Time, Image and Inner Space - Essay Example

Do we need to understand art objects in relationship to periods or styles or do some objects exist outside of these categories?' Any form of Art whether it is painting, sculpture, music, or any artifact of archeological importance captures the emotions of human heart and depicts the social and culture of the region. Since the birth of Adam and Eve, according to Bible, it has cultivated within us the spirit of endurance, love, patience and lessons to give meaning and new lease of life. Any piece of Art, as small as stone and in any style it is formed or made, reflects the social or culture of that era in all its dimensions and perspectives. Richard Wollheim gave very enduring definition of the art as he says, “the nature of art is one of the most elusive of the traditional problems of human culture.” (Wikipedia 2007) It has been defined as a vehicle for the expression or communication of emotions and ideas, means for exploring and appreciating formal elements. But the true essence of Art in all its shapes, sizes, and styles are said to be emerged from the philosophical perceptions of Immanuel Kant, which Roger Fry and Clive Bell further developed. The great artists born in this Earth deepen their relationship and are recognized and identified with their artistic creations rather than what they procreated. It is their style, color combination and the essence of their ideas that they immerse in the objects reflect their total affiliation with them. We identify Shakespeare and understand about his life by his Hamlet rather than by his son Hammet. In other words it is Shakespeare’s creation that speaks and it is the art that leaves the image of his creator’s life and works. Art tells us about the people past, about the people present and foretell us about the people in future. It’s not just an object of desire but also an object of possession and also a symbol of our civilization. Creation of many art forms has some purpose behind it. It could be either social, professional, religious, symbolic or just a customary purpose for e.g. many art forms that originated in Africa have an element of symbolism behind. Masks, pottery, figures, portraits, jewelry, baskets and clothing embody their religious believes. Nigerians showed their courage and vigour with tattoos on their body. For e.g. The Portrait head of king Oni is a prefect example to prove this point. There are tattoos marked on the entire face of the King. His slanting eyes, prominent nose and big full lips have the respective symbolic meaning for the people of Nigeria. Many considered and are still considering the art form as an object of pleasure and a mark of materialistic possession and style. For the royal families, the art form was the mark of their royalty and dignity. The palaces of Versailles and the Hermitage in St.Petersburg are the fine examples of the vast collections of the art bought by the wealthy class of the Europe. The most expensive the art, the most it was cherished by the royal families. In 1793, at the peak of the French revolution, when Louvre, known to be private palace of the Kings of France was opened to the public as an art museum, people began to show more interest towards culture, and from then on, art began to be available to the masses view and for their ardent expositions. The best example can be given of John Taylor, a railroad executive, had his own personal collections of various art forms and wanted it to be made available for the public view. In the late 1960’s and 1970’s, there were also efforts by many to derive the art form not as an object to be bought and sold but to be praised, loved and appreciated and to be available for every one. This time period also saw the birth of performance art, video art and conceptual art and art should be perceived as an idea and not as a materialist object. Since centuries, Art has been cultivated into the various chapters of our lives by its different styles and patterns depending upon the nature and the time period. The archeologists understand the culture and the societal patterns of the old civilizations with the help of their discovered objects of artistic values that even vagaries of time has not been able to destroy. These objects of art like sculptures or paintings or even a single piece of stone give the complete story of the social, cultural and political life of the people of that particular region or society because each object discovered had its unique style and pattern representing the age to which it belonged. Since the last 18th and 19th centuries, the world saw different movements and trends in the various art forms. They formed their own style and culminated for a respective period of time. This trend began to be known as “Art movements”, in all it’s variegated and diversify forms representing their particular era or epoch. For e.g. In 1940, in the soils of New York were born the painters like Pollock, de Kooning, Motherwell, and Kline, who gave to their paintings their own personal expressions defying the original old conventions of the art forms. They also gave new twist and freedom to the usage of their paints, their creativity and thought processes. This movement came to be known as abstract expressionists. Before that in 