Terms, concepts, movements

Question 1

Abstract expressionism + 3 approaches to abstract expressionism

Question 2

Academic art

Answer 2

Academic art refers to the style of art that adheres to the traditional standards and techniques taught in formal art academies, particularly those that were prominent from the 17th to the 19th centuries. The term often carries the notion of classical ideals, focusing on realistic representation, precise technique, and often adhering to established rules of composition, perspective, and proportion.

Question 3

Action painting

Question 4

Anthropocene

Question 5

Avant-garde + criteria

Answer 5

• Trailblazers, pioneers
• Short-lived
• Comes from military parlance.
  -“understands itself as invading unknown territory, exposing itself to the dangers of sudden, shocking encounters, conquering an as yet unoccupied future.” (Habermas)
• Critical, transformative
• “at odds with the separation between art and politics or between aesthetics and everyday experience

Question 6

Cold War

Question 7

Collage

Answer 7

Collage is an art technique that involves assembling different materials, such as paper, fabric, photographs, or found objects, onto a surface (typically a canvas or paper) to create a new artwork. The word “collage” comes from the French word “coller,” meaning “to glue,” which reflects the process of pasting materials together.

Question 8

Combine

Question 9

Conceptual art + Characteristics

Answer 9

Conceptual art is an art movement that emerged in the 1960s, focusing on the idea or concept behind the artwork rather than the traditional aesthetic or material qualities of the work itself. Conceptual artists believed that the concept or intellectual content of the artwork should be the primary focus, and often used text, instructions, and other non-traditional materials to convey their ideas. The movement sought to challenge the commercial art world and the notion that art must be a physical object for appreciation.

Question 10

Constructivism

Answer 10

Constructivism was an early-20th-century art and architectural movement that emerged in Russia around 1915, primarily associated with artists like Vladimir Tatlin, El Lissitzky, and Alexander Rodchenko. It was a response to the traditional, decorative styles of art, seeking to integrate art with everyday life and functionality, often with a focus on social, political, and industrial progress. Constructivists rejected the notion of art for art’s sake, and instead emphasized art’s potential to serve society, especially in the context of the Russian Revolution and the rise of communism

Question 11

Contemporary art, according to Terry Smith (2019)

Question 12

Cubism

Answer 12

Cubism is an art movement that started in the early 20th century, led by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. It broke away from traditional perspective by depicting objects from multiple angles at once, using geometric shapes like cubes, spheres, and cones. The art often looks fragmented and abstract, focusing more on structure than realistic detail. There are two main phases: Analytical Cubism (muted colors, broken-down forms) and Synthetic Cubism (brighter colors, collage, and mixed media). Cubism revolutionized art by showing multiple perspectives in one image.

Question 13

Dada

Question 14

Deep time

Question 15

Dripping (Pollock’s abstract expressionist technique)

Answer 15

this method involves dripping or pouring paint onto a canvas, often placed on the floor. Pollock used brushes, sticks, or even his hands to create dynamic, spontaneous, and chaotic compositions, allowing the paint to flow freely and unpredictably. This technique emphasized the physical act of painting, with Pollock viewing it as an expression of emotion and energy, rather than a focus on the final image.

Question 16

Environmental art

Question 17

Expressionism

Question 17

Fetish

Question 18

Futurism

Question 19

Happening

Question 19

Impressionism

Answer 19

Impressionism is a 19th-century art movement that captured fleeting moments with loose brushstrokes, vibrant colors, and an emphasis on light. Instead of fine details, artists focused on movement and atmosphere, often painting outdoor scenes to show changing light and everyday life.

• less rigid representation approximates a reality in movement
• Ethereal elements are more so present
• Approach to painting wasn’t just a rebellion against the academy it was also informed by modern developments in science and optics (understanding that colour is not inherent to objects and that we see colour in relation to light, colour is also fleeting)

Question 19

Land art

Question 20

Minimalism

Question 21

Modern art

Answer 21

• Rebellion (Artists rejected the authority of art academies)
• Academies controlled salons (exhibition platforms) for alumni of art academies: Rejecting that platform means rejecting self promotion and sponsorship
• Move away from classicism

Question 21

Modernity

Question 22

Modernization

Question 23

Neoclassicism

Answer 23

- Goal was to create a realistic image - A lifelike representation of reality - 18th- and early 19th-century art movement that revived the ideals of ancient Greece and Rome, - emphasizing order, simplicity, harmony, and realism. It reacted against the extravagance of Baroque and Rococo styles, - focusing on clean lines, balanced compositions, and heroic themes.

