Art Movements - Essay Example

1.) Being a monotheistic religion Islam has a belief that worshipping people and other animate objects are considered idolatry. Under Sharia law, idolatry is a grave sin. Even the prophet Mohammad became a subject of art for Muslims but not in a religious context.  Islamic art does not necessarily mean that the artist who created it is a Muslim. It also refers to the secular art of non-converts whose countries were once conquered by Islam. Though secular in theme, Islam, as a religion, has greatly influenced artists of “Islamic art.” The heavy use of repeating elements, such as geometrical floral and vegetal design, known as arabesque, was evident in Islamic art. This symbolizes the transcendent, indivisible, and infinite nature of Allah (Islamic Art).

2.) Stupa is a mound-like structure found in Buddhist countries. According to Buddhists, a stupa represents Buddha’s holy mind and each part represents the path toward enlightenment (About Stupas). Thus when Buddha died, his body was cremated and his ashes were distributed and buried under eight stupas with two more encasing the urn and the embers. As time progresses these funeral monuments to objects of veneration. This started an evolution in the appearance of the formerly simple architectural edifices. From being a mere mound of clay it has transformed into a gigantic monument.  Basically, a stupa consists of a square base, a hemispherical dome, a conical spire, a crescent moon, and a circular disc (Stupa). 

The Hindus, on the other hand, have similar monumental structures like the Kandariya Mahadeva. It has a spire rising 30.5 meters above. It has an entrance porch, a columned hall with side balconies, and a linga, a phallic emblem of Shiva (Michel and Shah). 

3.) Han dynasty is one of the most prestigious dynasties in China. Confucianism and Daoism became official religions during this era. Confucian and Daoist teachings of immortality and nobility and uprightness of the human soul influenced artists during the Han dynasty to predominantly paint human figures and scenes of daily social life (Chinese Painting).   

4.) Zen artists view art as a representation of the essence, “the eternal qualities of an object.” This is already existed even before the artist arrives. His job, therefore, is to suggest by the simplest possible means the inherent nature of an aesthetic object. The economy of means is important to convey the purity and simplicity of the eternal nature of an object. His aim is not to create an illusion of reality, as a Western artist does, but rather to produce something that makes one think beyond reality toward the essence of reality. Though seemingly simple, creating the abstract representation of the innate essence of the object requires time and patience. After comprehending the essence of an object, an artist can effortlessly and spontaneously paint his masterpiece.   

5.) Stupas represent the Buddhist belief that they can also achieve the enlightenment that Buddha achieved in his lifetime. The monument which is composed of parts that represents the elements that would lead to enlightenment, is an edifice that would make Buddhists connected with their goal of enlightenment. Art, in this case, is a tool to remember the spiritual aims and purpose of man.

Set B

1.) Modernism is an art trend that stresses the power of human beings to create, improve, and reshape their environment, with the aid of scientific knowledge, technology, and practical experimentation. Many of the previous movements had failed to realize their goals. Painters of the 19th century believed that art should present images that contain and reflect moral and ethical values for others to emulate (Witcombe). However as scientific breakthroughs provided a possibility of debunking conservative values, a new, progressive world order emerged. From Neoclassicism, Romanticism, and Realism all of which portrayed life as it is, Modern art, focusing on possibilities, emerged.

2.) Most of the American painters during the 19th century were trained and worked in European countries. The romantic landscapes of George Inness and Alexander Wyant were inspired by Romanticism while James McNeill Whistler was influenced by French Impressionism.

3.) Expressionism, with capital E, refers to a movement in art in the late 19th century and the 20th century, wherein painters present their works through highly subjective, personal, spontaneous self-expression. On the other hand, expressionism, with a small letter e, denotes the use of distortion and exaggeration for emotional effect. The latter term is not confined only to visual arts but it is also associated with dance, drama literature, and theater.

4.)  Minimalism is an art movement that brings back the components of art in its barest essentials. Highly influenced by the Zen art of Japan, the aim of this art movement is for viewers to experience the work more intensely without distractions, such as its composition, theme, and so on. The belief that art may exist only in ideas is realized in conceptualism. Conceptual art was intended to convey a concept to the viewer and reject the importance of the creator and the talent in traditional art forms.

5.) Feminism questions the predominance of males in the world of arts from the past to the present and sheds light on gender issues such as pornography and obscenity. They also question why art should be viewed from a patriarchal society’s perspective. Most artworks portray or suggest activities done by males.  Feminist artists aim to upgrade the role of women in society as reflected in their artworks.