1920, artists were using straight lines and slender forms. It is commonly known as diverse form of elegant and stylish modernism. In 17th and 18th century, Europe saw Baroque movement in paintings. These paintings were reflecting violence, strong emotions and were characterized by electrifying lighting and colouring and Bernini, Caravaggio and Rubens were among important baroque artists. That moment also came in twentieth century when from the art, there was emerging the feeling of communicative emotions. It originated especially in Germany during 1905 to 1925. Apparently various movements emerged like art nouveau, Ash Can School, Barbizon School, Byzantine, classicism, color conceptual art and several more. (Brain Bank 2004) Since ages, it has been a fervent appeal of human beings to look at their most inner and deepest feelings in the various art forms, whether they are paintings, sculptures, literature, drama, or any form of media. Humans expose their most fervent appeals and their inner most desires and attentions through art and naturally with this they immerse their own religion, faith and culture. In any form of art, we can feel the emotions of its creators emerging in all its vicissitude. They are self-expressive but attached with them is also professionalism approach. So to give them feeling of personal touch and the touch of realism of the world and their society, these various art forms fall under various categories. The studies about Art and Art history are conducted keeping in view numerous methods and approaches to delve into different forms, languages, meaning of works of art of definite period, society or class in which it is produced. The students and all interested in the studies of art in its varied form also take the iconography and various meanings that lay hidden under the various layers of the object, their connection and link with the way they participated and helped in taking shape the changes taking place in the arena of social and economic history within their cultural paradigm. The archeologists and students of art and history of art also take into consideration the economic and social perception of that particular area. It is absolutely true that art objects should be understood in relationship to periods or styles. If we look at the paintings of Herclues and have to find out what is so unique about it, you will look at the way they are dressed up and the other aspects to it like the way they are represented or any symbolic significance they have. In this way, we will try to get into the other versions like Paolo Veronese and then will make a comparison of both of them depicting the way and styles; Hercules’ has made a choice. (University of North Carolina Online edition) The period between 1839-1901 was the most flourishing period of all forms of art. Under Queen Victoria, the social and moral values were the hallmark of the day. Under the patronage of Queen Victoria, art saw the beginning of the new light and dawn of the day, whereby there was every time seen new developments and creativity. Whether it was play, painting, sculpture, architecture, Literature or anything, all were glorified. The Victorian period also gave patronage and importance to the bygone styles in art and wistfully incorporated them into the artistic movements of the day. Not just the paintings, Architecture too predominantly swayed the world in the prism of their unique style and patterns depicting the erstwhile social and cultural life and bestowing nations with the ornaments of crowning glory and Pride. The Medieval cathedrals speak volumes of the enduring Master masons who gave us these unique gifts of Architecture styles in heritage. (Parkelees Architect Ltd. Online Edition) Though there has not been much change in the artistic skills in designs but as soon as there was an advent of Industrial revolution, the technology witnessed continuous change, and the foundation stone of what we called as Modern Architecture was laid. The modern architecture is recognized by its simplification of form and without any ornaments and with absolutely same characteristics. The period that saw the birth of modern architecture was between 1900 and 1940. The styles that came to dominate this architechture were grouped under one umbrella, called as International style. It became most popular among architects in whole twentieth century, specifically was used in institutional and corporate buildings. Modernism was the beginning of a new era in the world of Architect. (Wikipedia 2007). The advent of modernism was the sign of new enlightenment paving the way for whole new development and glory. Many view Modernism as the product of Industrial development. The current that swayed the modern architecture in its stream was nonetheless the Bauhaus movement. It is a German word, which is formed by “bauen” meaning to build and “haus” meaning house, known as Staatliches Bauhaus, which is an art and circus training school in Germany, which survived between the years 1919 to 1933 and in the United States from 1937 to 1938. In 1925, the Bauhaus shifted to Dessau, and then finally in 1932 to Berlin, which was the last place. In the early stages, it used expressionist art, design and architecture, but later developed the functional architecture and