Question 24

Neo-dada

Answer 24

Neo-Dada is a 1950s-60s art movement that mixed everyday objects, irony, and randomness to challenge traditional art. Inspired by Dada, it blurred the line between art and life, using collage, found materials, and experimental techniques.

Question 25

Performance

Answer 25

Performance art is an art form where the artist uses their body, actions, and presence as the medium, often incorporating elements of theater, dance, and visual art. It emphasizes the experience over the final product, and can be live, interactive, or even temporary

Question 26

Pop art

Answer 26

Pop art is a mid-20th-century art movement that drew inspiration from popular culture, mass media, and consumerism. It used bright colors, bold imagery, and everyday objects (like comic strips and advertisements) to challenge traditional art and celebrate modern life. Key artists include Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.

Question 27

Post-impressionism

Answer 27

Post-Impressionism is a late-19th-century art movement that developed from Impressionism but went further by focusing on emotion, structure, and symbolic content. Artists used vibrant colors and innovative techniques, often with more emphasis on personal expression and subjective interpretations of the world. Key figures include Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, and Georges Seurat.

Question 28

Primitivism

Answer 28

Primitivism: A complex network of sociological, ideological, aesthetic, scientific, anthropological, political and legal interests which feed into and determine a culture. - As a discourse, according to Foucault, a relationship of power: Those within Western society who analyze, teach, paint or reproduce a view of the primitive would, by this activity, be dominating, restructuring and having authority over that which they define as primitive - In the late 20th century the term primitive has been described as Eurocentric, as revealing a western-centred view of an alien culture

Question 29

Ready-made

Question 30

Russian Revolution

Question 31

Site-specificity

Question 32

Socialist realism

Answer 32

Socialist Realism is an art movement that emerged in the Soviet Union in the 1930s, focusing on depicting idealized, optimistic portrayals of socialist life and the working class. The style emphasized clear, realistic images with heroic, uplifting themes meant to promote the values of communism and support the state’s ideology.

Question 33

Suprematism

Answer 33

Suprematism is an early-20th-century art movement founded by Kazimir Malevich, focusing on basic geometric shapes, especially squares and circles, and the use of pure abstraction. The movement emphasized the supremacy of pure feeling and visual language over representational art, aiming to transcend reality and convey spiritual truths through non-objective forms.

Question 34

Surrealism

Answer 34

Surrealism is a 20th-century art movement that sought to express the unconscious mind, dreams, and the irrational through bizarre, imaginative, and often disjointed imagery. It aimed to challenge logic and explore hidden realities beyond everyday experience. Key artists include Salvador Dalí, René Magritte, and Max Ernst.

Question 35

The French academy

Answer 35

set the standards for artistic training and exhibited works that aligned with neoclassical ideals. It played a major role in shaping the careers of artists and determining which styles and subjects were deemed acceptable in France, particularly in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Question 36

The Paris Salon

Answer 36

The Paris Salon was an official art exhibition in France, from the 18th century until the early 20th century. It was organized by the French Academy and became the most important venue for artists to showcase their work. The Salon was highly influential, often determining which artists would gain recognition and success. It featured a range of styles, from classical to more contemporary works, and was a key event in shaping the art world in France during its time

Question 37

Uncanny

Question 38

Video art

Answer 38

Video art is an art form that uses video technology as a medium for creative expression. Emerging in the 1960s and 70s, it often involves experimental techniques and can include elements like live footage, animation, and interactive installations. Unlike traditional film, video art focuses on exploring the medium itself and often challenges conventional storytelling, sometimes with an emphasis on social, political, or personal themes. Artists like Nam June Paik and Bill Viola were pioneers of this genre.

Question 38

World War I

Answer 38

Dada Movement: Emerging as a direct response to the chaos of World War I, Dada rejected traditional art forms, embracing absurdity, randomness, and anti-war sentiments. Dada artists, like Marcel Duchamp and Hannah Höch, used collage, ready-mades, and performance to challenge societal norms and the idea that art should have a clear meaning. Surrealism: Rooted in Dada, Surrealism began in the early 1920s, led by André Breton. Surrealists sought to tap into the unconscious mind, dreams, and the irrational. The brutality of the war, along with the psychological scars it left on individuals, led many artists to explore the depths of the mind, often producing unsettling and dreamlike imagery. Artists like Salvador Dalí and Max Ernst were heavily influenced by the psychological trauma and upheaval of the war.

Question 39

World War II