Do you ask yourself any of these questions What is abstract art Is it the same thing as Modern Art How can I interpret and evaluate a piece of abstract art Can it have a subject or a meaning Are there different types of abstract art If you want to discover the answers, and ask more questions, this course is for you! Abstraction is not a style of art, like for example, Baroque or Cubism. It is, rather, about the subject matter and our reading of it. An artist expressing the beauty of a landscape can paint a picture of the landscape, but how can an artist make a piece of artwork about an emotion such as fear, or an idea such as purity, or a quality of a painting such as shape, weight or rhythm It might be worth considering your expectations of some other art forms, music and dance for example. The art critic Herbert Read wrote in 1931, "We must not be afraid of this word ’abstract’. All art is primarily abstract". But many people are afraid of abstract art, and feel that it is alien territory! In this course we will approach abstract art via art with which we, perhaps, feel more comfortable and learn to extend our skills of interpretation and understanding. We will also make sure that terms bandied around in art speak such as "abstract", "figurative", "realism", "representational" are clearly defined. We will explore what we mean by realism and abstraction in Western art by looking at images from the ancient Egyptians, through Classical art, early Christian and Mediaeval art, to the Renaissance, until the late 19th century. We will then explore the break with convention in Modernism, look at experiments with colour and form in the early Modern era, and at some of the key ideas of the first abstract artists. We will examine the historical, social and political context of early Modernism, against the backdrop of rapid industrialization, the Bolshevik revolution and the years leading to the great war. Abstract Art flourished in the 1950s, after the Second World War, with the way being led by American Abstract Expressionism. Why the sudden outpouring of huge abstract paintings Could anyone do the "splash and drip" technique And why did so many abstract painters, including Marc Rothko and Jackson Pollock, meet untimely violent deaths Finally, we will ask. why does abstract art appear to be relatively unfashionable in our Post Modernist times, and has it got a future or shall we relegate it to the art history books According to the passage, abstract art ______.
A. experimented with color and form
B. concerned revolution and world wars
C. flourished in the 1950s
D. all of the above
Most people enjoy watching a quality film at home or in the theater. The movie industry reaps billions of dollars each year from this popular hobby. But instead of merely following the story line, check out the contributing elements that make a good film superior to others. Before you know, you will be thinking like a film critic! 1) Plot. A solid film offers a story arc. That means that conflict is introduced and increases tensions to a building point at which a cataclysmic event occurs, followed by a return to normal. If the plot does not contain a noticeable arc, the story may not hold viewers’ attention. A dilemma should make the audience care about the outcome. 2) Actors. A good performer will bring his or her role to life. That may mean studying the role ahead of time rather than just learning the lines. It may include visiting sites or people-types associated with the theme of the film, such as a psychiatric hospital or a political campaign office. An actor may need to practice an accent or dialect several weeks before getting it right, or sculpting his or her body to get it in shape for an important part. If the actor appears to fit a role, the audience will appreciate the film even more. 3) Tensions. A conflict-laced story can keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Even love stories need squabbles, threats, or deceit to keep us interested in the plot. The next time you watch a film, see if you can find several types of conflict that help to move the plot forward. Films thrive on it; audiences love it. 4) Cinematography: Photography, scene set-ups, backdrops, and locations add artistic and aesthetic value to a film. A professional photographer and expert camera hands can turn even a mediocre plot into an award-eligible nomination. Study the backdrop of an historic or romantic film especially to get the effect of settings, props, and scenery. 5) Theme music. Classic films get their own musical score, often written and produced by award winning composers. The theme song may introduce and conclude the film, as well as appear sporadically throughout. In other types of movies, a string of songs from a particular time period or music style may grace the acting to add a powerful element of beat and rhythm. Many theme songs have made the top ten music lists over the years. 6) Director and producer. These people, sometimes the same person, are responsible for choosing actors, approving the script, and coordinating all the production elements like camera shots, scene speeches, and action sequences as well as special effects, if any. The producer may be the person who bankrolls the film or lines up investors. Without these persons, there would be no film. Watching a movie can be fun and relaxing. Paying attention to the contributing elements can enrich the viewing experience. Look for some of them in the next film you see; your viewing experience will never be the same! The word "cataclysmic" in the third paragraph means ______.
A. disastrous
B. dramatic
C. inspiring
D. collapsing