started experimenting with the different types of building materials. His main directors were Gropius (1919-28), Hannes Meyer (1928-30), and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1930-33). (Oxborrow, Online edition) These modernistic building were known for their simplicity, novelty, utility, and formality and they formed the basic core of the spread of modernism. The reason of the success of modernism as implied by Francis Heylighen involved certain set of rules, the basic characteristic of Modernism. But they were criticized too on the grounds that their materials could not control the temperature effectively in a glass-walled structure; and if there was an attempt to that then there could occur the waste in energy in a closed building. There is no doubt that there were certain drawbacks in the modernistic approach that the great Architects had emphasized but for the construction industry, the Modernism had been useful for they could construct cheap, minimalist box-like structures without worrying for quality, accommodating human physiological and psychological needs. Thus, a very simple architectural style was advantageous and was major contributing factor for its popularity. These Modernist themes became very popular after the Second World War, when there was an utmost necessity to construct the buildings in very large numbers and at a very low cost. Philip Johnson was the first American architect to adopt the modernism. Before that Roman Catholic Europe in the 17th century reveled in a new artistic style, Baroque, which combined architecture, painting and sculpture in many contexts such as church interiors to create a sense of passionate exuberance. There was a dynamic movement and energy of human forms and these groups of figures assumed new importance in Baroque sculpture. (History World, Online Edition) Gian Lorenzo Bernini, an Italian artist was the greatest sculptor and outstanding architect of his period who created and developed the Baroque style of sculpture. The sculpture, architecture and fountains of Bernini depict highly charged features of Baroque style. This style encompassed multiple viewing angles, concealed lighting and water fountains. He was most valued for his sculpture because of him being virtuous in carving marble and his ability to combine the physical and spiritual attributes while creating figures. (Reviewpainting.com, Online edition) He was also the master of bust portraits, which depict fleeting expressions with acute realism and show a new awareness between head and body relationship. Bernini’s novel sense of shading and sensual awareness of the surface textures of skin and hair marked the emergence of a new period in the history of Western sculpture. Bernini through Baroque style reflected the Catholic Counter Reformation and absolutist monarchies of Europe of the 17th century. (Kren and Marx, Online Edition) Cornaro Chapel in Santa Maria della Vittoria, in Rome is the greatest single example of Bernini's mature and complete work of art. The sculpture of The Ecstasy of St Teresa, built during 1645-1652 is its focal point. Mystical experience of Teresa of Ávila, the great Spanish Carmelite reformer is idealized in it. This sculpture portrays genius of baroque style with blending of religious and sensual feelings though it was intensely offensive to neoclassical and later to intolerant Victorians. Bernini was not satirizing on the experience of chaste nun rather sculpted in marble, a complex truth about religious experience. Bernini's depiction about Theresa description of her bodily reaction to spiritual enlightenment in a language of ecstasy is earnest. (Reviewpainting.com, Online edition). Another example of his is Bernini’s Palazzo Berberini, churches in Castelgandolfo and Ariccia and a church of Sant'Andrea al Quirinale portray the signs of classic and Renaissance art. The other spectacular creations of Bernini among others include the Throne of St Peter, and Francesco I d'Este, Santa Bibiana, Angels on the Ponte Sant'Angelo and Beata Ludovica Albertoni. (Cigola, Online edition) Literature in the form of novels, plays, dramas etc. since the centuries saw the respective changes with the change of the period of time depicting the society and culture in its various forms and styles. For Literature too, the Victorian age had been one of the greatest period in the history of England and an era of unprecedented growth of literary genius reflecting in their works social upheavals, political consciousness, material affluence, democratic reforms, scientific and industrial progress and religious uncertainty of the contemporary society. The age was visualized as an era of startling revelation of discrepancies between men and women. Women were relegated to a lower place and were expected to cultivate domestic virtues, rear up children and look after home and hearth. Women were regarded as inferior to men and Mrs. Ellis in the Women of England outlined the role of woman as that of servant of the male members of the society. They were not allowed to vote or sue for their own property. Several novelists and poets under the reign of Queen Victoria captured these intense moments of women trying to remove the restrictions imposed upon them by the Victorian society Between 16th and 17th century, the poets and poetries depicted the society in a didactic or satirical vein. Alexander Pope and Oscar Wilde were the greatest writers of their ages. Alexander Pope (1688-1744) was an English Poet born in 16th century. Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) was an Irish play writer and since childhood was taught by mother to take the “life as a performance”, and gave to the world ridiculous situations in a very comic and witty manner applying the satire in all its ways. By all these examples, we can very well see the different perceptions in the way art had been dealt and are being dealt. Now with the advent of modernism, there also arose on the scene the formation of photography, films, performance art, conceptual art and video art. Now to consider whether this is a piece of art amplifies the study of artistic merit or literary merit. This work of art may also be called as an ‘objet d'ar’ which is a French phrase that literally means art object with accentuated artistic value. Now with the advent of modernism, we are also enjoying the various forms of art like photography, films, performance art, conceptual art and video art and is being considered as art objects but involving the set of beliefs known as the formalists analysis and these analysis yielding several art movements such as internet at and algorithmic art. In this artistic theory, formalism accentuated the worker’s artistic value is considered by the way it is created and the effects it has generated. Formalism also involves the colours used, the shape in which they are created, texture they are applied. The formalism as a theory in the art owes its existence to Plato, who pinpointed that eidos or shape, involved our thinking about that object and also how our senses and our human mind perceive it in all in its form. According to Plato, “Eidos included elements of representation and imitation.” But on the other hand he also stated that eidos is deceptive. In 1890, Maurice Denis, a painter of Post-impressionists reign said in his article, “'Definition of Neo-Traditionism' that a painting is especially a flat surface that is covered by colours and is formed in a specific order. Denis implied that the painting or sculpture or drawing gave pleasure to the mind. Further Bloomsbury writer Clive Bell too wrote in his 1914 book , Art, that there is a difference between the art objects actual form and its significant form. (Wikipedia, 2007) Bell looks at the work of art not as a representative perspective but for him art reveals the inner essence of its creator and creation itself. Bell's theory goes back to the Aristotle age who said that for him dog is an animal is not as important as considering dog as a Dalmatian or an Irish wolfhound. So Bell always laid more emphasis on the art as a medium to express the essence of being, and not as an outward appearance. (Wikipedia, 2007). In the remaining of the 20th century, thought artists began to visualize the art as a form of deep expression and a sensuous perception but slowly and slowly, the European artists began to relish the art form as a thing ontological, metaphysical or a mere object and termed it as a “structure”. And they began to give art some meaning of life and incorporated in it the various social perceptions. They began to realize that its the knowledge that can bring out the art in its various facets and it is the mental process of the various that can give the art its true essence and life. In 1940, Clement Greenberg too echoes the same views by stating that art should be visualized and assessed in its form and it is the concept that carries the art to the multitude hearts. The concept of Formalism continued till today and has evolved through out the 20th century. Some of them wanted to describe the art the platonic way depicting the art in not its true self but false representation of the facts. Formalists of today maneuvered the various elements in the art including their aesthetic ideologies and feelings. The Poems gives spiritual touch to the human soul, plays are generally satire, sculptures depicts our history, paintings incorporate all aspects of human life in its various colours and shapes, but it is not hard and fast rule. This is what majority of the artists performs. Art can be anything and everything. It is how the artist gives shape to the art that matters and that counts. With all these historical perspectives we come to the notion that we have to understand the art objects in its relationship to its different periods or styles? It is also true that art is universal and is beyond the confines of the particular time, period and culture and every one looks at the art with the greatest desire, keen eyes and for salvation of their souls. Therefore if we go by this perception we come to conclusion that no art object exists outside these categories, but this is partially truth, as people look at the art objects for the salvation of their souls but if we have to study the art objects then we have to study it in its relation to its different periods and style, as they have been formed in their respective periods and in their various styles and forms. REFERENCE LIST Brain Bank. 2004 Art Movements and Periods. 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