreciation you can discover a rich visual/creative world that will inspire you and invite you to learn more.