Week eight
Lonac
Lonac is a street artist from Croatia. I was introduced to his work by a mutual friend last Summer while visiting Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik, Croatia. His hyper-realistic paintings and murals on buildings and walls show amazing detail.
Art Criticism
Paul Signac, 1890, Portrait of Félix Fénéon
Signac decided to study painting after visiting an exhibit featuring the works of Claude Monet. Monet was a big influence on him throughout his career. Another great influence on Signac was Georges Seurat. Seurat became his mentor and together they became the founders of “pointillism” and the neo-impressionism movement. They used small points of color to establish organization and shape.
In this portrait of his friend Félix Fénéon, an art critic who is credited for coining the term “neo-impressionism, Signac used his trademark pointillism style to create a larger work. At the time of this painting, Signac and Fénéon were both members of a group of anarchists. This painting was considered a symbol of the movement. (116)
What are your potential biases in evaluating this chosen artwork? At least 50 words. 3 points.
I have been to the Mussee D’orsay, and my favorite section were the neo-impressionists, many of whom were inspired by Paul Signac and George Seurat’s new style of “Pointillism” in the late 1800’s. Knowing before I evaluated this painting that he was instrumental in founding the style may have created some bias coming into the process. (55)
Can any this chapter learning be applied to your life, family, community and career? At least 50-words. (2 points)
I don’t believe so. Again, I am an extremely literal person. If I learn how to apply an art criticism theory to evaluating art, that is the only aspect of my life I will likely apply the knowledge. I cannot foresee an occasion when I would be able to apply this information to any other end. (57)
Note: All the writing part needs to add word count at the end (2 points).
Select 5 terms at the end of the chapter
Art Criticism: Process of using formal analysis, description and interpretation to evaluate or explain the qualities and meanings of art.
Contextual Theory: Method of art criticism that focuses on the cultural symbols being works of art; these may be economic, racial, political or social.
Expressive Theory: Method of Art criticism that attempts to discern personal elements in works of art, as opposed to formal strategies or cultural influence.
Formal Theory: Method of art criticism that values stylistic innovation over personal expression or cultural communication (84)
What are the 3 basic art criticism theories?
Three Theories
Contextual Theory, Expressive Theory, and Formal Theory
